In a recent development, Euro NCAP has expressed strong concern about the safety performance of the Hyundai Kona, which received a 4-star safety rating in the latest crash tests. The agency went so far as to highlight that the Kona was fortunate not to have obtained an even lower 3-star rating. Additionally, other vehicles, such as the new Honda ZR-V midsize SUV and VinFast VF8, also fell short of achieving a full 5-star rating.
Hyundai Kona's Safety Performance Overview
- The first-generation Hyundai Kona underwent testing in 2017 and secured a 5-star safety rating. The initial model achieved commendable scores across various safety aspects: 87% for Adult safety, 85% for Child safety, 62% for Pedestrian safety, and 60% for safety assist systems.
- However, the second-generation Kona, tested in 2023, exhibited a decline in performance. It received an 80% rating for Adult occupants and 83% for Child occupants, with a slight improvement in pedestrian safety to 64%. Notably, the safety assist score remained at 60%.
- The evolving safety test protocols since 2017 necessitate continuous improvements for a 5-star rating.
Factors Leading to the 4-Star Rating:
- Safety Assist Features: The absence of crucial safety features, particularly Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), played a pivotal role in the Kona missing a 5-star rating and issues were identified, especially when the vehicle approached a car crossing a junction. The car-head-on AEB performance received a "marginal" rating.
- Expectations vs. Reality: The second-gen Kona based on the track record of its predecessor was expected to maintain or enhance the 5-star rating. However, the deficiency in safety assist features contributed to a lower overall rating.
Consumer Implications:
- Overall Good Performance: Despite receiving a 4-star rating, Euro NCAP clarified that the Hyundai Kona does not exhibit major safety flaws and a 4-star rating signifies an overall good performance in crash protection.
- Comparative Analysis: Euro NCAP acknowledged the potential benefits of the second-gen Kona's larger size for users. However, it emphasized that these advantages might be overshadowed if competing models achieve higher scores in crash tests.
- Hyundai's Safety Track Record: The lower score for the Kona is particularly noteworthy given Hyundai's generally positive track record in crash tests. The Venue compact SUV is the only other Hyundai vehicle not securing a 5-star safety rating in Euro NCAP.
Final Testing of 2023 5-Star Cars
Euro NCAP also highlighted cars that achieved a 5-star safety rating in its final testing of 2023, including notable models like the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, VW ID.7, Kia EV9, BYD Seal U, and BYD Tang.