Safety is one of the biggest factors for many people shopping for a new vehicle, and two familiar SUVs have recently earned recognition for their performance.

The redesigned Kia Telluride and Tesla Model Y have both achieved the highest safety award under the latest testing requirements, reflecting strong results across several important evaluations.

Two Models Reach the Top

The 2027 Kia Telluride and the 2026–27 Tesla Model Y have earned the Top Safety Pick+ designation. The award represents the highest level of recognition in the current safety testing program. Rather than depending on a single crash evaluation, the award considers performance in several areas. Vehicles must demonstrate strong protection in multiple crash tests, provide effective headlights and offer technology designed to help prevent or reduce collisions.

Telluride Benefits From Its Redesign

The Kia Telluride has undergone a major redesign for the 2027 model year. The updated SUV performed well in the crash evaluations required for the highest safety recognition. The Telluride received good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front and side crash tests. Its headlights also achieved a good rating, while its standard systems for detecting potential collisions involving other vehicles and pedestrians performed well.

There is an important production distinction, however. The Top Safety Pick+ recognition applies to Telluride vehicles built after June 2026. Earlier examples were equipped with headlights that received a lower rating, while vehicles produced later received headlights that met the higher requirement. That detail means buyers considering a Telluride should pay attention to the vehicle's production timing rather than assuming every model-year example has exactly the same safety rating.

Model Y Shows Strong Results

The Tesla Model Y also performed strongly following its redesign for the 2026 model year. The updated SUV earned good ratings across the major crash evaluations used in the safety program. Its headlights also achieved a good rating, helping the vehicle satisfy the requirements for the highest award.

Its standard front crash prevention technology performed well in tests involving both other vehicles and pedestrians. These systems are designed to identify potential hazards and help reduce the likelihood or severity of a collision. The results demonstrate that the redesigned Model Y performs consistently across several different aspects of vehicle safety rather than relying on strength in only one category.

What Top Safety Pick+ Requires

The Top Safety Pick+ award has several requirements. A vehicle must perform well in the moderate overlap front, small overlap front and side crash evaluations. Its available headlights must also receive acceptable or good ratings. Another important area is pedestrian front crash prevention. Vehicles need a strong performance in this evaluation, and qualifying technology must be included as standard equipment.

The highest award also considers vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention under the updated testing system. This means the assessment looks at both the ability of the vehicle structure to protect occupants during a crash and the technology designed to help avoid crashes in the first place.

Not Every Vehicle Earns the Award

The latest testing group included seven recently evaluated vehicles. While the Telluride and Model Y reached the highest level, five other models did not qualify for either Top Safety Pick award. Those vehicles included the BMW 3 Series, BMW i4, GMC Canyon crew cab, Lexus IS and Toyota Crown Signia. Their individual results differed between the various evaluations, showing how difficult it can be to achieve the complete combination of requirements.

Why Individual Ratings Matter

For shoppers, the overall award is useful, but individual results can provide additional information. Crash tests, headlights and collision-prevention systems each address different aspects of everyday driving. The testing program also emphasizes that certain crash results should be compared between vehicles of similar weight. This provides a more meaningful way to understand differences in crash performance.

The latest safety results give the redesigned Kia Telluride and Tesla Model Y a strong position among vehicles tested under the current requirements. Both models performed well across crash evaluations, lighting assessments and collision-prevention tests. The Telluride's award comes with a specific production-date qualification, while the redesigned Model Y delivered consistently strong results across the required categories.

For anyone comparing new vehicles, the biggest lesson is that modern safety depends on several elements working together. Crash protection remains important, but lighting and technologies that can help prevent collisions are increasingly significant parts of the overall safety picture.