Top Safety Pick

2023 Hyundai Sonata

midsize car / 4-door sedan

Award applies only to vehicles built after December 2022

Crashworthiness

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

Crash avoidance & mitigation

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

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Optional 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 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Hyundai Sonata SE 4-door

The Hyundai Sonata was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test 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	VTN1916
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Footrest (cm)	4
Left toepan (cm)	3
Brake pedal (cm)	4
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	2
Lower instrument panel (cm)	2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN1916
Head
HIC-15	96
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	15
Maximum Nij	0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26
Femur (kN)
Left	0.7
Right	0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.61
Right	0.45
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.6
Right	0.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	50
Right	43

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Hyundai Sonata SE 4-door

The Hyundai Sonata was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test 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
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	VTP1934
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	3
Footrest (cm)	4
Right toepan (cm)	3
Center toepan (cm)	1
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	2
Right lower dash (cm)	3

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1934
Head
HIC-15	78
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	14
Maximum Nij	0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.34
Right	0.58
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.5
Right	3.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	47
Right	66

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1934
Head
HIC-15	57
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	8
Maximum Nij	0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm)	21
Femur (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	0.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.23
Right	0.41
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.4
Right	1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	18
Right	32

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Hyundai Sonata SEL 4-door

The Hyundai Sonata was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test 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	VTF1926
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	3
Left (cm)	4
Center (cm)	5
Right (cm)	1
Brake pedal (cm)	5
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	-1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-1
Rearward (cm)	-4
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1926
Head
HIC-15	213
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	9
Maximum Nij	0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm)	27
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.4
Femur force - right (kN)	1.0
Knee displacement - left (mm)	0
Knee displacement - right (mm)	2
Maximum tibia index - left	0.24
Maximum tibia index - right	0.43
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.0
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	62
Right	44

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2023-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Hyundai Sonata SE 4-door

The Hyundai Sonata was redesigned for the 2020 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head remained a safe distance from the front seatback.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a likelihood of injury to the head or neck and chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt moved from the ideal position on the pelvis onto the abdomen, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2311
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	3
Left (cm)	5
Center (cm)	7
Right (cm)	2
Brake pedal (cm)	6
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	-1
Right (cm)	-1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	0
Rearward (cm)	-4
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2311
Head
HIC-15	254
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	7
Maximum Nij	0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26
Femur (kN)
Left	0.5
Right	1.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.27
Right	0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.9
Right	3.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	58
Right	45

Test ID	CEF2311
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	3.8
Compression (kN)	0.2
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	33
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	7.1
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	1.4
Right femur compression	0.3

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2020-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Hyundai Sonata SE 4-door

The Hyundai Sonata was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test 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	VTS1928
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-17.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1928
Head HIC-15	509
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	44
Lateral force (kN)	1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	37
Average deflection (mm)	31
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.38
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.53
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.9
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.2
Combined force (kN)	1.9
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	1.0
L-M moment (Nm)	186
A-P moment (Nm)	53

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1928
Head HIC-15	113
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.4
Compression (kN)	0.9
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	13
Lateral force (kN)	0.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	23
Average deflection (mm)	20
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.14
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.23
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.1
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.4
Combined force (kN)	1.4
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.4
L-M moment (Nm)	97
A-P moment (Nm)	50

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2020-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Sonata SEL 4-door

The Hyundai Sonata was redesigned for the 2020 model year.

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

View of the vehicle 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 airbags.

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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2222
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-14.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2222
Head
HIC-15	195
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.7
Compression (kN)	0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	39
Lateral force (kN)	1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	38
Average deflection (mm)	37
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	5.84
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.96
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	4.4

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2222
Head
HIC-15	111
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Compression (kN)	0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	19
Lateral force (kN)	0.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	18
Average deflection (mm)	13
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.17
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.13
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	6.0

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2020-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Hyundai Sonata SE 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,125 lbs
Peak force	16,761 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	5.36

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)	35
Distance below top of head (mm)	14
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	10.3
Head contact time (ms)	65
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	33
Max neck tension (N)	428

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

Headlights

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

Limited trim; built before January 2023
Hybrid Limited trim; built before January 2023

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 created some glare.

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

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the sharp left curve and on the sharp right 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 2020-23 models built before January 2023

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	118.0 m	14.8%
Straightaway left edge	71.9 m	14.8%
250m radius right curve, right edge	75.2 m	9.7%
250m radius left curve, left edge	71.6 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	59.6 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	55.2 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	191.2 m
Straightaway left edge	160.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	80.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	76.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	60.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	57.5 m

Trim level(s)

All trims; built after December 2022

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 created some glare.

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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	All trims
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2020-23 models built after December 2022

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	118.0 m	14.8%
Straightaway left edge	71.9 m	14.8%
250m radius right curve, right edge	75.2 m	9.7%
250m radius left curve, left edge	71.6 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	59.6 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	55.2 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	191.2 m
Straightaway left edge	160.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	80.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	76.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	60.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	57.5 m

Trim level(s)

SE trim; built before January 2023
SEL trim; built before January 2023
SEL Plus trim; built before January 2023
Hybrid Blue trim; built before January 2023
Hybrid SEL trim; built before January 2023

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
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 fair in all 4 tests.

The low beams created some glare.

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

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 SEL Plus trim Hybrid Blue trim Hybrid SEL trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2020-23 models built before January 2023

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	93.2 m	52.5%
Straightaway left edge	68.4 m	52.5%
250m radius right curve, right edge	60.8 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	63.0 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	48.9 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	50.5 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	171.5 m
Straightaway left edge	167.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	73.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	76.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	51.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	55.1 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist w/ Pedestrain Detection

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-23 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)

System details

standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2020-23 models

Superior

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph.

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 1.9 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)

Night

System details

standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

Includes high-beam assist credit

This rating applies to all 2022-23 models

Advanced

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 22 mph.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 28 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.6 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 28 mph and a warning was issued 1.4 seconds before impact.

About pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2022-23 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)	None

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2020-25 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)	22
Clearance angle (degrees)	73
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	14
Clearance angle (degrees)	75
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)	28
Clearance angle (degrees)	63
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	21
Clearance angle (degrees)	63
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

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	51 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	61 dB
Difference between background and signal	10.8 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	54 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	62 dB
Difference between background and signal	7.7 dB
Dominant audio frequency	800 Hz