2015 Hyundai Genesis Joins Top Safety Pick+ List

Although some might debate whether the 2015 Hyundai Genesis Sedan deserves to be called a "real" luxury car—like its range-topping sibling, the Hyundai Equus—there's no longer a question about how well it will perform in the latest occupant-safety testing from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The all-new Genesis received the highest scores in all phases of the IIHS evaluation, including the Institute's challenging small front-overlap test and its ratings for front crash-avoidance technologies, and has been named a Top Safety Pick+ for 2014.

Now, as indicated above, the automaker is boasting that the 2015 Hyundai Genesis Sedan is "the first rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan to earn a Good rating in the small overlap crash test," which has been a deal-breaker for a wide range of both premium and mainstream entries. However, that claim comes with a few caveats, the most important being that the IIHS simply hasn't tested many other vehicles in that category. (Although it is worth noting that of three compact sedans tested from the German premium brands, the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series all failed to make the cut, and while the new Audi A3 sedan has been recognized as a Top Safety Pick+, it's only available in front- or all-wheel drive.)

Also, of those vehicles, only the Mercedes joins the 2015 Hyundai Genesis with a "Superior" rating for crash-avoidance tech, and the M-B product is still one "bar" behind the Hyundai on the IIHS evaluation graph.

Said Adrian Lund, IIHS president: “The Top Safety Pick+ designation recognizes state-of-the-art safety. The new Genesis is not only engineered to protect people when crashes happen, but with its optional automatic emergency braking system rated superior in our tests, this car can help drivers avoid some of the most common kinds of collisions altogether.”

Mike O’Brien, vice president of Corporate and Product Planning for Hyundai Motor America, added that: “IIHS Top Safety Picks are important ratings in vehicle crash test safety. Genesis’ Top Safety Pick+ recognition further reinforces its segment leadership in delivering advanced safety performance and technology as well as a host of world-class active and passive safety features.”

And keep in mind, those features also include:

• Lane-departure warning
• Lane-keeping technology
• Blind-spot detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• Front and rear parking assistance
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Nine standard airbags

Priced from $38,000, the 2015 Hyundai Genesis Sedan is at dealerships now.