Will Latest Veloster Accolade Sell More Hyundais?

The 2014 Hyundai Veloster has been awarded an overall five-star crash test rating, the highest rating given by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It joins other models in the lineup like the Genesis, Genesis Coupe and Sonata. Will safety be the key to selling Hyundais?

All Velosters are given Hyundai’s state-of-the-art braking package. The package includes four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) including Brake Assist, which provides maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected, and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), to automatically adjust the braking force to front and rear axles based on vehicle loading conditions.

Additionally, all Velosters feature six airbags—including dual front, front seat-mounted side-impact, and front and rear side curtain airbags, along with a rear-view camera and daytime running lights for added safety and security.

This focus on safety could be what Hyundai needs to pull out of its sales doldrums. Until the 2015 Hyundai Sonata goes on sale later this year the company needs to promote how safe its products are. Otherwise it could face difficulty keeping up with strong competition in the midsize segment.

Separated by test, the Veloster received four stars in front and rollover crash tests, and five stars in the side crash test. This is the first time the Veloster has been rated under NHTSA’s tougher tests and five-star rating system.

The Veloster employs high levels of standard safety features by means of a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system, which optimally manages ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and the Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS).

For 2014, the Veloster comes in several configurations: Veloster, Veloster Turbo and, new for 2014, the RE:FLEX and Veloster Turbo R-Spec. All variants use Hyundai’s 1.6-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine, while Veloster Turbo and Veloster Turbo R-Spec receive a force-fed diet of high-pressure air through a new, twin-scroll turbocharger. With a combination of safety, sportiness and fun, the Veloster continues to breathe new life into the subcompact car category.

“The Veloster nameplate was designed to bring a new, unconventional look to the subcompact car segment without compromising occupant safety,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Through the employment of high-tech safety systems like Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist and the use of high-strength, yet lightweight materials during construction, we are able to deliver a package that is unique, but safer than ever.”

With its five star NHTSA rating, the Veloster joins the Elantra, Elantra GT, Genesis, Genesis Coupe, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Sport and Sonata which all received five stars overall from the NHTSA in their most-recent model years.