One of the hottest vehicles made by the South Korean manufacturer, the Hyundai Veloster, managed to surprise a lot of people after it scored a five star rating at the latest Euro NCAP testing.
According to the Euro NCAP specialists, here are the results:
- Adult occupant:
The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact. For both front seat occupants, protection of all body areas was good apart from the lower legs, protection of which was adequate. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger. Hyundai showed that a similar level of protection would be provided for occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different seating positions. In the side barrier test, all body areas were well protected and the car scored maximum points. Even in the more severe side pole test, protection was good and the Veloster scored maximum points. Similarly, the seat and head restraint provided good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision.
- Child occupant:
The Veloster lost only a fraction of a point in the dynamic tests for its protection of the 3 year dummy. Forward movement of that dummy, sat in a forward facing restraint, was not excessive and, in the side impact, both dummies were properly contained by their restraints, minimising the likelihood of dangerous head contacts. The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded. Clear information is provided regarding the dangers of using a rearward facing child restraint in that seat without first disabling the airbag.
- Pedestrian:
Protection provided by the bumper and front edge of the bonnet to the legs and pelvis of a struck pedestrian was good or marginal. In the area likely to be struck by the head of a child, the bonnet offered some good protection but also some areas of marginal and poor protection. Protection for the head of a struck adult was predominantly poor.
- Safety assist:
Electronic stability control is standard on the Veloster, as is a seat belt reminder for the driver and front pasenger seats. A speed limitation device is not offered for this car.
