All-New Hyundai Elantra Earns “Top Safety Pick” Honors From IIHS

[Hyundai NEWS]

Clearly proving it can offer big-time safety in a small-car package, the completely redesigned 2011 Hyundai Elantra was recently named a “Top Safety Pick” by theInsurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
“Elantra safety has improved tremendously over the years with the vehicle now earning IIHS’ top safety distinction,” said David Zuby, the IIHS’ chief research officer. “The big things the automakers have done to improve crashworthiness are designing better front crush zones to manage crash energy, stronger occupant compartments to limit intrusion, and stronger roofs to better protect people in rollovers.”
And that’s not all. In designing the new Elantra, Hyundai engineers set a new safety benchmark for the compact segment with the addition of a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system. Using the same technology found in the premium Hyundai Equus, the Elantra’s VSM setup manages both the car’s electronic stability control and its motor-driven electric power steering for optimum safety. The highly efficient Hyundai also boasts a cutting-edge braking package that includes disc brakes at each wheel, as well as an anti-lock braking system with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution.
But notably, even with all this standard safety content, the Elantra is still one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the road today. In fact, it’s the sole gas-only car in America that can earn a 40-mpg rating from the EPA in every model, with both an automatic or a manual transmission, and it was the only non-hybrid vehicle to garner a spot on TrueCar.com’s recent list of the top-10 most fuel-efficient vehicles in the U.S.
All of which means the 2011 Hyundai Elantra is a particularly safe choice for drivers interested in fuel efficiency—literally.