Sept. 28, 2015—The 2016 Hyundai Tucson and the 2016 Sonata have both earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. This is the first time the Tucson has received the honor.
IIHS rates vehicles for occupant protection based on performance in five tests: moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints. Winners of the 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award must earn good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as either a good or acceptable rating in the small overlap front test. Vehicles also must have an available front crash prevention system with an advanced or superior rating.
"Hyundai's redesign of the Tucson earns the 2016 model our top rating in the small overlap front test, and the Sonata retains its acceptable rating," said David Zuby, IIHS chief research officer. "Both vehicles have an available front crash prevention system that earns a superior rating in the IIHS autobrake test, a key criteria to qualify for a TOP SAFETY PICK+ award."
"Hyundai's commitment to occupant safety is paramount throughout our entire lineup," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Corporate and Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "We strive to develop technologies that assist in avoiding crashes all together, like forward collision warning, lane departure warning and emergency brake assist, and are pleased the Tucson and Sonata have received these awards related to occupant protection when collisions do occur."
Multiple options for advanced safety technology are available on the 2016 Tucson, including AEB with pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Warning System, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Backup Warning Sensors and a standard rearview camera. The new Tucson’s structure is over 50 percent high-strength steel and also features a standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that alerts drivers if one or more tires are under-inflated.
Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Sonata lineup includes Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control System, seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, four-wheel disc brakes and ABS with Electronic Brake-force distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with indicators for each tire. Options including Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Smart Cruise Control with spot/start capability, Rear Parking Sensors, Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross-traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist and Forward Collision Warning (FCW).
