Hyundai Kona: Euro NCAP 4-Star Safety Rating Sparks Urgency for Improvement

• Hyundai Kona receives a surprising 4-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

• Scores fall below the first-gen model, raising eyebrows and concerns.

• Safety assist features, particularly the absence of AEB, contribute to the lower rating.

• Hyundai urged to enhance safety standards to stay competitive in the market.

In an unexpected development, 2nd-gen Kona has finished last among the 11 vehicles that were tested by the Euro NCAP in 2023.

Euro NCAP has come out with harsh words, after Hyundai Kona scored 4-stars in the latest crash tests. The agency has pointed out that Kona was lucky to not have ended with a low 3-star rating. Other cars to miss out on a full 5-star rating are the new Honda ZR-V midsize SUV and VinFast VF8.

Hyundai Kona Scored 4 Star Safety Rating in Euro NCAP

What went wrong?

Second-gen Kona tested in 2023 by Euro NCAP

Second-gen Kona tested in 2023 by Euro NCAP has received 80% for Adult occupant and 83% for Child occupant.

Both these scores are lower in comparison to that of the first-gen model. Pedestrian safety has improved slightly at 64%, but the safety assist score of 60% is the same as earlier. Safety test protocols have also been updated since 2017, which means that cars need to improve the safety standards to get a 5-star rating.

Hyundai Kona first-gen model was tested by the Euro NCAP in 2017.

At that time, the SUV had received a 5-star rating. The scores were 87% for Adult safety, 85% for Child safety, 62% for Pedestrian safety, and 60% for the safety assist systems. The Second-gen Kona was expected to continue with its 5-star rating. And may have even improved upon the individual and overall scores. 

However, that hasn’t been the case. It’s the reason why the Euro NCAP has been critical of the 2nd-gen Kona’s safety performance.

Why Kona couldn't secure a 5-star rating

According to Euro NCAP, Kona could not score a 5-star rating primarily due to its low score in safety assist features.

The SUV lacked AEB (autonomous emergency braking), which resulted in the unsatisfactory performance in the safety tests. Issues were noted when approaching a car crossing or a junction. Also, there was a “marginal” result related to the Kona’s car-head-on AEB performance.

What does it mean for consumers?

Even with 4-stars, Hyundai Kona does not have any major safety flaws.

The only thing is that the 2nd-gen Kona was expected to get a 5-star rating, just like the first-gen model. Euro NCAP defines 4-star as overall good performance in crash protection.

Comparison with ANCAP's perspective

In comparison, ANCAP has a more critical view of a 4-star safety rating.

ANCAP states that although a 4-star rated car provides adequate safety, it may still lack in one or more key assessment areas. Furthermore, a 4-star rated car may have a higher risk of injury to occupants as well as other road users in specific scenarios. Also, such cars may have a reduced ability to avoid a crash.

Hyundai's track record and advantage of its bigger size

Euro NCAP has mentioned that the bigger size of 2nd-gen Kona is beneficial to users.

However, such benefits won’t count if the rivals are getting higher scores in the crash tests. Hyundai has a good track record in crash tests, which is why the low score of Kona is being criticized. The only other Hyundai car to not get 5-star safety in Euro NCAP is the Venue compact SUV. Cars that have scored 5-stars in Euro NCAP’s final testing of 2023 include BMW 5 Series, BYD Seal U, BYD Tang, Kia EV9, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, VW ID.7, and Smart #3.

Also Read: - Citroen C3 Safety Ratings: Global NCAP, Euro NCAP and Latin NCAP

Verdict: The 4-star safety rating of the second-gen Hyundai Kona by Euro NCAP raises criticism, especially with lower scores compared to its predecessor. The study emphasizes the need for Hyundai to address safety concerns and maintain its reputation for top-tier safety standards in the competitive automotive market.