Hyundai Receives Excellent Safety Ratings

Car manufacturers have always been concerned with the safety that their vehicles offer to their consumers. The government is likewise involved in making sure that vehicles released into the market offer good protection.

To inform car buyers of the relative safety of mass produced vehicles, a government agency tests the safety of cars in the market. Testing these vehicles falls under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) jurisdiction. Recently, the government agency performed safety tests on 2007 model year vehicles. Sixty-three vehicles from different car manufacturers were tested and among the models which received favorable ratings are three vehicles from the Korean brand Hyundai.

The NHTSA awarded the 2007 model year version of the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Veracruz five star ratings and these are for both in frontal and side impact crash tests. Another Hyundai model for 2007 that received a favorable rating is the Hyundai Elantra which was awarded a five star rating for frontal crash protection. The Veracruz is also awarded a four star rating in rollover tests.

These results show that Hyundai not only produce economy and high performance vehicles but it shows that these cars that they create are safe.

The tests conducted by the government agency involve the testing of different types of body styles of vehicles. SUVs, passenger cars, pickup trucks, vans and small cars are tested under the agency’s New Car Assessment Program which aims to inform customers of the protection that new car offers.

The Hyundai Veracruz got its five-star ratings for both front and side crash tests, thanks to its advanced safety systems. The full size crossover utility vehicle has the following standard safety features: Electronic Stability Control, Anti-lock Brake System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, head restraints, and airbags. The ABS with EBD provides good stopping power for the huge vehicle while the head restraint prevents severe injuries to the head in cases of crashes.

Airbags cover pretty much every area of the interior of the vehicles. The five star rating shows that the front bumper with the billet grille does not only look good but it also absorbs impact efficiently.

The Hyundai Santa Fe, the midsize crossover utility vehicle, is also equipped with standard safety features like a complete lineup of airbags and head restraints. Due to its ESP or electronic stability program, it achieved a four-star rating for rollover protection. The Hyundai Elantra outperformed the Toyota Prius in terms of safety when it achieved a five-star frontal and four-star side impact protection from the government agency.

Like the Veracruz and the Santa Fe, the Elantra is also equipped with a full lineup of airbags and there are six of them to be exact. This consists of two advanced front airbags, two side-impact airbags, and two side curtain airbags. This complete lineup of airbags protects every occupant of the vehicle in cases of collisions.