The 2018 Kia Rio is the latest model to receive the highest safety rating “Top Safety Pick+” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), when it’s equipped with the front crash prevention system and its updated LED headlights.

2018 Kia Rio 5-Door Review

In order to receive the Top Safety Pick+ rating, a vehicle has to receive good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, plus it also has to receive an acceptable or good rating in the passenger-side small overlap test. Lastly a vehicle must also be available with a front crash prevention system that earns an advanced or superior rating and headlights that earn a good rating.

2018 Kia Rio 5-Door Review

The 2018 Kia Rio received an acceptable rating in the passenger-side test and its optional front crash prevention system earned a superior rating.

The new LED headlights that are part of the Technology package received a good rating, but they were dinged, since they produce some glare for drivers of oncoming vehicles and the high beams only provide additional visibility on the left side. The 2018 Rio’s base halogen headlights were rated poor.

Source: IIHS