Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2018 Hyundai Kona

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights built after May 2018

2018 Hyundai Kona 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
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

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

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning
  • Optional lane departure prevention

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 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Hyundai Kona SE 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Kona was introduced in the 2018 model year.

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

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained reasonably well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1803
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 12
Footrest (cm) 6
Left toepan (cm) 4
Brake pedal (cm) 7
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 6
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 8
Upper dash (cm) 8
Lower instrument panel (cm) 9

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1803
Head
HIC-15 210
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm) 28
Femur (kN)
Left 2.9
Right 1.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 5
Right 5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.46
Right 0.55
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.8
Right 1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 120
Right 78

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Hyundai Kona SEL 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Kona was introduced in the 2018 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1820
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 7
Footrest (cm) 7
Right toepan (cm) 4
Center toepan (cm) 1
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 4
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 4
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 6
Upper dash (cm) 9
Right lower dash (cm) 7

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1820
Head
HIC-15 185
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 12
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 22
Femur (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 1.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 3
Right 7
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.37
Right 0.49
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.9
Right 1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 42
Right 50

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1820
Head
HIC-15 230
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 18
Maximum Nij 0.31
Chest maximum compression (mm) 38
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.31
Right 0.16
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.0
Right 1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 66
Right 51

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Hyundai Kona SE 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Kona was introduced in the 2018 model year.

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

Action shot taken during the moderate overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head contacted the side curtain airbag during forward movement and rebound.

Forces on the right lower leg were sufficiently high to indicate the possibility of injuries. Smeared greasepaint shows where the knee and leg hit the steering column and knee bolster.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEF1801
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 9
Left (cm) 15
Center (cm) 10
Right (cm) 2
Brake pedal (cm) 6
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -3
Rearward (cm) -4
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEF1801
Head
HIC-15 287
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 11
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 33
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.2
Femur force - right (kN) 0.3
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.73
Maximum tibia index - right 0.84
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.5
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 99
Right 133

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Kona was introduced in the 2018 model year.

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

View of the vehicle and barrier just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES1803
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.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES1803
Head HIC-15 310
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 32
Lateral force (kN) 1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 35
Average deflection (mm) 33
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.84
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.73
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.4
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.1
Combined force (kN) 2.5
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.5
L-M moment (Nm) 192
A-P moment (Nm) 46

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES1803
Head HIC-15 166
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 54
Lateral force (kN) 2.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 39
Average deflection (mm) 30
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.98
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.55
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.2
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.0
Combined force (kN) 2.0
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.8
L-M moment (Nm) 227
A-P moment (Nm) -43

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Hyundai Kona SE 4-door 2wd

(Curb weight from 2018 Hyundai Kona SE 4-door 4wd)

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,052 lbs
Peak force15,024 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio4.92

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) 36
Distance below top of head (mm) 5
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 10.4
Head contact time (ms) 66
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 13
Max neck tension (N) 438

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) 30
Distance below top of head (mm) 4
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 9.2
Head contact time (ms) 59
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 1
Max neck tension (N) 346

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

Headlights

Ratings are given for 6 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Limited trim; built after May 2018
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam 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 fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2018-21 models built after May 2018
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 135.9 m None
Straightaway left edge 67.4 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 72.8 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 65.2 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 63.7 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 57.9 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 151.2 m
Straightaway left edge 150.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 69.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 63.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 53.5 m

Trim level(s)

  • Ultimate trim; built after May 2018
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam 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 fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Ultimate trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2018-21 models built after May 2018
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 135.9 m None
Straightaway left edge 67.4 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 72.8 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 65.2 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 63.7 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 57.9 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 151.2 m
Straightaway left edge 150.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 69.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 63.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 53.5 m

Trim level(s)

  • SE trim; built after May 2018
  • SEL trim; built after May 2018
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

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

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High 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.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • SE trim
  • SEL trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2018-21 models built after May 2018
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 66.8 m None
Straightaway left edge 42.2 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 50.1 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 41.1 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 41.1 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 35.2 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 157.3 m
Straightaway left edge 117.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 64.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 60.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 47.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 42.9 m

Trim level(s)

  • Limited trim; built before June 2018
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Excessive glare

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 created excessive glare.

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

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2018 models built before June 2018
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 134.7 m 114.6%
Straightaway left edge 63.9 m 114.6%
250m radius right curve, right edge 73.3 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 70.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.9 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 59.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 141.1 m
Straightaway left edge 128.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 67.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 68.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 54.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 53.4 m

Trim level(s)

  • Ultimate trim; built before June 2018
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Excessive glare

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 created excessive glare.

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

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Ultimate trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2018 models built before June 2018
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 134.7 m 114.6%
Straightaway left edge 63.9 m 114.6%
250m radius right curve, right edge 73.3 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 70.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.9 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 59.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 141.1 m
Straightaway left edge 128.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 67.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 68.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 54.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 53.4 m

Trim level(s)

  • SE trim; built before June 2018
  • SEL trim; built before June 2018
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

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

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High 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.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • SE trim
  • SEL trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2018 models built before June 2018
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 58.0 m None
Straightaway left edge 34.8 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 41.9 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 37.9 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 37.1 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 30.8 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 162.7 m
Straightaway left edge 115.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 62.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 57.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 44.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 42.2 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection

Package name

  • Optional Tech Package for SEL
  • standard on Ultimate trim

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2018-19 models

Superior
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.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2018-23 models of the following trim lines: SEL trim equipped with Tech package, Ultimate trim

Advanced
Advanced
with optional equipment

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 18 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 14 mph. A warning was issued 1.3 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimSE
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.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimSE
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
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

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
difficult to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
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
difficult to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 29
Clearance angle (degrees) 54
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) 29
Clearance angle (degrees) 57
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

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

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 33
Clearance angle (degrees) 51
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) 38
Clearance angle (degrees) 47
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation