Following improvements made to boost protection in a small overlap front crash, which applies to vehicles built after March, the 2017 Santa Fe has qualified for a Top Safety Pick+.
The Institute’s engineers have noted 4 inches (10.2 cm) maximum intrusion at the lower door hinge pillar, while the safety belt and airbags worked to control the dummy’s movement, earning it a Good rating in the challenging small overlap test.
By comparison, the previous version, which was rated Marginal in the same test, measured as much as 10 inches (25.4 cm) of intrusion at the lower door hinge pillar, the steering column moved by 5 inches (12.7 cm) to the right and the dummy’s head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off to the left side.
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe has Good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests as well, while its optional front crash prevention system, ranked Superior, has allowed it to avoid collisions in the 12 mph (19 km/h) and 25 mph (40 km/h) track tests. The system also includes a forward collision warning, which meets the NHTSA’s criteria, and it’s part of a technology package that includes the curve-adaptive, high-intensity discharge headlights, rated Good in the IIHS’ evaluations, but without the optional package, the Santa Fe’s halogen headlights earn a Poor rating.
PHOTO GALLERY
