The 2022 Hyundai Sonata, a midsize sedan known for its stylish design and feature-rich trims, places a strong emphasis on safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has conducted comprehensive crash tests on the Sonata 2022, providing valuable insights into its safety performance. This article delves into the IIHS safety ratings for the 2022 Sonata, offering a detailed analysis of its performance in various crash scenarios and safety evaluations.
Small Overlap Front: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test evaluates the vehicle’s structural integrity when the front corner of the car collides with a rigid object. In the driver-side small overlap test for the Sonata 2022, the vehicle received a “Good” rating, the highest possible.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Chest | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Hip/Thigh | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G |
The technical measurements from the driver-side test indicate minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment, reinforcing the “Good” rating for structure and safety cage. Key measurements include:
| Measurement | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max Intrusion | 2 |
| Footrest Intrusion | 4 |
| Left Toepan Intrusion | 3 |
| Brake Pedal Intrusion | 4 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average Intrusion | 0 |
| Steering Column Movement | 0 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max Intrusion | 2 |
| Upper Dash Intrusion | 2 |
| Lower Instrument Panel Intrusion | 2 |
Driver injury measures were also excellent, with “Good” ratings across all categories, indicating a low risk of significant injuries in a real-world crash scenario of similar severity.
Small Overlap Front: Passenger-Side
The passenger-side small overlap test mirrors the driver-side test but assesses protection for the front passenger. Like the driver-side, the 2022 Sonata earned a “Good” rating in the passenger-side small overlap test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Passenger Injury Measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Passenger Injury Measures – Chest | G |
| Passenger Injury Measures – Hip/Thigh | G |
| Passenger Injury Measures – Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Chest | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Hip/Thigh | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G |
Intrusion measurements on the passenger side were slightly higher in some areas compared to the driver-side, but still within acceptable limits for a “Good” structural rating.
| Measurement | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max Intrusion | 3 |
| Footrest Intrusion | 4 |
| Right Toepan Intrusion | 3 |
| Center Toepan Intrusion | 1 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average Intrusion | 0 |
| Center Dash Intrusion | 2 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max Intrusion | 2 |
| Upper Dash Intrusion | 2 |
| Right Lower Dash Intrusion | 3 |
Similar to the driver-side test, passenger and driver injury measures were all rated “Good,” demonstrating consistent protection for occupants in the front seats during this type of frontal collision.
Moderate Overlap Front: Original Test
The moderate overlap front test involves a frontal collision with a deformable barrier covering a larger portion of the car’s front. The Hyundai Sonata 2022 also achieved a “Good” rating in this test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Chest | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Leg/Foot, Left | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Leg/Foot, Right | G |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G |
Technical data revealed minimal footwell intrusion and good control of steering column and instrument panel movement, contributing to the “Good” rating for structural performance.
| Measurement | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest Intrusion | 3 |
| Left Footwell Intrusion | 4 |
| Center Footwell Intrusion | 5 |
| Right Footwell Intrusion | 1 |
| Brake Pedal Intrusion | 5 |
| Left Instrument Panel Rearward Movement | 0 |
| Right Instrument Panel Rearward Movement | -1 |
| Steering Column Upward Movement | -1 |
| Steering Column Rearward Movement | -4 |
| A-pillar Rearward Movement | 0 |
Driver injury measures were again in the “Good” range, indicating effective protection in a moderate frontal impact.
Side: Original Test
The original side crash test simulates a vehicle being struck by another vehicle in a typical intersection crash. The 2022 Hyundai Sonata secured a “Good” overall rating in the original side test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Torso | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Driver Head Protection | G |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures – Torso | G |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures – Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | G |
Measurements of occupant compartment intrusion were minimal, and injury measures for both driver and rear passenger dummies were favorable across all body regions.
Side: Updated Test
Recognizing the evolving understanding of side-impact crashes, IIHS introduced an updated, more rigorous side crash test. The 2022 Sonata underwent this updated test and achieved an “Acceptable” overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | A |
| Structure and safety cage | A |
| Driver Injury Measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver Injury Measures – Torso | A |
| Driver Injury Measures – Pelvis | A |
| Driver Head Protection | G |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures – Torso | G |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures – Pelvis | M |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | G |
Image: Post-crash view of the 2022 Hyundai Sonata after the updated side impact test, demonstrating structural integrity.
Image: Interior damage and side airbag deployment in the 2022 Sonata following the updated side crash test.
Image: Driver-side head protection indicated by grease paint on the side airbag of the 2022 Sonata.
Image: Rear passenger head protection effectiveness shown by grease paint on the side airbag of the 2022 Sonata.
While structural performance and driver injury measures for head/neck and head protection remained “Good,” torso and pelvis protection for the driver and pelvis protection for the rear passenger were rated “Acceptable” or “Marginal.” This “Acceptable” rating in the updated side test indicates that while the Sonata 2022 provides good protection in many areas, there’s room for improvement in side-impact safety, particularly for pelvic injuries in more severe side collisions.
Roof Strength
Roof strength is crucial in rollover accidents. The 2022 Hyundai Sonata earned a “Good” rating for roof strength.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Curb weight | 3,125 lbs |
| Peak force | 16,761 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.36 |
With a strength-to-weight ratio of 5.36, the roof of the Sonata 2022 can withstand over five times its weight, indicating robust protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
평가된 차량: 2020 Hyundai Sonata SE 4-door
The design of head restraints and seats plays a significant role in preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The Hyundai Sonata 2022 received a “Good” overall rating for head restraints and seats.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Both dynamic testing and geometric evaluation of the seat and head restraint design were rated “Good,” suggesting effective whiplash protection.
Headlights
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime visibility and accident prevention. IIHS evaluates headlights based on beam reach and glare. The 2022 Sonata has two different headlight systems depending on the trim level.
For Limited and Hybrid Limited trims with LED projector headlights, the overall rating is “Good.”
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating (Limited & Hybrid Limited) | G |
For SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Hybrid Blue, and Hybrid SEL trims equipped with LED reflector headlights, the overall rating is “Marginal.”
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating (SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Hybrid Blue, Hybrid SEL) | M |
The “Good” rated headlights on higher trims provide adequate visibility on straightaways and curves with controlled glare. The “Marginal” rated headlights on lower trims offer good straightaway visibility but fair visibility on curves and exhibit more glare.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle & Pedestrian
The 2022 Sonata comes standard with a Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system with Pedestrian Detection, which IIHS rated as “Superior” in both vehicle-to-vehicle and daytime pedestrian front crash prevention tests.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention | Superior |
| Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Day) | Superior |
The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph vehicle-to-vehicle tests. In pedestrian tests, it avoided collisions with crossing adults and children at 12 mph and 25 mph and also avoided collisions with a parallel adult at higher speeds.
In nighttime pedestrian front crash prevention testing, the system achieved an “Advanced” rating, indicating good performance, especially when using high beams.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Night) | Advanced |
Seat Belt Reminders & Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
The 2022 Hyundai Sonata has been recognized for its seat belt reminders, earning an “Acceptable” rating. The LATCH system for child seat anchors received an “Acceptable” rating as well, indicating it is reasonably easy to use.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Seat Belt Reminders | A |
| Child Seat Anchors (LATCH) | A |
Conclusion
The 2022 Hyundai Sonata demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, achieving top “Good” ratings in most IIHS crash tests. While it received an “Acceptable” rating in the updated side impact test, its overall safety performance is commendable. The standard front crash prevention system is “Superior,” and headlight ratings vary by trim, with higher trims offering “Good” rated headlights. For those prioritizing safety in a midsize sedan, the Hyundai Sonata 2022 is a strong contender, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and robust crash protection.
Disclaimer: Safety ratings can be model year and trim specific. Always refer to the official IIHS website for the most up-to-date and detailed information.
