The 2017 Hyundai Elantra in Matthews, NC is new. However, just like episodes I,II, and III of Star Wars, new isn’t always better. To remedy this issue, Hyundai did something that some automakers have failed to do for years. When they released this new model, they made sure it was actually better. The 2017 Hyundai Elantra has seen some improvements since its most recent iteration, especially in the safety department. With state-of-the-art safety features like dynamic bending light, high beam assist, smart cruise control, and blind spot detection, it’s easy to see that. But, the Elantra also has a few tricks up its sleeve, like being the first vehicle in its segment to offer emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
Combine these preventive safety measures with all the tried and true methods of protecting the driver and passenger during a crash, and you have a vehicle that’s both new and better.
America’s Best Warranty
On top of all these safety features, the 2017 Elantra is still carrying Hyundai’s best warranty in America. This is a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, that will cover almost every issue caused by an outside source. In other words, any issues that the driver doesn’t create. It’s part of the Hyundai Assurance coverage, which has enhancements that make the driving experience less nerve-wracking. This includes 24/7 Roadside Assistance for the first five years of ownership, along with towing, help for a flat tire or dead battery, and assistance if you run out of gas or lock yourself out of the vehicle.
How does the warranty and Hyundai Assurance relate to the Elantra’s safety features? While it might not seem obvious, it just shows you how much Hyundai values keeping you and your vehicle as safe as possible, suggesting that if they put that much effort into a warranty and Hyundai Assurance, they’ve clearly put considerable effort into outfitting the 2017 Hyundai Elantra with the best safety features available.
Before the Crash
Even back thirty years ago, the only type of preventive safety measures drivers had were the brakes. In 2016, the list has grown drastically, and the advancements in technology have made vehicles safer than ever. While some of these aren’t available on the base trim level, all of them either come optional or standard on the Limited trim and they are definitely worth the extra money.
Automatic Emergency Braking with Segment-First Pedestrian Detection
This advanced safety feature uses a camera and radar to scan for vehicles and pedestrians in front of the Elantra. If this system detects that a collision is unavoidable and you don’t react in a timely manner, it will deploy automatic emergency braking. While this is heard of on other types of vehicles, it’s a class-first win for the Elantra, and it’s even better than the other systems out there. It can apply full brake-force stopping power, not just partial, anywhere from five to 50 mph.
Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
A combination of features rolled into one, this system allows the Elantra to do a couple of things. Like the previous safety system, it’s also a radar based one. It will provide an audio and visual alert when it detects a vehicle in the driver’s blind spot. That way, if you are unsure if it’s safe to change lanes or not, you have a system that can help reinforce your decision. Using the same radar technology when the vehicle is put in reverse, the rear cross-traffic alert will identify and warn the driver of vehicles approaching from the side. Between this system and the pedestrian detection system mentioned previously, the Elantra’s got your back, side, and front.
Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist
This available system will inform you when you begin to drift outside of your lane without using a turn signal. Not using your turn signal will cause the system to assume you are drifting-off behind the wheel, and provide visual and audio cues that prompt you to correct yourself. If not, then the lane keep assist feature will kick in and apply corrective steering in order to bring you back into your intended lane.
Smart Cruise Control
Smart cruise control is another great radar-based safety system found on the 2017 Hyundai Elantra. This system activates radar when cruise control is turned on, and is used to detect a vehicle that gets too close to the Elantra when cruising. If it detects the Elantra is approaching the vehicle in front too fast, it will automatically and safely reduce the speed.
Dynamic Bending Light and High Beam Assist
Finally, the dynamic bending light and high beam assist system is one of the more impressive safety features the Elantra has to offer. This system can detect when the steering wheel turns, and will adjust the light in order to match the turn. That way when going around dark corners at night, the light will be there before your eyes are. And just in case there’s a car waiting around that corner, the high beam assist will automatically dim the high beams when oncoming traffic is detected.
As you can see, when it comes to preventing a crash, Hyundai has thought of everything. Whether it’s the side, back, or front of the vehicle that’s at risk, the Elantra has a system to provide a warning or prevent a crash that would otherwise be unavoidable.
If a Crash Occurs
Just in case a crash occurs, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra still comes with a slew of tried and true safety features that have withstood the test of time. With six total airbags that make the inside of the Elantra look like a rolling pillow when they are all deployed (including one for the driver’s knees), and side impact beams in the doors, the Elantra will make sure you stay in a cocoon of safety during a collision. Strategically placed front and rear crumple zones ensure that the force of a forward or backward collision is mitigated before reaching the cabin, and an energy absorbing steering column with an air bag in the steering wheel will help keep the driver safe if they are thrown against the steering wheel.
Even though the 2017 Hyundai Elantra hasn’t received a safety rating — or undergone any crash tests yet — it’s safe to assume that it will do quite well based on how big Hyundai is on safety. While the crash tests might not take into account the preventive safety measures like pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, it’s reassuring in the real world to know there are systems set in place to help you out, and that Hyundai is constantly finding ways to make their cars better — not just new.
