Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Safety, Hyundai
5 stars all around: Hyundai Genesis aces NHTSA crash tests
Hyundai's all-new Genesis sedan made yet another smashing impression as it pulled-off perfect 5-star ratings in recent U.S. government testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Korean luxury vehicle was sent into a fixed barrier at 35 mph with two crash dummies strapped inside. Once the dust settled, instruments revealed both front seat passengers would have had less than a 10 percent chance of injury -- results earning 5-star ratings. Front and rear seat side impact testing revealed a low probability of injury as well, also earning the car 5-star ratings. In NHTSA rollover testing, the Genesis exhibited less than a 10 percent chance of rollover, again placing it among the top performers in that category. The admirable crash test scores earned by Hyundai's first venture into the luxury segment are sure to give the competition even more sleepless nights, especially considering all that luxury and safety starts at just $33,000.
Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Hyundai Genesis
[Source: Hyundai, Safercar.gov]
PRESS RELEASE
2009 HYUNDAI GENESIS DELIVERS NHTSA FIVE-STAR SAFETY RATINGS
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 08/27/2008 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded five-star crash test ratings, the highest government rankings under the agency's New Car Assessment Program, to the all-new 2009 Hyundai Genesis for both frontal and side-impact crash tests.
"Genesis was engineered with a lightweight but strong body shell, featuring ultra-high tensile steel, laser welding, and advanced adhesive bonding," said John Krafcik, vice president of Strategic Planning and Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. "Add eight airbags and electronic active head restraints and you can see the focus we placed on designing Genesis for occupant safety. These five-star results are just one indication of the dedication Hyundai engineers place on safety."
Maintaining Hyundai's emphasis on delivering leading safety technology, Genesis boasts world-class active and passive safety features that both prevent accidents and maximize the well-being of its occupants in the event of a collision. The Genesis continues the Hyundai tradition of standardizing key life-saving safety technology, with features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), eight airbags and electronic active head restraints.
ESC compares the driver's intended course with the vehicle's actual response. It then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power as needed in certain driving circumstances to help correct understeer or oversteer.
Genesis' eight airbags include advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants.
Hyundai is the first popular brand to offer electronic active front head restraints, a standard feature on the 2009 Genesis, which are an improvement over mechanically-based active head restraint systems. Until now, electronic active head restraints could only be found on select Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus models. Active front head restraints have been proven by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to help prevent whiplash.
Genesis is brought to a halt by large four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). The V6 models feature 12.6-inch front rotors with single-piston floating calipers, while the V8 models feature 13-inch front rotors with four-piston calipers. All models are equipped with 12.4-inch rear rotors.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through 800 dealerships nationwide.
NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
NHTSA is dedicated to achieving the highest standards of excellence in motor vehicle and highway safety. The agency strives to exceed the expectations of its customers through its core values of Integrity, Service and Leadership. NHTSA provides leadership to the motor vehicle and highway safety community through the development of innovative approaches to reducing motor vehicle crashes and injuries.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Franz 1:35PM (8/28/2008)
Kudos. This car seems to have all the bases covered.
Reply
Torrent 2:33PM (8/28/2008)
I never thought the perfect sedan would be a Hyundai.
WhyNotTheC63? 3:02PM (8/28/2008)
They have imitated Mercedes with perfection on this car. Good for them. I hate it when dramatically large styling cues are ripped off another manufacturer, but if it's not all stolen looks and there is some substance, more power to them. I will additionally give kudos on this one. Good work Hyundai, I'm very impressed.
Flashpoint 3:02PM (8/28/2008)
I've been to the dealer. The Genesis with the Technology package is fantastic (with V6 or with V8) simply because it is a benchmark (read: copy) of the Lexus and BMW3/5
The car is a great "luxury" driver but, its got almost no "sport" in it despite its looks.
For $40,000 you can't beat this deal with a stick.
My only problem would be the "brand consciousness" which would have me change its grill and rip its exterior badges off.
If you're willing to pay a little more (about $4000) you can get a Lincoln MKS with the same features as a loaded Genesis.
Flashpoint 3:15PM (8/28/2008)
the one place Hyundai went wrong with this car wash the dashboard. Having L.E.D clocks and painted plastic buttons high up for everyone to see just screams cheap.
They got the i'drive clone controller right but they shoulda pulled a Mercedes Benz and put less buttons up there. Move them down.
jsjs 3:44PM (8/28/2008)
The derivative-styling was done on purpose since it would be doubly difficult for buyers to accept that it is a Hyundai AND a new design-element at the same time.
BMW can get away w/ its “Bangled” designs.
Infiniti, Lexus and Acura all started w/ derivative and shall we say, bland designs (the Genesis is quite handsome compared to the early designs of the Japanese trio).
Of the three, only Infiniti has done well (for the most part) in establishing a pleasing design
WhyNot – the Genesis is more BMW than MB design-wise, but then again, so are many of the other makes these days (Infiniti, Lexus, the Honda Accord, etc. have all borrowed BMW’s C-pillar “kink”).
Flashpoint – can’t really compare the MKS to the Genesis (totally for 2 different types of drivers). Btw, Edmunds just gave a scathing review of the MKS.
And I agree, Hyundai does need to change/improve the dash for the mid-design refresh.
iSpec 1:46PM (8/28/2008)
This really isn't a surprise. Hyundai is a seriously ambitious automaker with R&D money spent to prove it.
Reply
Brian W 10:39PM (8/28/2008)
It's almost like they copy everyone else's designs and build them in a cheap country and then dump them in other markets.
How do they do it!!!! Amazing!!!!
C.W. 1:48PM (8/28/2008)
it's still an extremely vanilla and bland car.
Reply
Erik 2:02PM (8/28/2008)
Agreed for sure, but in the luxo-barge business, vanilla/bland sells. Witness #1 Lexus. Unfortunatly for Hyundai, one of the biggest things luxury buyers are after is the badge on the front, and a flying H just doesn't send the same message a blue and white propeller or 3 pointed star does.
Geeky1 2:08PM (8/28/2008)
Perhaps, but it could be worse. It could have Toyota/Lexus levels of vanilla and bland. Thankfully, from the articles I've read at least, it doesn't appear to have crossed that line between "car" and "transportation appliance".
homunculus 2:52PM (8/28/2008)
it could definitely use some bangle flames and bumps, maybe some fender vents...
on second thought, how about they keep it handsome and inoffensive, along with capable.
Carlos 3:12PM (8/28/2008)
Even worse it could have Honda levels of vanilla and then you're more into the sweet cream than vanilla.
jsjs 3:49PM (8/28/2008)
Not as bland as Lexus, Acura (well, Acura before the new horrendous grilles) and even Mercedes nowadays.
Heck, while I like Audi's "Bahaus" design-style, many find Audi models to be on the bland side.
Only BMW and the CTS aren't "bland" and let's just say those designs are "love it or hate it".
kintu 1:48PM (8/28/2008)
Kudos to hyundai for having done its homework right.
Reply
Red 1:53PM (8/28/2008)
At 4,000-something odd pounds, it had better have gotten 5 stars...
Reply
SimbaDogg 3:20PM (8/28/2008)
i can name you plenty of 4000+ cars that dont get crash ratings as good as this. Travel in a large vehicle doesn't necessarily mean you're safe
jsjs 3:53PM (8/28/2008)
Poorly designed 4,000 lbs don't mean much w/ regard to crash tests, esp. on side-impacts where there isn't much metal/material btwn the passenger and whatever is causing the impact.
And safety features such as electronic active front head restraints don't have anything to do w/ size/weight.
gtdrifter 5:56PM (8/28/2008)
case in point: GM's U-body Minivans from the 90s (Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana) with terrifying offset crash test results.
I wonder how the Genesis will do in IIHS. Frankly every cars these days seem to have a rating of 'Good'.
John Johnson 1:54PM (8/28/2008)
I'm glad they did this car properly and didn't try to make something that will sell and fall apart in 3 years.
Reply