According to the IIHS new standards, to qualify for the Top Safety Pick a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in front, side, rear, and rollover tests and must be equipped with electronic stability control.
"With the addition of the new rollover evaluation, Institute test results now cover all 4 of the most common kinds of crashes," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "Vehicles that win TOP SAFETY PICK are designs that go far beyond minimum federal safety standards."
The new Sonata has a a starting price of $19,195 in the US, but the freight charge of $720 is not included in the MSRP. The car comes equipped with Hyundai’s new Theta II 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine and in-house six-speed automatic transmission, developing 198 horsepower standard and 200 horsepower on the SE trim.
This allows the car to deliver a fuel economy of 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway, which Hyundai says is the best in its class.
"The Sonata will set a new standard for world class mid-size sedans with state-of-the-art technology, superior build quality and emotional design," said Euisun Chung, Hyundai's vice chairman when the car was unveiled. "The new Sonata will raise Hyundai's brand values."
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