In one of the automotive industry’s most recognized and rigorous vehicle tests, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport have been awarded 2018 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recognition. In addition, Hyundai’s Ioniq Hybrid, Elantra, Elantra GT, Sonata and Tucson models were Top Safety Pick award winners.
“Hyundai was one of the leading brands for Top Safety Pick+ and Top Safety Pick awards in 2018,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, corporate and product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “The safety of our customers and their loved ones is paramount in our thinking when we design new vehicles.”
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.
“We raised the safety bar for 2018,” said Adrian Lund, IIHS president. “Now vehicles have to achieve an even higher level of safety. Our Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards help consumers zero in on the vehicles with the best overall performance for crash prevention and protection.”
