The 2021 Hyundai Tucson has scored zero stars in a recent crash test conducted by the Latin New Car Assessment Programme (Latin NCAP). The 2021 Tucson is the third-gen model, and Hyundai has moved on to a next-generation model in markets like Europe and America, while this version continues to be on sale in several international markets, including India.
- 2021 Tucson scored 51 percent in adult occupant protection
- Child Occupant protection score was only four percent
- Test mule crash tested by Latin NCAP was manufactured in Korea
2021 Hyundai Tucson Latin NCAP crash test results: details
Standard safety equipment on the test variant of the Hyundai Tucson included dual front airbags, seat belt pretensioners, ISOFIX child seat mounts in the rear seats and a driver side seat belt warning.
In terms of adult occupant protection, the Tucson scored 20.48 points or 51 percent. In the frontal offset impact, the Tucson offered good protection to the passenger’s head, neck, chest and knee regions, although it was only adequate for the driver’s chest and marginal for the driver’s knees. Even the bodyshell was rated stable and capable of withstanding further load.
In the other two categories – whiplash rear impact test and side movable deformable barrier test – the Tucson scored fairly well with 2.46/3 and 7.86/8 points respectively.
Where the Tucson really lost points was in child occupant protection as Hyundai did not recommend a child restraint system (CRS), leading to zero points in dynamic test. Moreover, most of the CRS' tested for installation failed. Secondly, the middle seat in the second row only came with a lap belt, again leading to zero points in vehicle-based assessment. The Tucson only scored 2.14 out of 49 possible, or just four percent in child occupancy protection.
The Tucson also lost out major points in terms of safety assist systems as features like electronic stability control (ESC) and passenger side seat belt reminder were only optional. Even side airbags on the Latin-spec Tucson are optional extras.
Hyundai Tucson in India
It’s worth noting that the current Tucson on sale here is the third-generation model, although it is significantly better equipped than the version crash tested by Latin NCAP. These test results, thus, do not apply to the model sold here.
In India, the Hyundai Tucson comes loaded with safety features such as six airbags, ESC, vehicle stability management (VSM), hill-start assist control, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), brake assist, three-point seat belts for all three passengers at the rear, ISOFIX anchors, front and rear parking sensors with a reverse parking camera and more as standard. What’s common between the India and Latin-spec models are just the seatbelt pretensioners, ISOFIX anchorages and driver side seat belt warning.
In other news, Hyundai is looking to bring the fourth-gen Tucson to India soon. A camouflaged test mule of the same was recently spied here. Moreover, the new Tucson has already received a 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, something that should bode well with the customers.
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
