Hyundai Ioniq 6 Joins Tesla and Rivian in Winning IIHS 2023 Top Safety Pick+
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 secures top honors for safety and eco-friendliness, standing tall alongside Tesla and Rivian in the EV safety arena.
In the pursuit of a greener and safer future, the automotive industry takes significant strides towards eco-friendliness and enhanced safety measures. The latest milestone in this journey comes from the Hyundai Ioniq 6, which has clinched the coveted 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This recognition underscores the vehicle’s commitment not only to environmental consciousness but also to pedestrian-friendly design.
IIHS President David Harkey emphasized, “To be environmentally friendly, our vehicles and our cities also need to be pedestrian-friendly.” He pointed out that all three award-winning vehicles, including the Hyundai Ioniq 6, have standard front crash prevention systems that are meticulously engineered to safeguard pedestrians during both day and night, precisely when most fatal pedestrian accidents occur.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 proudly joins the esteemed ranks of electric vehicles (EVs) that have earned the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ Award, a list that includes Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y, along with Rivian’s R1T and R1S. The IIHS subjected the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE 4-door 4WD variant to rigorous testing, and the results were resoundingly positive.
In the critical Crashworthiness category, which encompasses assessments such as Small overlap front (driver-side and passenger-side), Moderate overlap front (original test), and Side (update test), the all-electric Ioniq 6 scored a perfect “Good” rating across the board. This signifies its robust construction and ability to protect occupants during various crash scenarios.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 also excelled in the Crash avoidance and mitigation portion of the tests, receiving a coveted “Superior” rating for Front Crash Prevention, both during the day and at night, with respect to vehicle-to-pedestrian encounters. This demonstrates the vehicle’s advanced technology and dedication to averting accidents.
Nevertheless, the IIHS did note one area of concern—the vehicle’s headlights. They received an “Acceptable” rating, representing one of the Ioniq 6’s lowest scores during the evaluation. Specifically, for low beams, visibility was described as good on the left side of the road but only fair on the right side. In curves, visibility ranged from good on sharp right curves to inadequate on gradual left curves. The IIHS highlighted that the high-beam assist feature helps compensate for some of these limitations, especially on the straightaway and curves.
In the realm of seat belts and child restraints, the Ioniq 6 earned a “Good” rating for seatbelt reminders, emphasizing its commitment to occupant safety. However, when it came to LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) ease of use, the electric car garnered an “Acceptable” rating. This rating was influenced by the positioning of two lower tether anchors, which were deemed “too deep in seat” during testing.
In conclusion, the Hyundai Ioniq 6’s triumphant achievement of the IIHS 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award underscores its dedication to safety, both for its occupants and pedestrians. While it boasts exceptional crashworthiness and advanced crash avoidance technology, there is room for improvement in the realm of headlights and LATCH ease of use. Nevertheless, this accolade solidifies the Ioniq 6’s position among the safest and most environmentally conscious vehicles on the road today.
