Top Safety Pick +

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles built after November 2024

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0
Standard system
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Standard rear automatic braking

Key

Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Santa Fe was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 Santa Fe conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2401
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Footrest (cm)	8
Left toepan (cm)	5
Brake pedal (cm)	3
Parking brake (cm)	0
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	2
Lower instrument panel (cm)	3

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2401
Head
HIC-15	76
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	9
Maximum Nij	0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26
Femur (kN)
Left	0.5
Right	0.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.40
Right	0.39
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.5
Right	1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	34
Right	40

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Santa Fe was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 Santa Fe conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side 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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2401
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Footrest (cm)	10
Right toepan (cm)	8
Center toepan (cm)	6
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	4
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	3
Upper dash (cm)	2
Right lower dash (cm)	3

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2401
Head
HIC-15	153
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.5
Extension bending moment (Nm)	11
Maximum Nij	0.29
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28
Femur (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	1.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	5
Right	5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.50
Right	0.59
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.8
Right	1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	63
Right	57

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2401
Head
HIC-15	74
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	12
Maximum Nij	0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26
Femur (kN)
Left	0.6
Right	0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.30
Right	0.30
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	26
Right	60

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT 2.5T 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Santa Fe was redesigned for the 2024 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the Institute's moderate overlap frontal crash test.

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

Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head contacted the side curtain airbag during rebound.

Forces on the right lower leg were just high enough to indicate the possibility of injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2416
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	6
Left (cm)	9
Center (cm)	8
Right (cm)	11
Brake pedal (cm)	8
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-2
Rearward (cm)	-4
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2416
Head
HIC-15	190
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	14
Maximum Nij	0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm)	31
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.6
Femur force - right (kN)	2.1
Knee displacement - left (mm)	2
Knee displacement - right (mm)	2
Maximum tibia index - left	0.28
Maximum tibia index - right	0.54
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.3
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	4.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	45
Right	90

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2025 models built after November 2024

Tested vehicle: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Santa Fe was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Beginning with 2025 models built after November 2024, modifications were made to the rear seatbelts to improve rear occupant safety in moderate overlap front 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.)

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head approached the front seatback, which increases the risk of head injuries.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the chest and a moderate risk of injury to the head or neck. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt remained in the ideal position on the pelvis.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2501
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	7
Left (cm)	11
Center (cm)	10
Right (cm)	13
Brake pedal (cm)	11
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	1
Right (cm)	2
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	1
Rearward (cm)	-2
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2501
Head
HIC-15	250
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	15
Maximum Nij	0.29
Chest maximum compression (mm)	31
Femur (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	2.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.42
Right	0.47
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.7
Right	2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	52
Right	56

Test ID	CEF2501
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.2
Compression (kN)	0.3
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	26
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	4.6
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	0.4
Right femur compression	0.4

Rating applies to 2024-25 models built before December 2024

Tested vehicle: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT 2.5T 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Santa Fe was redesigned for the 2024 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head approached the front seatback, which increases the risk of head injuries.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a moderate risk of injury to the head or neck and chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt moved from the ideal position on the pelvis onto the abdomen, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2416
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	6
Left (cm)	9
Center (cm)	8
Right (cm)	11
Brake pedal (cm)	8
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-2
Rearward (cm)	-4
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2416
Head
HIC-15	190
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	14
Maximum Nij	0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm)	31
Femur (kN)
Left	0.6
Right	2.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.28
Right	0.54
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.3
Right	4.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	45
Right	90

Test ID	CEF2416
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.8
Compression (kN)	0.2
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	37
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	4.8
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	0.3
Right femur compression	0.2

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Santa Fe was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 Santa Fe conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2402
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-25.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2402
Head
HIC-15	89
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Compression (kN)	-0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	22
Lateral force (kN)	0.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	34
Average deflection (mm)	29
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.07
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.33
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	5.5

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2402
Head
HIC-15	64
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.5
Compression (kN)	-0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	-22
Lateral force (kN)	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	29
Average deflection (mm)	26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.20
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.20
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	2.6

About the side crash test

Headlights

Trim level(s)

All trims

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
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 left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve and fair on the sharp right and both left curves.

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 fair on the gradual left and both right curves and inadequate on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	All trims
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2024-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	87.9 m	None
Straightaway left edge	57.7 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	69.4 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	55.6 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	54.8 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	46.3 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	163.7 m
Straightaway left edge	141.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	73.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	66.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	58.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	51.9 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

standard Forward Collision Avoidance Assistance

Overall evaluation

Passenger car target

Test run	Speed reduction	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
31 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
37 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
37 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
43 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
43 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided

Motorcycle target

Test run	Speed reduction	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
31 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
37 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
37 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
43 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
43 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided

Semitrailer

Only warning is tested with the semitrailer.

Test run	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered
37 mph/target centered
43 mph/target centered

About the front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

standard Forward Collision Avoidance Assistance

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

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

Crossing adult — night

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult — night

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams and a warning was issued 2.1 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision and a warning was issued 1.4 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	SE
Seat type	leatherette

This vehicle has 4 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	SE
Seat type	leatherette

Rating icon	Rating
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
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
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
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
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
4
4	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
6
6	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	13
Clearance angle (degrees)	82
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	14
Clearance angle (degrees)	77
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Yes

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	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Yes

Seat position 23

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	15
Clearance angle (degrees)	73
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	13
Clearance angle (degrees)	86
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Yes

Seat position 31

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	12
Clearance angle (degrees)	87
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	9
Clearance angle (degrees)	88
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Yes

Seat position 33

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	10
Clearance angle (degrees)	86
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	11
Clearance angle (degrees)	85
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Yes

About the child seat anchor evaluation

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	51 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	67 dB
Difference between background and signal	15.8 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	54 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	66 dB
Difference between background and signal	12.0 dB
Dominant audio frequency	552 Hz