Hyundai’s NEXO SUV has received a “Top Safety Pick+” award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It is also the first hydrogen-powered vehicle tested by the organization.
To qualify as a “2019 Top Safety Pick+” recipient, the vehicle must perform well in a series of crash tests, including front (driver and passenger sides) and side impact testing. The strength of the roof structure and headrests in the event of a rollover is also analyzed, as well as the quality of the crash prevention systems. Hyundai stated that the NEXO excelled in the six categories required to receive the award.
The frontal crash prevention systems were found to be Superior, a rating attributed to systems that surpass current standards. The vehicle avoided collisions during track testing at 19 km/h and 40 km/h. The vehicle’s Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system also satisfied the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria as well.
To top it all off, the vehicle is equipped with a standard assistance system that adjusts the intensity of the headlights to adjust to the presence of the other vehicles on the road.