Thanks to airbags galore, 4-wheel ABS brakes, front and rear crumple zones, and a whole host of modern safety technologies, the Sonata received a 2012 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS in addition to the NHTSA 5-star overall crash rating. And with a name like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, you can bet they take their testing very seriously.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) analysis estimates that passenger cars equipped with ESC may 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.
*http://www.safercar.gov/staticfiles/safercar/pdf/810698.pdf
By reducing wheelspin in various adverse traction conditions, including inclement weather, Traction Control gives more stable and predictable acceleration characteristics 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 hard braking, and rapidly pulses the brakes to help you retain steering control as you come to a stop.
EBD balances braking forces at each wheel when the car is dynamically loaded. 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 helps detect emergency braking and ensures the maximum braking force is immediately applied to minimize stopping distances.