The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 has been awarded the prestigious TOP SAFETY PICK+ status, outperforming its stablemates, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Sonata, thanks to its superior performance in the latest safety evaluations by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The electric small SUV excelled particularly in the updated moderate overlap front test, crucial for achieving the top-tier safety designation.
To qualify for the TOP SAFETY PICK+ this year, vehicles must secure at least an acceptable rating in the updated moderate overlap front test. The Ioniq 5 not only met this criterion but also provided outstanding protection for rear passengers, maintaining a safe distance between the dummy’s head and the front seatback, with sensors indicating a low risk of significant injuries.
Conversely, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Sonata received the lower-tier TOP SAFETY PICK award, hindered by their marginal and poor ratings, respectively, in the same test. The Santa Fe, a midsize SUV, showed deficiencies in back seat protection, with the second-row restraints allowing potential for head and neck injuries. The midsize Sonata car exhibited similar issues, with a higher probability of injuries noted for rear occupants.
Despite these setbacks in the moderate overlap front test, all three Hyundai models performed admirably in other IIHS safety evaluations. This includes good ratings in the small overlap front and updated side tests, as well as the necessary headlight ratings—good across all trims for the Sonata, and acceptable for the Santa Fe. The Ioniq 5 offers both acceptable and good headlight options.
Moreover, the revised pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation, which consolidates former daytime and nighttime tests into a single, comprehensive assessment, saw the Santa Fe and Sonata’s standard systems receiving good ratings, while the Ioniq 5’s system was deemed acceptable.
Hyundai’s commitment to safety across its lineup is evident, though the varying performances in the latest IIHS tests highlight the challenges and discrepancies between models. As Hyundai continues to refine its safety features, the Ioniq 5 sets a high standard for its siblings to aspire to.
