The 2018 Sonata Earns Highest Safety Rating by IIHS

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai is one of the leading brands for Top Safety Pick+ and Top Safety Pick awards in 2018, with a total of seven models being recognized. The all-new 2018 Hyundai Sonata has earned the highest safety rating by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) with a Top Safety Pick+ rating when equipped with optional Automatic Emergency Braking and LED headlights with Dynamic Bending Lights on vehicles built after September 2017, along with the recently announced Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport. Today's announcement marks a total of three Hyundai vehicles attaining this significant safety achievement. Additionally, five Hyundai models were previously recognized for 2018 Top Safety Pick, including the Hyundai's Ioniq Hybrid, Elantra, Elantra GT, Sonata and Tucson.

"Hyundai recognizes the importance in providing affordable, appealing and high quality products with an underlying commitment to safety," said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "The innovations we are implementing for crash protection and prevention have all positively enhanced the safety of our products."

To qualify for the Top Safety Pick award, vehicles must have good ratings in five IIHS crashworthiness tests — small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints, an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and an acceptable or good headlight rating. For the Top Safety Pick+ designation, vehicles must also gain an acceptable or good rating in passenger-side small overlap front tests and improved headlight rating. Features which helped these vehicles garner these recognitions included (but were not limited to) optional front-crash prevention, specific headlights and excellent performances in IIHS track tests at various speeds.

In buyer studies, Blind Spot Detection is a top safety feature that consumers want, and the 2018 Sonata comes standard with 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 drivers spending a minimal amount of time in reverse, one-quarter of all accidents happen when someone is backing up. BSD with RCTA helps drivers determine when the road behind them is clear. Furthermore, there's also a new Lane Departure Warning system with an enhanced Lane Keep Assist function available.

Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America is focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience grounded in design leadership, engineering excellence and exceptional value in every vehicle we sell. Hyundai's technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance—our promise to deliver peace of mind to our customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide and the majority sold in the U.S. are built at U.S. manufacturing facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.

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