Top Safety PickTop Safety Pick criteria

2023 Hyundai Sonata

midsize car / 4-door sedan

Award applies only to vehicles built after December 2022

2023 Hyundai Sonata 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
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

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

Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & 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 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.

Overall evaluation
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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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

Driver injury measures

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.

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 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

Passenger injury measures

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

Driver injury measures

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.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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

Driver injury measures

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.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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

Driver injury measures

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

Rear passenger injury measures

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.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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.

Driver injury measures

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

Passenger injury measures

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.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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.

Driver injury measures

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

Passenger injury measures

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 weight3,125 lbs
Peak force16,761 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.36

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
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 High-beam assist credit Some 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 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
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
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 High-beam assist credit Some 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 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
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
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
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 High-beam assist credit Some glare

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
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
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
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
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

Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
DurationLong enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
None
Technical measurements for this test
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

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2020-25 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
easy 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
easy 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) 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

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 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

Seat position 23

1

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