The third-gen Hyundai Tucson, which is the one currently offered in the local market, received a zero-star safety rating from the Latin New Car Assessment Programme (Latin NCAP).
Hyundai Tucson at Latin NCAP
Under the crash test results, the Korean compact crossover achieved 51.21 percent in the Adult Occupant category, 4.37 percent in the Child Occupant category, 49.85 percent in Pedestrian Protection and Vulnerable category, and 6.98 percent in the Safety Assist category.
According to Latin NCAP, the Hyundai Tucson performed well in the front impact and side-impact for adult protection. But the lack of standard side head protection airbags limited the vehicle from getting a better score. To note, only two frontal airbags were installed to the model tested by the safety assessment program.
The lack of an Autonomous Emergency Braking feature caused the Tucson’s Pedestrian Protection to get a poor score. Meanwhile, the Child Occupant Protection didn’t deliver as well as the safety for front passengers, receiving a poor performance due to the use of a lap belt only and Hyundai declining to select Child Restraint Systems (CRS) for the test.
Third-gen Hyundai Tucson
Amid the poor crash-test results, Latin NCAP also ran into issues with Hyundai. Frontal parts of cars tested for Passive Pedestrian Safety are replaced for new ones after each test. But the Hyundai Tucson crash test took longer at over seven months to accomplish for two potential reasons. Either Hyundai is delaying the results or the automaker just has an inefficient spare parts system, which is not good for consumers.
Latin NCAP noted that its Hyundai Tucson crash test is still relevant considering markets like the Philippines are still offering the third-gen model. But that could change anytime now as Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) announced late last year that the next-gen Tucson will be arriving in the country this 2021. After all, there are still three weeks to go before 2021 ends.
Hyundai Tucson Latin NCAP Crash Test
The all-new Hyundai Tucson could be the better option for Filipino car buyers who prioritize safety as it recently got a 5-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP). Latin NCAP also offered to test out the next-gen Tucson, but Hyundai declined.
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