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The 2018 Hyundai Sonata has earned the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS)’s highest accolade for safety, in one of the industry’s most demanding vehicle tests, thus receiving a 2017 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award when equipped with optional front crash prevention and dynamic bending headlights. The IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award helps consumers select vehicles that offer the highest level of crash protection.
“Above all other things, safety of the occupants is the single most important factor when designing and engineering Hyundai vehicles,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, corporate and digital planning, Hyundai Motor America. “The IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award is a testament to our emphasis on safety at every price point and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with ‘better’ because it is what drives us.”
For 2017, the requirements for TOP SAFETY PICK+ were tightened. To qualify, winners must earn good ratings in each of the Institute’s five crash-worthiness tests – small overlap crash test, moderate overlap crash test, side and roof strength, and head restraint tests – and have an available front crash prevention system earning an advanced or superior rating. Winners must also score no less than an acceptable rating in the headlight test.
For 2018, the Sonata offers, even more, safety features. In addition to seven standard airbags (dual front, side, and curtain, as well as driver’s knee) and a battery of safety systems (VSM, ESC, TCS, ABS, EBD, BA, and TPMS) including Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA). The Sonata is the only midsize car sold with this safety technology as standard equipment.
Despite the fact that drivers spending a tiny amount of time in reverse, one-quarter of all accidents happen when someone is backing up. BSD with RCTA gives drivers peace of mind that the road behind them is clear. Furthermore, there’s also a new Lane Departure Warning system with an enhanced Lane Keep Assist function available.
