The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is one of two cars tested so far to received the highest safety rating possible of five stars by the new safety rating system, says Illinois Hyundai dealer World Hyundai.

Chicago Hyundai dealership World Hyundai announces that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata has received the highest safety rating possible of five stars.

The 2011 Sonata, available now at World Hyundai, is one of only two vehicles out of the first 24 vehicles testes under the new rating system to achieve the highest rating. The Transportation Department is currently making changes to the government’s existing 5-Star Safety Rating System that will make it more difficult for new cars and trucks to earn top scores.

“More stars equal safer cars,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Through new tests, better crash data and higher standards, we are making the safety ratings tougher and more meaningful for consumers.”

The new safety ranking system adds an overall score and considers crash-prevention technologies and a new test that simulates a car striking a pole to make a more accurate ranking. The overall score is created by combining the results of front, side and rollover tests and comparing those results with average risk of injury and the potential for vehicle rollover of other vehicles.

The “Stars on Cars” safety rating system was first implemented in 1979 by the U.S. government and is administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. So many vehicles were receiving the highest rating using the old system, and with increases in technology, changes in the system were needed to update the safety standards for current times. The new system makes it harder to achieve a perfect score.

The two cars of the first 34 vehicles tested under the new program received the top grade of five stars, the 2011 BMW 5 Series and the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. So far, the average stars achieved by vehicles tested are four stars. The Toyota Camry, the best-selling passenger car in the United States, received three stars by the new rating system.

Hyundai Chicago Dealer

Features that make the 2011 Hyundai Sonata safe car include driver, passenger, side head, and rear head air bags, 4-wheel ABS, Traction Control Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist, shift interlock system, body-side reinforcements, hood buckling creases and safety stops, front and rear crumple zones, energy-absorbing steering column and more.

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is available now at Matteson Auto Mall dealer World Hyundai.

For more information on the all-new Hyundai Sonata, visit http://www.the2011hyundaisonata.com.