New-Gen Hyundai Tucson Scores Three-Stars In Latin NCAP Crash Test

The Latin New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) has crash tested the new-gen Hyundai Tucson. The SUV bagged just three-stars in the Latin NCAP crash test rating despite being equipped with six-airbags. The variants sold in India do come equipped with six-airbags, but few markets also get other lower variants of the Hyundai Tucson which get just two airbags which performed even worse, scoring zero-stars in the Latin NCAP test. The new version of the Tucson was tested for frontal impact, side impact, whiplash and pedestrian protection.

The SUV scored 81.61 per cent in Adult Occupant protection, 69.53 per cent in Child Occupant protection, 48.40 per cent in Pedestrian Protection and in Vulnerable Road Users area its scored 55.81 per cent for safety assist. These safety features showed just about satisfactory performance despite Hyundai updating the ISOFIX-size marking and making three-point belts standard among other improvements. The Advanced Driver Assist (ADAS) features like Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Support Systems and Road Edge Detection were also tested and showed good performance. That said, these variants do not contribute to the ratings and as they are optional in most of the markets and contribute marginally to Tucson sales.

Latin NCAP said that the lack of side curtain airbags as standard limited the score and better performance in Adult Occupant Protection. The lack of ISOFIX anchorage points along with standard lap belts are basic requirements of Child Protection Standards by the Latin NCAP. Pedestrian Protection was rated as average, however it showed poor protection for some areas of the upper legs. Safety Assist box showed poor results as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is not standard as well as speed limitation.