Euro NCAP’s recent evaluation has cast a spotlight on the second-generation Hyundai Kona, marking an unexpected turn as it garnered a 4-star safety rating, falling behind in comparison to its predecessor and several competitors. This outcome has spurred discussions, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses in the Kona’s safety performance.
The Euro NCAP’s report places the Kona at the bottom among 11 vehicles assessed, expressing disappointment over its inability to secure a full 5-star rating. The agency even suggested that the SUV narrowly avoided receiving a lower 3-star rating, emphasizing its perceived shortcomings in safety.
Comparing the first-gen Kona’s 5-star accolade in 2017 to the second-gen’s recent evaluation reveals a decline in crucial safety metrics. While the newer iteration exhibited an improvement in pedestrian safety by a marginal 2%, its scores for adult and child occupant safety dropped to 80% and 83%, respectively. The glaring concern that impeded its ascent to a 5-star rating predominantly revolved around inadequate safety assist features, notably the absence of autonomous emergency braking (AEB). This absence resulted in compromised performance during safety tests, especially in scenarios involving car-junction crossings and frontal collision prevention.
The absence of a 5-star rating for the second-gen Kona, a deviation from Hyundai’s otherwise commendable safety track record, has stirred discussions about its implications for consumers. Euro NCAP defines a 4-star rating as indicative of overall good crash protection performance. However, differing opinions exist, with ANCAP adopting a more critical stance, suggesting that a 4-star-rated vehicle might lack in specific assessment areas, potentially elevating the risk of injury to occupants and other road users in certain scenarios.
Euro NCAP acknowledged the benefits of the Kona’s larger size but highlighted that these advantages might be eclipsed by rivals securing higher safety scores. Notably, this marks only the second Hyundai vehicle, following the Venue compact SUV, to fall short of the 5-star safety mark in Euro NCAP assessments.
Amidst this assessment, other vehicles like the BMW 5 Series, BYD Seal U, BYD Tang, Kia EV9, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, VW ID.7, and Smart #3 secured coveted 5-star safety ratings in Euro NCAP’s final testing of 2023.
The Hyundai Kona’s 4-star rating in the Euro NCAP tests serves as a pivotal topic in the realm of automotive safety, inviting discussions about the evolving standards and expectations, while consumers weigh these insights in their pursuit of safer vehicular choices on the road.
