Owning a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid means you don’t have to sacrifice on safety. Active and passive standard safety features include six airbags, 4-wheel ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, plus a host of other modern safety technologies that helped earn the Sonata model line a 2011 “Top Safety Pick” award from the IIHS and a NHTSA 5-star Crash Rating.
In 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will require all vehicles to be equipped with ESC, a feature that the Sonata Hybrid and all Hyundai models have today.
NHTSA studies show passenger cars equipped with ESC experience 35% fewer single-vehicle crashes, and 30% fewer single-vehicle fatalities. ESC sensors measure the difference between a driver’s intended path—when a turn is less or more than intended—and applies appropriate braking force to individual wheels to help regain control. ESC also includes Traction Control System (TCS), which reduces wheelspin when accelerating.
By reducing wheelspin in various adverse traction conditions, including inclement weather, Traction Control System (TCS) gives more stable and predictable acceleration for a more confident, controlled driving experience.
Emergency braking maneuvers can cause a vehicle’s wheels to lock up and skid, resulting in a loss of steering control exactly when you need it most. ABS helps prevent the possibility of wheel lockup under braking, and rapidly pulses the brakes to help you retain steering control as you come to a stop.
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) balances braking forces at each wheel of the vehicle depending on road conditions, available traction, the weight of the passengers and cargo that the vehicle is carrying, and even the speed the driver is going. This helps the driver maintain confident control in difficult braking situations.
In emergency braking situations, many drivers may not apply sufficient braking force to achieve the shortest possible stopping distance. Brake Assist (BA) helps detect emergency braking and ensures the maximum braking force is immediately applied to minimize stopping distances.
In addition to crumple zones, unibody construction, and active front head restraints that help reduce the chance of whiplash, the Sonata Hybrid also has advanced front, front side-impact, and side-curtain airbags, to help protect you in case of an accident.