Nexo, G70 and K9 take top safety awards

Hyundai’s Nexo

Vehicles from Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors were awarded three top safety prizes in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s 2018 Korean New Car Assessment Program (Kncap) on Wednesday in a ceremony held at the InterContinental Seoul Coex in southern Seoul.

Hyundai Motor’s hydrogen-powered sport-utility vehicle (SUV) Nexo, mid-sized sedan Genesis G70 and Kia Motors’ large-sized sedan, the K9, were awarded top Kncap prizes in their size segments.

Vehicles were tested in three key areas - collision, pedestrian and accident prevention safety. The program assessed 11 vehicles this year, including four imported models.

Hyundai’s eco-friendly vehicle, the Nexo, received perfect scores in front and side collision safety, pedestrian leg protection and advanced driver assistance system to not only win the top safety prize in its segment but also to win two other special awards: the top safety eco-friendly vehicle award and the top children’s safety award.

Hyundai Motor said that the automaker conducted a variety of tests on the hydrogen-powered Nexo to ensure the safety of its high-pressure hydrogen tank such as shooting it with a bullet along with other fire-safety tests.

Kia Motors’ flagship large-sized sedan, the K9, also scored top marks to receive a special award in top accident prevention on top of its top award for segment size.

Meanwhile, the Genesis G70, awarded the top prize in the mid-sized sedan segment, ensures pedestrian safety with an active hood system that automatically lifts the hood of the vehicle if it collides with a pedestrian.

BY CHAE YUN-HWAN [chae.yunhwan@joongang.co.kr]