The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has upgraded the 2018 Hyundai Kona to a Top Safety Pick+, after the automaker began offering LED projector headlights to limit glare for oncoming drivers in May, the institute has announced.

In late June, the institute gave the model good ratings based on the subcompact SUV's performance in five crash tests. Since that announcement, the institute tested the 2018 Kona in its new passenger-side overlap front crash test, where the model scored a good rating.

Hyudai Kona models built after May helped the model achieve the top award. The LED lights are available on Limited and Ultimate trim grades. The Ultimate trim's headlights also feature high-beam assist, a feature that automatically switches between high beams and low beams depending on the presence of other vehicles.

The institute rated the base halogen headlights of Konas built before June as poor because they provide inadequate visibility.