Top Safety PickTop Safety Pick criteria

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

small pickup / Crew cab pickup

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Crew cab pickup

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Optional system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Optional system
Superior
Standard system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz SEL crew cab 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Santa Cruz, the first pickup in Hyundai's lineup, was introduced for the 2022 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN2106
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 7
Footrest (cm) 4
Left toepan (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 6
Upper dash (cm) 5
Lower instrument panel (cm) 4

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN2106
Head
HIC-15 72
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 16
Maximum Nij 0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 1.3
Right 0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 2
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.59
Right 0.51
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.2
Right 0.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 34
Right 42

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz crew cab 4wd

The Hyundai Santa Cruz, the first pickup in Hyundai's lineup, was introduced for the 2022 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP2115
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 9
Footrest (cm) 7
Right toepan (cm) 4
Center toepan (cm) 2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 5
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Upper dash (cm) 3
Right lower dash (cm) 3

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP2115
Head
HIC-15 72
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 18
Maximum Nij 0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm) 32
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.30
Right 0.78
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 30
Right 25

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP2115
Head
HIC-15 43
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.30
Right 0.21
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 0.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 34
Right 29

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE crew cab 4wd

The Hyundai Santa Cruz, the first pickup in Hyundai's lineup, was introduced for the 2022 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Santa Cruz conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF2112
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 3
Left (cm) 5
Center (cm) 7
Right (cm) 7
Brake pedal (cm) 8
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 0
Rearward (cm) -4
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF2112
Head
HIC-15 150
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 11
Maximum Nij 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 27
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.3
Femur force - right (kN) 0.7
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.32
Maximum tibia index - right 0.52
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.8
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 53
Right 59

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2022-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz SEL crew cab 4wd

The Hyundai Santa Cruz, the first pickup in Hyundai's lineup, was introduced for the 2022 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS2114
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -17.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2114
Head HIC-15 181
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Compression (kN) -0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 36
Lateral force (kN) 1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 37
Average deflection (mm) 34
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.64
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.63
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.3
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.0
Combined force (kN) 2.3
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.4
L-M moment (Nm) 47
A-P moment (Nm) -23

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2114
Head HIC-15 134
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.4
Compression (kN) -0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 39
Lateral force (kN) 1.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 36
Average deflection (mm) 32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 5.14
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.75
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.1
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.3
Combined force (kN) 1.4
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.4
L-M moment (Nm) 117
A-P moment (Nm) 22

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2022-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Tucson SE 4-door 4wd

Ratings apply to the Hyundai Tucson (tested) and the structurally similar 2022 Santa Cruz and 2023 Kia Sportage.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,474 lbs
Peak force17,527 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.05

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power leather seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 18
Distance below top of head (mm) -8
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 11.7
Head contact time (ms) 67
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 14
Max neck tension (N) 347

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • SEL Premium trim
  • Limited trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • SEL Premium trim
  • Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2022-23 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 104.6 m None
Straightaway left edge 56.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 78.3 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 44.5 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 65.2 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 56.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 173.1 m
Straightaway left edge 164.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 84.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 76.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 67.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 59.4 m

Trim level(s)

  • SE trim
  • SEL trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on the gradual right curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • SE trim
  • SEL trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2022-23 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 115.8 m None
Straightaway left edge 47.8 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 47.8 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 39.9 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 38.3 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 34.7 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 122.7 m
Straightaway left edge 95.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 48.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 48.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 37.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 39.0 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

  • Standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2022-23 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

System details

  • Optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection

Package name

  • Optional by trim (Limited)

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2022 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

System details

  • optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2022-25 models of the following trim lines: Limited trim

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 36 mph. A warning was issued 1.9 seconds before impact.

System details

  • standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2022-24 models of the following trim lines: SE trim, SEL trim, SEL Premium trim

Superior
Superior

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 34 mph. A warning was issued 1.9 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
DurationLong enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
None
Technical measurements for this test
Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h 53 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h 64 dB
Difference between background and signal 10.9 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h 55 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h 63 dB
Difference between background and signal 8.1 dB
Dominant audio frequency 552 Hz

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimSEL
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimSEL
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 18
Clearance angle (degrees) 74
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 17
Clearance angle (degrees) 84
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 14
Clearance angle (degrees) 80
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 15
Clearance angle (degrees) 77
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation