2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
midsize SUV / 4-door SUV
Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
Small overlap front: driver-side
Rating applies to 2017-18 models built after March 2016
Tested vehicle: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4-door 4wd
The Hyundai Santa Fe was redesigned for the 2013 model year. There were now two distinct Santa Fe models, a 2-row Sport and a somewhat longer and heavier 3-row Santa Fe.
Beginning with 2017 models, extensive structural reinforcement of the occupant compartment was made to improve occupant protection in small overlap and moderate overlap frontal crashes. Starting with 2017 models built after March 2016, the driver safety belt was modified to further improve occupant protection in driver-side small overlap crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)
The small overlap ratings on this page apply only to the 3-row Santa Fe, including the 3-row Santa Fe XL, introduced in the 2019 model year with only a new name. The Santa Fe Sport was tested separately, as was the redesigned 2019 2-row Santa Fe.
| 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 driver-side 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 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.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | CEN1621 |
|---|---|
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 11 |
| Footrest (cm) | 10 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 6 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 4 |
| Parking brake (cm) | 9 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 3 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 7 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 9 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 6 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID | CEN1621 |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 110 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 13 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.17 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 20 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 4.5 |
| Right | 1.0 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 11 |
| Right | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 2 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.52 |
| Right | 0.40 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.9 |
| Right | 0.8 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 60 |
| Right | 49 |
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Rating applies to 2017-18 models
Tested vehicle: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4-door 4wd
The Hyundai Santa Fe was redesigned for the 2013 model year. There were now two distinct Santa Fe models, a 2-row Sport and a somewhat longer and heavier 3-row Santa Fe.
Beginning with 2017 models, extensive structural reinforcement of the occupant compartment was made to improve occupant protection in small overlap and moderate overlap frontal crashes.
Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai. The ratings on this page apply to both the 3-row Santa Fe (tested) and the Santa Fe Sport through the 2018 model year.
Beginning with the 2019 model year, the 3-row Santa Fe was renamed the Santa Fe XL, and the 2-row Santa Fe Sport was redesigned and renamed the Santa Fe. The 2019 Santa Fe XL therefore shares the ratings on this page, but the redesigned 2019 Santa Fe is rated separately.
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Chest | |
| Hip/thigh | |
| Lower leg/foot | |
|
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but slid off toward the right side, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward structure. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag also deployed. | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Chest | |
| Hip/thigh | |
| Lower leg/foot | |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics |
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side
| Test ID | VTP1711 |
|---|---|
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 18 |
| Footrest (cm) | 18 |
| Right toepan (cm) | 11 |
| Center toepan (cm) | 5 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 7 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Center dash (cm) | 7 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 17 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 14 |
| Right lower dash (cm) | 14 |
Passenger injury measures
| Test ID | VTP1711 |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 115 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.4 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 32 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.40 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 17 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.8 |
| Right | 3.2 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 3 |
| Right | 9 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.34 |
| Right | 0.52 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.7 |
| Right | 1.1 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 54 |
| Right | 59 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID | VTP1711 |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 57 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.6 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 9 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.13 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 29 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.6 |
| Right | 0.6 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 1 |
| Right | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.28 |
| Right | 0.23 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.3 |
| Right | 1.2 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 25 |
| Right | 29 |
Moderate overlap front: original test
Rating applies to 2017-18 models
Tested vehicle: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4 4-door 4wd
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport was introduced in the 2013 model year, with two rows of seats and distinct from the somewhat longer and heavier Santa Fe, which has three rows of seats. Beginning with 2017 models, extensive structural reinforcement of the occupant compartment was made to improve occupant protection in small overlap and moderate overlap frontal crashes.
Moderate overlap ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai. Ratings apply to both 2-row and 3-row models through the 2018 model year.
Beginning with the 2019 model year, the 3-row Santa Fe was renamed the Santa Fe XL, and the 2-row Santa Fe Sport was redesigned and renamed the Santa Fe. The 2019 Santa Fe XL therefore shares the ratings on this page, but the redesigned 2019 Santa Fe is rated separately.
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Chest | |
| Leg/foot, left | |
| Leg/foot, right | |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics |
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | VTF1611 |
|---|---|
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 2 |
| Left (cm) | 4 |
| Center (cm) | 3 |
| Right (cm) | 3 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 5 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 0 |
| Right (cm) | 1 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 1 |
| Rearward (cm) | -1 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID | VTF1611 |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 159 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 12 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.19 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 28 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force - left (kN) | 0.5 |
| Femur force - right (kN) | 1.0 |
| Knee displacement - left (mm) | 1 |
| Knee displacement - right (mm) | 3 |
| Maximum tibia index - left | 0.28 |
| Maximum tibia index - right | 0.37 |
| Tibia axial force - left (kN) | 1.4 |
| Tibia axial force - right (kN) | 1.8 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 35 |
| Right | 53 |
Side: original test
Rating applies to 2013-18 models
Tested vehicle: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 4-door 2wd with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags
The Hyundai Santa Fe was redesigned for the 2013 model year. There were now two distinct Santa Fe models, a 2-row Sport and a somewhat longer and heavier 3-row Santa Fe. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai. (Note that the vehicle tested was a 2-wheel-drive Sport model, but extra weight was added to the vehicle to increase its curb weight to that of a comparable 4-wheel drive model.) Ratings apply to both 2-row and 3-row models through the 2018 model year.
Beginning with the 2019 model year, the 3-row Santa Fe was renamed the Santa Fe XL, and the 2-row Santa Fe Sport was redesigned and renamed the Santa Fe. The 2019 Santa Fe XL therefore shares the ratings on this page, but the redesigned 2019 Santa Fe is rated separately.
| 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 | |
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | VTS1206 |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) | -15.0 |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. | |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID | VTS1206 |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 165 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 27 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 27 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 20 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 7.00 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.50 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Combined force (kN) | 3.2 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.8 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 182 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 34 |
Passenger injury measures
| Test ID | VTS1206 |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 109 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.8 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.50 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.50 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.2 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Combined force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.9 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 106 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 31 |
Roof strength
Rating applies to 2013-18 models
Tested vehicle: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T 4-door 4wd
Rating applies to both the 2-row Santa Fe Sport (tested) and the somewhat longer and heavier 3-row Santa Fe for the 2013-18 model years. The rating applies only to the 3-row Santa Fe XL for the 2019 model year.
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,877 lbs |
| Peak force | 16,982 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.38 |
Head restraints & seats
Seat type: Power leather seats
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | |
| Seat/head restraint geometry |
| Seat type | Power leather seats |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 17 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | -2 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 11.4 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 58 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 0 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 324 |
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)
- SE Ultimate trim equipped with Tech package
- Limited Ultimate trim equipped with Tech package
| Low-beam headlight type | HID projector |
|---|---|
| High-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
|
Overall rating | |
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
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 good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.
High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.
| Trim level(s) |
|
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| High-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
|
Overall rating Applies to 2017-18 models |
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 94.1 m | None |
| Straightaway left edge | 52.3 m | None |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 84.4 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 48.6 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 73.1 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, right edge | 48.7 m | None |
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 158.9 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 128.0 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 86.6 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 80.0 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 74.0 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 65.7 m |
Trim level(s)
- SE trim
- Limited trim
- SE Ultimate trim
- Limited Ultimate trim
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
|---|---|
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
|
Overall rating | |
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
| Trim level(s) |
|
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
|
Overall rating Applies to 2017-18 models |
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 71.9 m | None |
| Straightaway left edge | 37.4 m | None |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 46.8 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 38.4 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 39.8 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 37.0 m | None |
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 148.5 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 111.8 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 57.5 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 55.2 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 48.9 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 46.1 m |
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Child seat anchors
Rating applies to 2017-18 models
| Overall evaluation | |
| Vehicle trim | SE (3-row) |
| 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 trim | SE (3-row) |
| Seat type | cloth |
| G | Good |
| A | Acceptable |
| M | Marginal |
| P | Poor |
| 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 |
| Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s) | |
| No hardware available |
Details by seating position
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| Tether anchor | |
| easy-to-find location | |
| 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 | |
| other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
| Lower anchors | |
| none available | |
| 3 | |
| Tether anchor | |
| easy-to-find location | |
| 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 |
Seat position 21
| Lower anchor A | |
|---|---|
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 0-2 |
| Force (lbs) | 3 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 82 |
| Lower anchor B | |
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 2-4 |
| Force (lbs) | 9 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 71 |
| Tether anchor | |
| Location | Middle seatback |
| Confusing hardware present | Yes |
| 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
| Lower anchor A | |
|---|---|
| No lower latch for this seat position | |
| Lower anchor B | |
| No lower latch for this seat position | |
| Tether anchor | |
| Location | Middle seatback |
| Confusing hardware present | Yes |
| 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
| Lower anchor A | |
|---|---|
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 0-2 |
| Force (lbs) | 7 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 83 |
| Lower anchor B | |
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 2-4 |
| Force (lbs) | 6 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 85 |
| Tether anchor | |
| Location | Middle seatback |
| Confusing hardware present | Yes |
| 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 |