FOUNTAIN VALLEY, California — Hyundai Motor's new flagship, the rear-wheel-drive Genesis sedan, was given five stars by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in front and side-impact crash tests. The car's standard eight airbags, electronic active head restraints and electronic stability control were credited for the top rating.NHTSA issued five-star ratings in the front driver and passenger, side driver, side rear passenger, and rollover testing, all the categories for which the Genesis was tested.The 2009 Genesis is being billed by Hyundai as 'a rival to the world's premier sport sedans.' The standard electronic active head restraints — previously a form of technology seen on high-end marques such as Mercedes-Benz and Lexus — are part of Hyundai's effort to compete in that category, the automaker says.The eight airbags are two in front, seat-mounted side-impact airbags in both front and rear, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags in both front and rear. The Genesis also has four-wheel ABS with brake assist and electronic brake distribution.The Genesis is priced starting at $33,000 for the V6-powered version and $38,000 for the 4.6-liter V8 model.What this means to you: Good news for the ambitious automaker and its customers. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent