Kia Niro Hybrid Earns Top Safety Pick+

The 2018 Kia Niro gasoline-electric hybrid has qualified for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest safety rating, the Top Safety Pick+, when equipped with optional automatic emergency braking and high-intensity discharge headlights.

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

June 20, 2018

Kia Niro Hybrid Earns Top Safety Pick+ — The 2018 Kia Niro has been awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest rating.
Photo courtesy of IIHS.

1 min to read

The Niro earned good ratings across the board in IIHS crash tests, including the passenger-side small overlap front test. The good ratings also apply to the plug-in hybrid Niro. Hyundai introduced the subcompact SUV in the 2017 model year.

The frontal crash prevention is optional on the regular hybrid and standard on the plug-in model. The system helped the vehicle avoid collisions in 12 mph and 25 mph tests. The vehicle also includes a forward collision warning that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.

The base headlights on both versions earned a poor rating, while the HID headlights available on higher trim grades are rated as good. The institute didn't rate the LED headlights available on the plug-in model.

Related: 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid (driving notes)

Topics:Gasoline-Electric Hybrids Kia Niro IIHS IIHS Top Safety Pick+2018-MY Crash Tests Safety

More Safety

Safe Driving on Halloween over spooky fall road

Safety•by Staff•October 25, 2026

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night

This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.

Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 22, 2026

IIHS Crash Avoidance Tests Reveal Safety Gaps in Cargo Vans and Work Trucks

New IIHS crash avoidance ratings show uneven performance among cargo vans and heavy-duty pickups, with most struggling to avoid vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.

Safety•by Faith Howell•October 16, 2026

What’s Next for Fleet? Safety, AI & Industry Recognition | AF News Recap

Could your company's culture be encouraging distracted driving? This week, we're exploring how workplace expectations affect driver safety, what AI, EVs, and autonomous vehicles could mean for the future of fleet management, and how fleet professionals can strengthen their award nominations.

a man driving with a cell phone in his hand.

Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 14, 2026

Does Your Fleet's Culture Encourage Distracted Driving?

What happens when the people responsible for enforcing safety rules are the ones setting the wrong example? The answer may reveal why some of the biggest risks to fleet drivers have little to do with what's written in the employee handbook.

Motorq Whitepaper Cover - Fleet Managers Ultimate Playbook

Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity

Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.

An AF news recap thumbnail with a woman pointing at the title "From driver well-being to EV charging"

Safety•by Faith Howell•September 21, 2026

From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap

Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.