Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2016 Hyundai Tucson

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention

2016 Hyundai Tucson 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

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

Crash avoidance & mitigation

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

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning

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 2016-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Hyundai Tucson SE 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Tucson was redesigned for the 2016 model year, and the Kia Sportage was redesigned for the 2017 model year (the two vehicles are now built on the same platform).

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.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1522
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Footrest (cm) 7
Left toepan (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 6
Parking brake (cm) 15
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 5
Lower instrument panel (cm) 4

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1522
Head
HIC-15 399
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 27
Maximum Nij 0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 2.4
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 9
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.52
Right 0.68
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.1
Right 1.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 55
Right 83

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2016-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Hyundai Tucson SE 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Tucson was redesigned for the 2016 model year, and the Kia Sportage was redesigned for the 2017 model year (the two vehicles are now built on the same platform).

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

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger’s survival space was maintained reasonably well.

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

Despite lateral intrusion of the door sill, the risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID CN15005
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 19
Footrest (cm) 15
Right toepan (cm) 11
Center toepan (cm) 9
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 12
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 6
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 11
Upper dash (cm) 10
Right lower dash (cm) 8

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CN15005
Head
HIC-15 321
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm) 28
Maximum Nij 0.38
Chest maximum compression (mm) 27
Femur (kN)
Left 0.0
Right 1.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 2
Right 3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.34
Right 0.80
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.2
Right 1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 69
Right 52

Driver injury measures

Test ID CN15005
Head
HIC-15 61
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm) 17
Maximum Nij 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 33
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.27
Right 0.24
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 47
Right 38

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2016-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Hyundai Tucson SE 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Tucson was redesigned for the 2016 model year, and the Kia Sportage was redesigned for the 2017 model year (the two vehicles are now built on the same platform). Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2016 Tucson conducted by Hyundai.

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 VTF1505
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 7
Left (cm) 12
Center (cm) 10
Right (cm) 7
Brake pedal (cm) 10
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 1
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -2
Rearward (cm) -3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1505
Head
HIC-15 194
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.4
Extension bending moment (Nm) 26
Maximum Nij 0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm) 22
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 1.1
Femur force - right (kN) 1.0
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.55
Maximum tibia index - right 0.54
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.9
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 56
Right 106

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2016-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Hyundai Tucson Limited 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Tucson was redesigned for the 2016 model year, and the Kia Sportage was redesigned for the 2017 model year (the two vehicles are now built on the same platform). Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2016 Tucson conducted by Hyundai.

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 VTS1505
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -13.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1505
Head HIC-15 332
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Compression (kN) 1.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 21
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 28
Average deflection (mm) 27
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.98
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.52
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 2.7
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.2
Combined force (kN) 4.9
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.7
L-M moment (Nm) 107
A-P moment (Nm) 33

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1505
Head HIC-15 136
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 31
Lateral force (kN) 1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 28
Average deflection (mm) 20
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.57
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.37
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.2
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.4
Combined force (kN) 1.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.6
L-M moment (Nm) 148
A-P moment (Nm) 61

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2016-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Hyundai Tucson SE 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Tucson was redesigned for the 2016 model year, and the Kia Sportage was redesigned for the 2017 model year (the two vehicles are now built on the same platform).

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

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2004
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -12.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2004
Head
HIC-15 209
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.5
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 19
Lateral force (kN) 0.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 38
Average deflection (mm) 34
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.76
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.65
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 8.4

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2004
Head
HIC-15 302
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 56
Lateral force (kN) 1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 54
Average deflection (mm) 42
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 6.35
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 1.35
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 2.0

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2016-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Hyundai Tucson SE 4-door 4wd

Rating applies to the Hyundai Tucson (tested) and the structurally similar Kia Sportage and Hyundai Nexo (beginning with 2017 Sportage models and 2019 Nexo models).

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,449 lbs
Peak force18,531 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.37

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Manual cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 34
Distance below top of head (mm) -7
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 11.9
Head contact time (ms) 54
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 331

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

Headlights

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Limited trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
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

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

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2016-18 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 85.4 m None
Straightaway left edge 56.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 67.4 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 51.9 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 58.2 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 49.1 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 154.8 m
Straightaway left edge 127.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 74.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 64.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 61.1 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 55.4 m

Trim level(s)

  • SE trim
  • Eco trim
  • Sport trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
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

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

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • SE trim
  • Eco trim
  • Sport trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2016-18 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 81.5 m None
Straightaway left edge 38.0 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 54.2 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 39.5 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 46.2 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 37.9 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 167.6 m
Straightaway left edge 126.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 65.7 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 58.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 51.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 47.5 m

Trim level(s)

  • Limited trim equipped with Ultimate package
Low-beam headlight typeHID projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?No
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 Excessive glare

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

The low beams created excessive glare.

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

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Limited trim equipped with Ultimate package
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2016-17 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 94.1 m 101.8%
Straightaway left edge 70.7 m 101.8%
250m radius right curve, right edge 90.1 m 73.4%
250m radius left curve, left edge 69.3 m 7.8%
150m radius right curve, left edge 78.7 m 74.8%
150m radius left curve, left edge 67.0 m 5.0%
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 139.9 m
Straightaway left edge 116.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 92.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 78.8 m
150m radius right curve, left edge 80.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 68.1 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Optional Automatic Emergency Braking

Package name

  • Optional Ultimate Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2016-18 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

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2016-21 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimSE
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 trimSE
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
not too deep in seat
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
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

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 19
Clearance angle (degrees) 61
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 23
Clearance angle (degrees) 63
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		 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 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		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 52
Clearance angle (degrees) 60
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 27
Clearance angle (degrees) 57
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		 Not measured

Rating applies to 2016-21 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLimited
Seat type leather

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 trimLimited
Seat type leather
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
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
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

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 25
Clearance angle (degrees) 60
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 26
Clearance angle (degrees) 58
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		 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 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		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 31
Clearance angle (degrees) 57
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 45
Clearance angle (degrees) 57
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		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation