2009 Hyundai Genesis named Top Safety Pick by IIHS

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – March 19, 2009: The "2009 North American Car of the Year" Hyundai Genesis sedan bolstered its resume with a "TOP SAFETY PICK" rating from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Hyundai's all-new flagship earned a "good" overall evaluation in side impact, frontal offset and rear crash tests, the highest ranking awarded by the Institute.

Maintaining Hyundai's emphasis on delivering leading safety technology, Genesis boasts world-class active and passive safety features to help both prevent accidents and maximise the wellbeing of its occupants in the event of a collision. The Genesis includes standard features like ESP Stability Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), eight airbags and electronic active head restraints.

To qualify for a TOP SAFETY PICK, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of "good" in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with ESP Stability Control. Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of ESP Stability Control, which is standard on the Genesis. TOP SAFETY PICK status is applicable for all 2009 Genesis models built after November 2008.

"Recognising vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results," says Institute president Adrian Lund.

According to IIHS, 51 percent of driver deaths in recent model cars sold in the U.S. occurred in side impacts so the Institute's side impact test is severe. The Genesis performed well in side-impact tests and earned a "good" overall evaluation. The report notes that both driver's and passengers' head and neck are protected against "being hit by any hard structures," reducing the chance of serious injury.

In the Institute's 40 mph offset test, 40 percent of the total width of each vehicle strikes a barrier on the driver's side, mirroring the forces involved in a frontal offset crash between two vehicles. Genesis again scored "good" in the overall evaluation. The report notes that, "Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity."

Hyundai Motor Company Australia displayed the Genesis Coupe, sister to the Genesis sedan at the Melbourne International Motor Show. Two left hand drive Genesis Coupes have been brought to Australia to be used in a number of promotional activities that highlight the advances that Hyundai has made from a styling and technology perspective.