The 2022 Hyundai Sonata, part of the redesigned 2020-2025 model lineup, has undergone rigorous safety testing to ensure it meets high safety standards. As a content creator for cardiagnosticnearme.com and an auto repair expert, this comprehensive overview will delve into the safety ratings of the Sonata 2022, providing a detailed analysis based on evaluations conducted by reputable institutions. This article aims to offer a more digestible and SEO-optimized version of the original safety data, specifically targeting an English-speaking audience interested in the safety performance of the Sonata 2022.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The driver-side small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end on the driver’s side impacts an object. In this challenging test, the Hyundai Sonata 2022 achieved a Good rating, the highest possible. This “Good” rating extends across all critical aspects of the test, including structure and safety cage integrity, and driver injury measures for the head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot. The driver restraints and dummy kinematics were also rated as Good, indicating effective occupant protection in this type of frontal collision.
Technical measurements from the driver-side test (Test ID: VTN1916) show minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment. Key measurements include a maximum of 2 cm intrusion at the lower and upper hinge pillar and upper dash, and 4 cm at the footrest and brake pedal. Driver injury measures were also low, with a Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) of 96, very low neck tension and bending moment, and minimal chest compression. Femur and tibia forces were also well within acceptable limits, indicating a low risk of leg injuries.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
The passenger-side small overlap front crash test mirrors the driver-side test but assesses the safety performance on the passenger side of the vehicle. The Hyundai Sonata 2022 again earned an overall Good rating in this evaluation. Similar to the driver-side, the structure and safety cage held up well (Good), and passenger injury measures for head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were all rated Good. The passenger restraints and dummy kinematics also performed effectively, achieving a Good rating. Importantly, driver injury measures, recorded in this passenger-side test, also received Good ratings across all categories.
Technical measurements for the passenger-side test (Test ID: VTP1934) showed slightly more intrusion compared to the driver-side, with a maximum of 3 cm at the lower hinge pillar and right lower dash. However, these intrusion levels remained minimal. Passenger injury measures were again low, with a HIC-15 of 78 and low neck forces. Driver injury measures recorded during the passenger-side test also demonstrated low risk values, confirming effective overall occupant protection in a passenger-side small overlap frontal crash scenario.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
The moderate overlap front crash test involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacting a deformable barrier. The Hyundai Sonata 2022 achieved a Good rating in the original moderate overlap front crash test. The structure and safety cage were rated Good, and driver injury measures for head/neck, chest, and leg/foot (both left and right) were all Good. Driver restraints and dummy kinematics also received a Good rating.
Measurements from this test (Test ID: VTF1926) indicated minimal occupant compartment intrusion. Maximum footwell intrusion was 5 cm at the center, and instrument panel and steering column movement were also minimal. Driver injury measures were low, with a HIC-15 of 213, low neck forces, and chest compression. Leg injury measures were also well within acceptable ranges, demonstrating good protection in a moderate overlap frontal crash.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Test
The original side impact test evaluates the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants in a side collision. The 2022 Hyundai Sonata received a Good overall rating in this test. The structure and safety cage were rated Good, along with driver injury measures for head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg. Driver head protection and rear passenger injury measures (head/neck, torso, pelvis/leg) and rear passenger head protection also all earned Good ratings.
Technical measurements (Test ID: VTS1928) showed a B-pillar intrusion of -17.0 cm, indicating that the crush stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, a positive outcome. Driver injury measures, while slightly higher than in frontal tests, remained within acceptable limits for side impact scenarios. Rear passenger injury measures were generally lower than driver measures, indicating good protection for rear occupants in a side impact.
Side Impact Crash Test: Updated Test
The updated side impact test is a more stringent evaluation, using a heavier barrier and higher impact speed to better represent severe side crash scenarios. In this more demanding test, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata received an overall rating of Acceptable. While the structure and safety cage maintained an Acceptable rating, driver injury measures for head/neck and driver head protection remained Good. However, driver torso and pelvis protection were rated Acceptable. Rear passenger injury measures showed a mix, with head/neck and torso protection rated Good, but pelvis protection rated Marginal. Rear passenger head protection remained Good.
Alt text: Hyundai Sonata 2022 side crash test aftermath, showing vehicle damage.
Alt text: Hyundai Sonata 2022 side impact test, interior damage and deployed side airbags.
Alt text: Driver-side airbag protection in Hyundai Sonata 2022 side crash test, greasepaint on dummy head.
Alt text: Rear passenger airbag protection in Hyundai Sonata 2022 side crash test, greasepaint on dummy head indicating airbag contact.
Technical measurements from the updated side impact test (Test ID: CES2222) showed a B-pillar intrusion of -14.5 cm. Driver injury measures indicated good head and neck protection, but torso and pelvis measures were higher compared to the original side test, reflecting the increased severity of the updated test. Rear passenger pelvis injury measures were notably higher, contributing to the “Marginal” rating in that category.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test assesses the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash. The Hyundai Sonata 2022 achieved a Good rating in roof strength. With a curb weight of 3,125 lbs and a peak force of 16,761 lbs, the Sonata demonstrated a strength-to-weight ratio of 5.36, well above the threshold for a “Good” rating.
Head Restraints & Seats
Evaluations of head restraints and seats are crucial for preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The Hyundai Sonata 2022 with manual cloth seats received a Good overall rating for head restraints & seats. Both dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry were rated Good. Technical measurements indicated a backset of 35mm and a distance below the top of the head of 14mm, meeting the criteria for good geometry.
Headlights
Headlight performance is evaluated for different trim levels, as headlight types can vary.
Limited and Hybrid Limited Trims
The Limited and Hybrid Limited trims of the Sonata 2022 are equipped with LED projector headlights. These headlights received a Good overall rating. Both low beams and high beams are LED projectors, and the vehicle features high-beam assist. Visibility was good on straightaways and curves with both low and high beams, though low beams created some glare. High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of the low beams on sharp curves.
SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Hybrid Blue, and Hybrid SEL Trims
The SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Hybrid Blue, and Hybrid SEL trims come with LED reflector headlights. These headlights received a Marginal overall rating. Both low and high beams are LED reflectors, and high-beam assist is included. Low beam visibility was good on straightaways but only fair on curves, with some glare. High beam visibility was good on straightaways and gradual curves, but fair to inadequate on sharp curves. High-beam assist helps compensate for low beam limitations.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
The Hyundai Sonata 2022’s standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system with Pedestrian Detection was rated as Superior in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. The system meets forward collision warning requirements and successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
In daytime pedestrian front crash prevention testing, the Sonata 2022 again earned a Superior rating for its standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection system. The system avoided collisions with a crossing child in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests. For a crossing adult, collisions were avoided in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests. In the parallel adult scenario, collisions were avoided at 25 mph and 37 mph.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Night)
Nighttime pedestrian front crash prevention is a more challenging test. For 2022-2023 models of SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Hybrid Blue, and Hybrid SEL trims, the Sonata’s system received an Advanced rating, including high-beam assist credit. In tests with both low beams and high beams, the system avoided or significantly reduced impact speed in crossing and parallel adult scenarios at various speeds.
Seat Belt Reminders
For 2022-2023 models, the seat belt reminder system in the Hyundai Sonata received an Acceptable rating. The front row unbelted occupant alert system meets requirements for initiation time, duration (long enough at 90+ seconds), and volume. However, it lacks a startup status alert for the second row.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
The child seat anchor system in the 2022-2025 Hyundai Sonata received an Acceptable rating. The Sonata has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and one additional position with only a tether anchor. Ease of use for LATCH systems was rated as “Acceptable” due to lower anchors being too deep in the seat in certain positions.
Conclusion
The 2022 Hyundai Sonata demonstrates strong safety performance across a range of crash tests and safety system evaluations. It achieves top “Good” ratings in many critical areas, including frontal and side crash tests (original), roof strength, and head restraints. While the updated side impact test resulted in an “Acceptable” overall rating, and headlight ratings vary by trim, the Sonata 2022 generally provides excellent occupant protection and advanced crash prevention technologies. These safety ratings make the Hyundai Sonata 2022 a compelling choice for safety-conscious car buyers.
