Redesigned for the latest model year, the Sonata was awarded the Top Safety Pick+ title after achieving an acceptable rating in the small-overlap test and a good rating in the other trials — moderate overlap, front, side, roof strength and head restraint.
The previous-generation sedan only achieved marginal performance in the challenging small-overlap test. The driver’s space in the latest model was maintained well as the front edge struck a rigid barrier at 40 mph, however the IIHS cautioned that there is still more room for improvement.
“During the test, the safety belt allowed the dummy’s upper body to move too far forward,” the organization said in a statement. “The dummy’s head hit the steering wheel through the airbag, indicating that head injuries would be possible in a real-world crash of this severity.”
The Sonata is the second Hyundai model to earn the highest award for 2014, following the latest-generation Genesis sedan.
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