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Hyundai Elantra

1996-2000 models

MODERATE OVERLAP FRONT TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Acceptable

Structure/safety cage	Injury measures				Restraints/dummy kinematics
Structure/safety cage	Head/neck	Chest	Leg/foot, left	Leg/foot, right	Restraints/dummy kinematics

Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

Good Good Acceptable Marginal Poor Poor

Test details:

The Hyundai Elantra was redesigned for the 1996 model year. Bumpers were improved starting with 1999 models.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was reasonably well controlled. During rebound, the dummy moved toward the driver door, which had bowed outward, and its head hit the B-pillar.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the chest and left leg indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. A high head acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the B-pillar, indicating that injuries to the head would be possible. Forces on the right knee indicate that injuries to the knee would be possible.

Left to right:

Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test.
The driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well, although there was more rearward movement of the instrument panel than is desirable.
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the B-pillar. High head acceleration was recorded from this impact.
Rear bumpers on 1996-98 models allowed excessive damage in a 5 mph pole impact (left). Bumpers on 1999 and later models are much improved. They allowed virtually no damage in the same test (right).

Additional features:

Antilock brakes (optional)

Tested vehicle specifications:

1997 Hyundai Elantra 4-door
Class: Small car
Weight: 2,643 lbs.
Side airbags: none
Wheelbase: 100 in.
Length: 174 in.
Width: 67 in.
Engine: 1.8 L 4-cylinder
EPA ratings: 23 mpg city | 31 mpg highway

See all test results for Hyundai Elantra

Last updated: September 2, 2005