Driving is an essential part of modern life, but it also comes with many risks and challenges. According to the World Health Organization, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for people aged 5-29 years, and more than 1.35 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes1. Therefore, it is crucial to choose a car that can provide you and your passenger with the best possible protection from various hazards on the road.
Hyundai is one of the leading car manufacturers in the world, and it is committed to making driving safer for everyone. Hyundai has a long history of innovation and excellence in car safety, and it has achieved the highest possible ratings from various safety authorities, such as the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)23 . Hyundai offers a range of safety features that are designed to prevent, avoid, or mitigate the impact of collisions, as well as to enhance the comfort and convenience of drivers and passengers.
In this article, we will explore some of the most advanced and effective safety features that Hyundai offers in its cars, and how they can protect you and your passenger from different types of road accidents. We will also provide some tips and advice on how to use these features properly and how to maintain your car’s safety performance. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how Hyundai can help you to drive with confidence and peace of mind.
Hyundai SmartSense: A Suite of Intelligent Safety Technologies
One of the most impressive and comprehensive safety features that Hyundai offers is Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of intelligent safety technologies that are designed to monitor, alert, and assist drivers in various driving scenarios. Hyundai SmartSense uses sensors, cameras, radars, and software to detect potential hazards on the road, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, lane markings, traffic signs, and more. Depending on the situation, Hyundai SmartSense can provide visual and audible warnings, steering and braking interventions, or automatic emergency actions to help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of collisions.
Hyundai SmartSense consists of several applications that cover different aspects of driving safety, such as forward collision avoidance, blind spot detection, lane keeping, driver attention, adaptive cruise control, and more. Some of these applications are standard on all Hyundai models, while others are optional or available on selected models. Here are some of the key applications of Hyundai SmartSense and how they work:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA): This application uses a front camera or a front radar sensor to detect vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, or other objects in front of the car. If the car is approaching too close to the detected object, FCA will warn the driver with a visual and audible alert. If the driver does not react in time, FCA will apply the brakes automatically to avoid or mitigate the collision. FCA can also detect oncoming vehicles when turning at intersections and provide warnings or interventions accordingly.
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA): This application uses rear radar sensors to monitor the blind spots on both sides of the car. If another vehicle is detected in the blind spot, BCA will warn the driver with a visual indicator on the side mirror. If the driver attempts to change lanes while the blind spot is occupied, BCA will also provide an audible alert and a steering intervention to prevent the lane change. BCA can also detect vehicles approaching from behind when reversing out of a parking space and provide warnings or interventions accordingly.
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): This application uses a front camera to detect the lane markings on the road. If the car is drifting out of the lane without signaling, LKA will warn the driver with a visual and audible alert. If the driver does not correct the steering, LKA will also provide a steering intervention to keep the car in the lane. LKA can also detect the road edge and provide warnings or interventions accordingly.
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW): This application uses a front camera and other sensors to monitor the driver’s driving patterns and behaviors. If the application detects signs of driver fatigue or inattention, such as frequent steering corrections, lane departures, or long periods of no steering activity, DAW will warn the driver with a visual and audible alert and suggest taking a break.
- Smart Cruise Control (SCC): This application uses a front radar sensor to maintain a constant speed and a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. The driver can set the desired speed and distance, and SCC will automatically adjust the speed and braking according to the traffic conditions. SCC can also detect curves and slopes on the road and reduce the speed accordingly. SCC can also work with LKA to provide steering assistance and keep the car in the center of the lane.
- High Beam Assist (HBA): This application uses a front camera to detect the headlights or taillights of other vehicles on the road. If the car is driving with high beams on, HBA will automatically switch to low beams when it detects an approaching or preceding vehicle. HBA will switch back to high beams when the road is clear, providing optimal visibility for the driver.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA): This application uses rear radar sensors to detect vehicles approaching from the left or right when the car is reversing out of a parking space. RCCA will warn the driver with a visual and audible alert, and if the driver does not react in time, RCCA will apply the brakes automatically to avoid or mitigate the collision.
- Parking Distance Warning (PDW): This application uses front and rear ultrasonic sensors to measure the distance between the car and any obstacles when parking. PDW will warn the driver with a visual indicator on the dashboard and an audible alert that increases in frequency as the car gets closer to the obstacle.
- Surround View Monitor (SVM): This application uses four cameras mounted on the front, rear, and sides of the car to provide a 360-degree view of the surroundings on the touchscreen display. SVM helps the driver to park and maneuver in tight spaces by showing the car’s position and the nearby obstacles.
- Safe Exit Assist (SEA): This application uses rear radar sensors to detect vehicles approaching from behind when the car is parked. If a passenger tries to open the door when a vehicle is detected, SEA will warn the passenger with a visual and audible alert and lock the door temporarily to prevent the passenger from exiting the car.
These are just some of the applications of Hyundai SmartSense that can enhance your driving safety and convenience. You can find more information about the availability and specifications of these features on the official Hyundai website or by contacting your local Hyundai dealer.
Hyundai Car Safety Ratings: How They Are Tested and What They Mean
As mentioned earlier, Hyundai has achieved the highest possible ratings from various safety authorities, such as ANCAP, Euro NCAP, and IIHS. But what do these ratings mean, and how are they determined? In this section, we will explain the basics of car safety ratings, and how Hyundai performs in different tests and categories.
Car safety ratings are a way of measuring and comparing the safety performance of different car models based on standardized tests and criteria. These tests and criteria are developed and conducted by independent organizations that specialize in car safety research and evaluation. Some of the most reputable and influential organizations are:
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- ANCAP: The Australasian New Car Assessment Program is the leading car safety authority in Australia and New Zealand. ANCAP conducts tests and assessments on new car models and awards them a star rating from zero to five, based on their performance in four key areas: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user protection, and safety assist. ANCAP also publishes detailed reports and recommendations for each car model on its website.
- Euro NCAP: The European New Car Assessment Programme is the leading car safety authority in Europe. Euro NCAP conducts tests and assessments on new car models and awards them a star rating from zero to five, based on their performance in four key areas: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection, and safety assist. Euro NCAP also publishes detailed reports and recommendations for each car model on its website.
- IIHS: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is the leading car safety authority in the United States. IIHS conducts tests and assessments on new car models and awards them a rating from poor to good, based on their performance in six key areas: moderate overlap front, driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints. IIHS also awards a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation to the car models that meet the highest standards of safety performance and crash avoidance. IIHS also publishes detailed reports and recommendations for each car model on its website.