Top Safety Pick

2023 Hyundai Elantra

small car / 4-door sedan

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

2023 Hyundai Elantra 4-door sedan — 2021 Hyundai Elantra shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system	Superior
Standard system	Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Optional system	Superior
Standard system	Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Standard rear automatic braking

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Hyundai Elantra SE 4-door

The Hyundai Elantra was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Elantra conducted by Hyundai.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2015
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Footrest (cm)	6
Left toepan (cm)	3
Brake pedal (cm)	1
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	3
Lower instrument panel (cm)	2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2015
Head
HIC-15	122
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm)	20
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	30
Femur (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.62
Right	0.45
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	4.5
Right	1.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	126
Right	85

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Hyundai Elantra SE 4-door

The Hyundai Elantra was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Elantra conducted by Hyundai.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics The dummy’s head contacted the right side of the frontal airbag but began to slide into the gap in coverage between the frontal and side curtain airbags, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward structure. The inflated side curtain airbag has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2020
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Footrest (cm)	7
Right toepan (cm)	3
Center toepan (cm)	2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	4
Right lower dash (cm)	4

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2020
Head
HIC-15	143
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm)	11
Maximum Nij	0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm)	27
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.37
Right	0.62
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	32
Right	48

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2020
Head
HIC-15	67
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	15
Maximum Nij	0.14
Chest maximum compression (mm)	34
Femur (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.31
Right	0.29
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.3
Right	0.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	40
Right	48

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Hyundai Elantra SE 4-door

The Hyundai Elantra was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Elantra conducted by Hyundai.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2020
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	5
Left (cm)	9
Center (cm)	6
Right (cm)	4
Brake pedal (cm)	7
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-2
Rearward (cm)	-5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2020
Head
HIC-15	153
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	6
Maximum Nij	0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm)	32
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.6
Femur force - right (kN)	0.9
Knee displacement - left (mm)	0
Knee displacement - right (mm)	0
Maximum tibia index - left	0.32
Maximum tibia index - right	0.28
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.5
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	42
Right	46

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2021-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Hyundai Elantra SE 4-door

The Hyundai Elantra was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Elantra conducted by Hyundai.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS2021
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-15.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2021
Head HIC-15	257
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Compression (kN)	-0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	40
Lateral force (kN)	1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	38
Average deflection (mm)	37
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.78
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.83
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	2.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.1
Combined force (kN)	4.3
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.3
L-M moment (Nm)	121
A-P moment (Nm)	100

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2021
Head HIC-15	194
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.2
Compression (kN)	-0.9
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	-42
Lateral force (kN)	1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	37
Average deflection (mm)	30
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.55
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.58
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.3
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.5
Combined force (kN)	2.5
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.8
L-M moment (Nm)	104
A-P moment (Nm)	-22

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2021-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Hyundai Elantra SE 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	2,757 lbs
Peak force	17,048 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	6.18

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Manual cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	25
Distance below top of head (mm)	-10
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	10.3
Head contact time (ms)	62
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	36
Max neck tension (N)	549

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

Limited trim
Hybrid Limited trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the sharp left curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Limited trim Hybrid Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2021-23 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	104.6 m	None
Straightaway left edge	61.9 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	89.3 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	71.4 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	66.7 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	58.7 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	176.9 m
Straightaway left edge	173.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	92.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	77.5 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	67.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	59.4 m

Trim level(s)

SE trim
SEL trim
N-Line trim
Hybrid Blue trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	SE trim SEL trim N-Line trim Hybrid Blue trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2021-23 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	107.9 m	None
Straightaway left edge	39.9 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	49.0 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	40.0 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	41.6 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	34.3 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	130.0 m
Straightaway left edge	72.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	51.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	47.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	41.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	38.7 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

Optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian (FCA-Ped), Cyclist and Junction-Turning Detection

Package name

Optional Convience Package on SEL trim (standard on Limited trim)

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-23 models

Superior

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

System details

Standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-23 models

Superior

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

System details

optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Junction-Turning Detection

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2021-23 models of the following trim lines: SEL trim equipped with Convenience package, Limited trim

Superior

with optional equipment

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 1.5 seconds before impact.

System details

standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2021-23 models

Advanced

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 14 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 2 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	SE
Seat type	cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	SE
Seat type	cloth

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	25
Clearance angle (degrees)	67
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	13
Clearance angle (degrees)	73
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	13
Clearance angle (degrees)	74
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	30
Clearance angle (degrees)	69
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation