The Santa Fe is a large off-road vehicle that has high-set seating, which favours good protection. But the integrity of the passenger compartment was questionable and results from the frontal test were disappointing, showing problems for the driver’s chest and upper legs. In contrast, the 4x4’s performance in the side impact was very good despite its lack of side airbags. The 18-month-old child suffered a high neck load in the frontal test but otherwise the restraints did well. The vehicle did little for pedestrians. Only the area where a child’s head might strike ‘gave’ on impact.
Front impact
The restraints and airbags worked well to protect the front occupants’ heads and necks, but forces reaching their chests were high. The door frame distorted and the trans-fascia beam began to separate from the front pillar so the body was considered to be unstable. Hyundai told Euro NCAP that it has since improved the design of the mounting for this beam. There were hard points behind the fascia that posed a high risk of injury to the front occupants. The centre rear belt was lap-only, which provides inferior protection in a frontal crash to that given by a three-point belt.
Side impact
Performance in this test was top-level and was due in part to this off-roader’s high seating position. But it is commendable that the Santa Fe achieved such a strong result without a side airbag.
Child occupant
The restraints used were forward facing and attached by two ISOFIX mounts and top tethers. The younger child risked neck injury, which is common for children of this age if forward-facing; rear facing is favoured. Otherwise the restraints performed well. There were permanent labels on the stowed side of both sun visors that explained the risk of serious injury but not death if a rear-facing restraint was placed opposite an airbag. There was an ACEA pictogram without any text explanation and testers judged that this could confuse car users.
Pedestrian
One star was awarded, which is average for an off-roader. One area of the bonnet cushioned well but the rest of the front was ‘unfriendly’.