Hyundai Tucson shows enhancements after Latin NCAP testing.

The New Car Assessment Program for Latin America and the Caribbean, Latin NCAP, first publication for 2022 shows encouraging improvements after Hyundai’s reaction to Latin NCAP tests.

The Hyundai Tucson, produced in Korea and Czech Republic, with two frontal airbags as standard, was rated with zero stars. The SUV achieved 50.23% in Adult Occupant box, 5.34% in Child Occupant box, 48.40% in Pedestrian Protection and Vulnerable Road Users box and 6.98% in Safety Assist box.

In 2021 Latin NCAP tested the previous version of the Tucson with two airbags as standard in the basic version scoring zero stars. The manufacturer then claimed that the “New Tucson was better and safer”, so Latin NCAP decided to test the new Tucson in 2022.

The new version of the Tucson was tested in frontal impact and side impact, whiplash and pedestrian protection. The lack of side curtain airbags as standard limited the score and better performance in Adult Occupant Protection.

The lack of ISOFIX marking meeting Latin NCAP requirements and the standard lapbelt in the most basic safety spec in the rear centre position as well as the lack of passenger airbag disabling switch explain the low score for Child Occupant Protection. Pedestrian Protection was overall average, however it showed poor protection for some areas of the upper leg. Safety Assist box showed poor results as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is not standard as well as speed limitation.