2015 Hyundai Genesis first vehicle in its segment to get top safety pick

(May 8, 2014) FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — Hyundai’s award-winning 2015 Genesis sedan continues segment leadership as the first and only rear-wheel drive vehicle in its class to receive the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest honor as a 2014 TOP SAFETY PICK+ when equipped with optional front crash prevention.

Genesis is also the first rear-wheel drive luxury sedan to earn a Good rating in the small overlap crash test.

IIHS rates vehicles in a moderate overlap front crash, small overlap front crash, side impact and rollover test, and evaluates seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impact collisions. Additionally, IIHS evaluates available front crash prevention systems that aim to prevent a crash or lessen its severity. Winners of the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award must earn Good ratings for occupant protection in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, no less than acceptable in the small overlap test, and at least a basic rating for front crash prevention.

“The TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation recognizes state-of-the-art safety,” said IIHS president, Adrian Lund. “The new Genesis is not only engineered to protect people when crashes happen, but with its optional automatic emergency braking system rated superior in our tests, this car can help drivers avoid some of the most common kinds of collisions altogether.”

“IIHS TOP SAFETY PICKS are important ratings in vehicle crash test safety,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Corporate and Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Genesis’ TOP SAFETY PICK+ recognition further reinforces its segment leadership in delivering advanced safety performance and technology as well as a host of world-class active and passive safety features.”

Genesis’ suite of safety features aim to prevent accidents and maximize the safety of its occupants in the event of a collision. The all-new 2015 Genesis uses new Sensory Surround SafetyTM technology including a Hyundai first, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), utilizing sensor fusion technology to help avoid a potential collision or reduce its impact. With this system, Genesis will employ automatic braking whenever it detects another vehicle at an unsafe closing rate of speed.

This system uses the front radar from the Smart Cruise Control system and the forward camera from the Lane Departure Warning (LDW) to provide this extra margin of safety. In addition, Genesis combines available LDW with all-new Lane Keep Assist (LKA) to provide a driver-adjustable level of steering assist to help prevent inadvertent lane departure when a vehicle approaches the edge of a lane and also provides steering wheel haptic vibration feedback.