Earlier last month, Hyundai announced that it had voluntarily sent three models to the newly constituted Bharat NCAP for crash testing. Autocar India can now confirm that the Tucson SUV will be one of the first cars, and certainly the first Hyundai, to be crash tested by Bharat NCAP. The Tucson is likely to be followed by the Exter micro-SUV, and results of both can be expected to be announced in the next couple of months.

1. Tucson first of three Hyundais at Bharat NCAP crash tests
2. Gets six airbags as standard, ADAS on top-spec trim

Hyundai Tucson BNCAP crash test: aiming for 5 stars

The current-gen Tucson has already been crash tested by Euro NCAP and Latin NCAP in 2021 and 2022, respectively. It scored 5 stars in the former and 3 stars in the latter – the two NCAPs have slightly different testing protocols and scoring systems (with the latter being the stricter of the two), which explains the difference.

Notably, both NCAPs rated the body shell and footwell area of the Tucson – that came equipped with six airbags as standard – as stable, and the car also complied with pedestrian protection norms. The Tucson has also undergone the side pole impact test where it fared well, and it even boasts of an advanced safety assist system with functions such as lane assist and autonomous emergency braking. Latin NCAP also tested the safety assist features, but it didn't add up to the overall rating as it failed to meet the minimum fitment requirement.

Given that the India-spec Tucson comes equipped with six airbags, ABS, ESC, three-point seat belts and seatbelt reminders for all seats as standard, Hyundai will be gunning for a full 5-star rating for what is essentially their flagship ICE vehicle in India. The top-spec Tucson even gets ADAS features, although Bharat NCAP, which is modelled on the lines of the latest Global NCAP protocols, does not really factor in advanced safety assist systems into the overall rating.

The Exter is likely to follow the Tucson in Bharat NCAP crash test, and this too can be expected to fare well at the Bharat NCAP as it also comes with all the aforementioned safety features as standard, except for ESC.

With heightened conversation around safety these days, securing a strong result at the BNCAP crash tests for its popular models will be hugely important for Hyundai as it has never managed to secure more than 3 stars at Global NCAP, until the new Verna scored a 5-star rating.

Bharat NCAP testing delayed slightly

The Bharat NCAP protocols were set to kickstart from October 1, but with no test results out yet, the programme stands delayed. That’s because manufacturers are toiling to secure units for crash testing amidst supply constraints. Reports claim that Bharat NCAP can commence crash testing around mid-December, which means the first reports can be expected by the end of this year, or early next year.