Hyundai’s Genesis was picked as the safest car of the year by the Korean government. (image: Hyundai Motor)
SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Hyundai’s Genesis and Kia’s Sorrento and Carnival have been rated as the safest cars of the year by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT). The MOLIT evaluates four aspects of safety for cars on the Korean market – crash safety, pedestrian safety, driving safety and accident prevention.
The MOLIT rated seven Korean made cars and six imported cars this year using its five class scale. Hyundai’s Genesis earned the highest overall rating among the 13 cars, while Kia’s Sorrento and Carnival came in second and third.
Seven more cars received the first class safety rating along with Genesis, Sorrento and Carnival. Kia’s Soul earned the second class, as it did not meet the first class standard for pedestrian safety. Ford’s Explorer received the third class. Renault Samsung’s QM3 received a fifth class rating due to its low crash safety performance.
The average overall rating for the 13 cars was 87.5 out of 100, while the average overall rating for the last year was 85.7. In the two categories of pedestrian safety and driving safety, the average rating increased by 6 points and 4 points respectively.
In the crash safety category, Korea GM’s Cruze and Hyundai’s Sonata and Genesis all earned 97.7 out of 100. Renault Samsung’s QM3 received 78.9.
In the pedestrian safety category, Hyundai’s Genesis led the pack, earning a score of 85.7. Volkswagen’s Golf received 75.3 points and Kia’s Sorrento got 75. Ford’s Explorer had the lowest score at 36.7 out of 100.
In the driving safety category, Audi’s A6 earned 96 out of 100. Mercedes Benz’s E300 received 95, followed by Hyundai’s Genesis and Volkswagen’s Golf, which both came in at 94 out of 100.
The last category, crash avoidance, was introduced in the past year. Volkswagen’s Golf, Hyundai’s Sonata and Genesis, Audi’s A6, Lexus’ ES350 and Renault Samsung’s QM3 all earned extra points for being equipped with a seatbelt reminder (SBR). Mercedes Benz’s E300 also earned points for being equipped with a front collision warning system (FCWS).
By J. W. Choi (summerchoi@koreabizwire.com)
