In this year's automobile safety ratings released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Hyundai Motor Ioniq 9 and Palisade, Nexo, and Kia EV4 received an overall grade of Level 1. These vehicles scored high in both crash safety and crash prevention performance.
On the 17th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TS) Automobile Safety Research Institute released the "2025 Korea New Car Assessment Program (KNCAP) results" with these findings. KNCAP is a government-led program that evaluates vehicle safety through tests stricter than legal standards.
This year's assessment covered a total of 11 models: six electric vehicles, two hybrids, two internal combustion engine vehicles, and one hydrogen electric vehicle. Grades were assigned by adding scores across three areas: crash safety, external pedestrian safety, and crash prevention safety.
The four models that earned an overall Level 1 grade are Hyundai Ioniq 9, Palisade, Nexo, and Kia EV4. BMW iX2, KGM Musso EV, and Kia Tasman received Level 2. Honda CR-V was Level 3, BYD Atto 3 and Tesla Model 3 were Level 4, and Ford Explorer was rated Level 5.
This year's assessment was carried out to reflect public concerns over sudden acceleration crashes and electric vehicle fires. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) introduced a new "misapplied pedal prevention device assessment" to reduce sudden acceleration crashes caused by pedal misapplication. An event data recorder assessment was also included for the first time to analyze crash causes.
Electric vehicle safety assessment was also strengthened. A new "post-crash egress and rescue safety assessment" was applied to prevent situations in which doors remain locked after a collision, making it difficult for occupants to escape.
In the battery management system (BMS) safety function assessment conducted separately for electric vehicles, the Ioniq 9, Musso EV, EV4, and Tesla Model 3 received four stars. The BYD Atto 3 received three stars, and the BMW iX2 recorded two stars.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) plans to hold a New Car Assessment Program conference in Seoul on the day and present awards to high-rated vehicles. Kim Hong-mok, director general of the Mobility and Automobile Bureau at the ministry, said, "We will continue to strengthen assessments of electric vehicle battery safety and responses to sudden acceleration crashes," adding, "We will improve the system so that automakers build safer vehicles."