Hyundai Tucson Gets Zero Stars In Latin NCAP Safety Tests With Dual Airbags

• In India the Tucson gets six airbags as standard. 

• Active safety features present in top-spec Signature trim. 

• SUVs tested by Latin NCAP didn’t have ADAS. 

The Hyundai Tucson has received subpar safety ratings from the Latin New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP). The SUV’s dual-airbag variant scored an appalling zero stars, while the six-airbag variant (similar to the standard India-spec SUV) managed an unimpressive three-star rating.

Hyundai Tucson Latin NCAP Safety Rating 

The Tucson’s dual airbag variant received a 50.23 percent score for adult occupant protection but only 5.34 percent for child occupant safety. 

Although the protection for the child dummies seated with the child seats was adequate as per the agency’s standards, several child seat models failed to install correctly onto the SUV’s ISOFIX mounts and the marking wasn’t to Latin NCAP’s criteria. 

A child seat can’t be mounted on the front passenger seat of the SUV since it doesn’t have a switch to disable the passenger side front airbag.

In addition, the dual-airbag variant sold in South American markets lacks stability control, rear seat belt reminders and active safety features. So, it only managed to score six per cent in the Safety Assist category. Pedestrian protection was rated at 48.4 per cent.  

On the other hand, the six airbags managed a decent, but hardly stellar, three-star rating overall. It scored 82 per cent for adult protection and 70 per cent for child safety. On the plus side, the body structure and footwell were rated stable, but the driver’s knees could impact structures below the dashboard.

Which safety features does the Tucson get in India? 

The India-spec Hyundai Tucson gets six airbags, stability control, front parking sensors, a blind spot monitor and a 360-degree camera as standard.

It also debuted Hyundai’s suite of active driver-assistance and active safety features (ADAS), exclusive to the top-spec Signature trim, in India. They include high beam assist, driver attention warning, lane departure warning and forward collision prevention with pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Also read: 

• Hyundai Tucson Launched In India At Rs 27.7 Lakh

• EXCLUSIVE: Next-gen Hyundai Verna To Be Much Safer With ADAS Features

The Tucson’s safety rating might seem alarming, but given its stable body structure and wide array of safety features, buyers of the Tucson in India shouldn’t be worried. Nevertheless, the test results highlight the importance of passive safety systems (seatbelts, ISOFIX mounts, etc) and the need for active safety features that prevent collisions in the first place. 

The Tucson retails between Rs 27.7 lakh and Rs 34.54 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India) and rivals the Citroen C5 Aircross and Volkswagen Tiguan in addition to the Jeep Compass.