The US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) has awarded its ‘Top Safety Pick’ award to a trio of Hyundais – the Veracruz and Santa Fe (in the midsize SUV segment) along with the Hyundai Entourage in the minivan segment.

Vehicles winning the awards are recognised for their ability to protect passengers in front, side and rear crashes. Both the Veracruz and Santa Fe were recipients of the same award in 2007. All three vehicles also earned five-star crash test ratings, the highest US Government rating under NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program, for both frontal and side impact.

“Consumers are the biggest winners. No matter what kind of vehicle buyers may be considering, now they can walk into just about any dealership and find one that affords the best overall protection in serious crashes,” the IIHS said.

 

Each vehicle’s ‘Top Safety Pick’ evaluation is based on a variety of measures including, structural performance, restraint performance and the injuries sustained by dummies during crash testing. In order to qualify for the prize, vehicles are required to be fitted with the latest crash prevention technology, including ESP Stability Control (standard on all three Hyundai Top Safety Pick vehicles).

Australians will be familiar with the Hyundai Santa Fe model, which in 2009 spec is fitted with ESP Stability Control and six airbags. The airbag package includes curtain airbags that extend through to the third row seat in the seven seat Santa Fe models.