Hyundai Safety Standards and Ratings

Hyundai's commitment to safety is reflected in its consistent performance across the two most trusted vehicle safety evaluation programs: the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These agencies conduct rigorous crash tests and safety assessments that help consumers make informed decisions.

The NHTSA evaluates vehicles through frontal, side, and rollover crash tests, assigning a 5-Star rating to models demonstrating superior occupant protection. Popular 2025 models like the Hyundai Palisade and Hyundai Tucson have continued to demonstrate excellence in these government crash tests, confirming their ability to safeguard drivers and passengers during real-world accidents common in areas like Norman and Moore.

The IIHS adds another layer of scrutiny. For 2025, the IIHS introduced even tougher standards, specifically updating the moderate overlap front crash test to include a dummy in the second row, ensuring that rear passengers—often children—are just as protected as the driver. Hyundai rose to this challenge, engineering structural updates for 2025 models (specifically those built after late 2024) to meet these rigorous new demands.

2025 & 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK Awards and What They Mean

The IIHS awards the TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) and TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) designations to vehicles excelling in crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and pedestrian protection. Under the stricter 2025 criteria, Hyundai continues to lead the industry.

2025 & 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ Winners:

• 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 (All-new three-row electric SUV)
• 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe (Midsize SUV, built after Nov. 2024)
• 2025 Hyundai Tucson (Compact SUV)
• 2025 Hyundai Kona (Small SUV)
• 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 & Ioniq 6 (Electric Vehicles)
• 2025 Hyundai Elantra & Sonata (Sedans, built after late 2024)

2025 & 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK Winner:

• 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz (Small Pickup)

These awards are significant because they now require "Good" ratings in the updated side-impact test and the new pedestrian crash prevention tests. For families navigating the busy streets of Oklahoma City, driving a vehicle that has passed these advanced tests offers invaluable peace of mind.

Essential Hyundai Safety Features Protecting You and Your Family

Hyundai's suite of safety technologies, branded as Hyundai SmartSense, equips drivers with active and passive systems designed to prevent accidents before they happen. For 2025, many of these features have been updated with higher sensitivity and new capabilities:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Junction Turning: Now standard on more trims, this system detects potential collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. The "Junction Turning" feature is particularly useful for Midwest City intersections, warning you if it's unsafe to turn left across traffic.
• Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM): Available on models like the Santa Fe and Tucson, this displays a live video feed of your blind spot directly in the instrument cluster when you activate your turn signal—a game-changer for highway merging on I-40 or I-35.
• Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) with Ultrasonic Sensors: Essential for Oklahoma summers, this system reminds drivers before exiting to check the rear seats for pets or children. Advanced versions can even detect movement and sound the horn if someone is accidentally locked inside.
• Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go: Perfect for commuting between Yukon and OKC, this system maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. It can also bring the vehicle to a complete stop and restart it in traffic jams.
• Safe Exit Assist (SEA): This clever feature prevents rear doors from opening if radar detects a vehicle approaching from behind, protecting children from stepping out into traffic.

Top Hyundai Models for Safety in 2025/2026

Different drivers have different needs, and Hyundai's 2025/2026 lineup caters to a broad range of preferences while maintaining exceptional safety standards:

The Family Fortresses:

• 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe: Completely redesigned, the new Santa Fe isn't just boxy and bold—it's an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winner. It has advanced rear-seat airbags and reinforced B-pillars, making it one of the safest choices for families in Guthrie or Edmond.
• 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9: As Hyundai's newest flagship EV, the three-row Ioniq 9 debuts with a Top Safety Pick+ rating, offering the absolute latest in structural safety and autonomous driving assistance tech.

The Daily Commuters:

• 2025 Hyundai Tucson: A consistent Top Safety Pick+ winner, the Tucson offers a perfect balance of size and safety tech, ideal for navigating school drop-off lines in Moore.
• 2025 Hyundai Elantra & Sonata: Both of these sedans earned the highest IIHS honors (for models built after late 2024), featuring standard Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.

The Versatile Adventurers:

• 2025 Hyundai Kona: Small but mighty, the Kona earned the Top Safety Pick+ award, proving that compact SUVs can offer massive protection.
• 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz: The only vehicle in its class to earn a 2025 Top Safety Pick award, this sport adventure vehicle blends the utility of a truck with the safety of a modern SUV.

For those interested in exploring these models, browse our new Hyundai inventory or check out quality pre-owned Hyundai vehicles to find the perfect safe ride for your family.

Comprehensive Local Support for Your Hyundai's Safety and Maintenance

Owning a Hyundai in the Oklahoma City metro area means you're supported by a dedicated team at Joe Cooper Hyundai of Midwest City, located at 6601 Se 29th St, Midwest City, OK 73110 . Our comprehensive service department, staffed with factory-trained technicians, ensures your vehicle's safety systems and components are maintained to the highest standards.

Routine maintenance like brake inspections, tire rotations, and sensor calibrations are essential to keep advanced safety features functioning optimally. Scheduling is simple through our Service Scheduler , designed for quick and hassle-free appointments tailored to your schedule.

When replacement parts are needed, trust our Parts Request Page to provide genuine OEM Hyundai components that maintain your vehicle's integrity and performance. Whether you drive a Hyundai Tucson in Norman or a Santa Fe in Moore, our team is ready to help you keep your vehicle as safe as the day you drove it home.

If you're considering upgrading, use our Trade Valuation Page to get a real-time offer for your current vehicle's value in under 30 seconds. Our experts are available to assist if you believe your vehicle is worth more, ensuring you get the best value toward your next Hyundai.