The 2017 Hyundai Tucson marked a significant redesign for the popular compact SUV, building upon the same platform as the Kia Sportage. For prospective buyers and safety-conscious drivers, understanding the safety ratings of the 2017 Tucson is crucial. This article provides an in-depth look at the safety performance of the 2017 Hyundai Tucson, drawing from rigorous crash tests and evaluations.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The driver-side small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object, like a tree or pole. The 2017 Hyundai Tucson performed admirably in this challenging test.
Rating: Good (G)
Key Performance Metrics:
- Structure and Safety Cage: Good (G) – The structural integrity of the Tucson held up well, maintaining the driver’s survival space.
- Driver Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Good (G)
- Chest: Good (G)
- Hip/Thigh: Good (G)
- Lower Leg/Foot: Good (G)
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Good (G) – The restraint systems effectively controlled the dummy’s movement, minimizing injury risk.
Action shot during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test showcasing the 2017 Hyundai Tucson’s structural response.
Post-crash driver dummy position in the 2017 Hyundai Tucson driver-side small overlap test, demonstrating well-maintained survival space.
Effective deployment of frontal and side curtain airbags in the 2017 Hyundai Tucson during the driver-side small overlap crash test.
Driver space retention in the 2017 Hyundai Tucson after the driver-side small overlap test, indicating low risk of leg and foot injuries.
Technical Measurements – Driver Side Small Overlap:
| Measurement Category | Metric | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Lower) | ||
| 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 |
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Upper) | ||
| Steering column | cm | 2 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | cm | 4 |
| Upper dash | cm | 5 |
| Lower instrument panel | cm | 4 |
| Driver Injury Measures | ||
| Head HIC-15 | 399 | |
| Neck Tension | kN | 1.0 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment | Nm | 27 |
| Chest Maximum Compression | mm | 23 |
| Left Femur Force | kN | 2.4 |
| Right Femur Force | kN | 0.1 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.52 | |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.68 |
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
The passenger-side small overlap test mirrors the driver-side test but assesses protection for the front passenger. The 2017 Hyundai Tucson also achieved a “Good” rating overall in this evaluation.
Rating: Good (G)
Key Performance Metrics:
- Overall Evaluation: Good (G)
- Structure and Safety Cage: Acceptable (A) – While still reasonably protective, the structure showed slightly more intrusion on the passenger side compared to the driver side.
- Passenger Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Good (G)
- Chest: Good (G)
- Hip/Thigh: Good (G)
- Lower Leg/Foot: Good (G)
- Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Good (G)
- Driver Injury Measures (Passenger-Side Test): Interestingly, driver injury measures are also recorded in the passenger-side test to understand overall vehicle behavior.
- Head/Neck: Good (G)
- Chest: Good (G)
- Hip/Thigh: Good (G)
- Lower Leg/Foot: Good (G)
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Good (G)
Action during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test of the 2017 Hyundai Tucson.
Dummy position after the 2017 Hyundai Tucson passenger-side small overlap crash test, showing reasonably maintained passenger survival space.
Effective airbag deployment in the 2017 Hyundai Tucson passenger-side small overlap test, protecting the passenger’s head.
Low risk of leg and foot injuries for the passenger in the 2017 Hyundai Tucson based on the passenger-side small overlap test.
Technical Measurements – Passenger Side Small Overlap:
| Measurement Category | Metric | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Lower) | ||
| Lower hinge pillar max | cm | 19 |
| Footrest | cm | 15 |
| Right toepan | cm | 11 |
| Center toepan | cm | 9 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | cm | 12 |
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Upper) | ||
| Center dash | cm | 6 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | cm | 11 |
| Upper dash | cm | 10 |
| Right lower dash | cm | 8 |
| Passenger Injury Measures | ||
| Head HIC-15 | 321 | |
| Neck Tension | kN | 1.3 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment | Nm | 28 |
| Chest Maximum Compression | mm | 27 |
| Right Femur Force | kN | 1.0 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.80 | |
| Driver Injury Measures (Passenger Test) | ||
| Head HIC-15 | 61 | |
| Neck Tension | kN | 0.7 |
| Chest Maximum Compression | mm | 33 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.24 |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
The moderate overlap front test evaluates vehicle safety when a significant portion of the front end impacts another vehicle or barrier. The 2017 Hyundai Tucson received the highest possible rating in this test.
Rating: Good (G)
Key Performance Metrics:
- Overall Evaluation: Good (G)
- Structure and Safety Cage: Good (G)
- Driver Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Good (G)
- Chest: Good (G)
- Leg/Foot, Left: Good (G)
- Leg/Foot, Right: Good (G)
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Good (G)
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front:
| Measurement Category | Metric | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion | ||
| Footrest | cm | 7 |
| Left Footwell Intrusion | cm | 12 |
| Center Footwell Intrusion | cm | 10 |
| Right Footwell Intrusion | cm | 7 |
| Brake pedal intrusion | cm | 10 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement (Left) | cm | 1 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement (Right) | cm | 1 |
| Steering column upward movement | cm | -2 |
| Steering column rearward movement | cm | -3 |
| A-pillar rearward movement | cm | 0 |
| Driver Injury Measures | ||
| Head HIC-15 | 194 | |
| Neck Tension | kN | 0.4 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment | Nm | 26 |
| Chest Maximum Compression | mm | 22 |
| Left Femur Force | kN | 1.1 |
| Right Femur Force | kN | 1.0 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.55 | |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.54 |
Side Impact Crash Test: Original and Updated
The side impact test assesses occupant protection in side collisions. The 2017 Hyundai Tucson underwent both the original and updated side impact tests.
Side: Original Test
Rating: Good (G)
Key Performance Metrics:
- Overall Evaluation: Good (G)
- Structure and Safety Cage: Good (G)
- Driver Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Good (G)
- Torso: Good (G)
- Pelvis/Leg: Good (G)
- Driver Head Protection: Good (G)
- Rear Passenger Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Good (G)
- Torso: Good (G)
- Pelvis/Leg: Good (G)
- Rear Passenger Head Protection: Good (G)
Technical Measurements – Original Side Test (Driver & Passenger):
| Measurement Category | Metric | Driver Value | Passenger Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 332 | 136 | |
| Neck Tension | kN | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Neck Compression | kN | 1.2 | 0.2 |
| Shoulder Lateral Deflection | mm | 21 | 31 |
| Shoulder Lateral Force | kN | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection | mm | 28 | 28 |
| Torso Average Deflection | mm | 27 | 20 |
| Pelvis Combined Force | kN | 4.9 | 1.7 |
| Left Femur L-M Force | kN | 0.7 | 1.6 |
| Left Femur L-M Moment | Nm | 107 | 148 |
| Left Femur A-P Moment | Nm | 33 | 61 |
Side: Updated Test
Rating: Marginal (M)
The updated side test is more demanding, using a heavier barrier and higher impact speed. In this updated test, the 2017 Hyundai Tucson received a “Marginal” overall rating.
Key Performance Metrics:
- Overall Evaluation: Marginal (M)
- Structure and Safety Cage: Marginal (M)
- Driver Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Good (G)
- Torso: Acceptable (A)
- Pelvis: Poor (P)
- Driver Head Protection: Good (G)
- Rear Passenger Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Good (G)
- Torso: Marginal (M)
- Pelvis: Good (G)
- Rear Passenger Head Protection: Good (G)
Vehicle condition of the 2017 Hyundai Tucson immediately following the updated side crash test.
Side airbags deployed and damage to the occupant compartment of the 2017 Hyundai Tucson after the updated side crash test.
Greasepaint on the side airbag indicating head protection for the driver dummy in the 2017 Hyundai Tucson updated side crash test.
Greasepaint showing head protection for the rear passenger dummy by the side airbag in the 2017 Hyundai Tucson updated side crash test.
Technical Measurements – Updated Side Test (Driver & Passenger):
| Measurement Category | Metric | Driver Value | Passenger Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 209 | 302 | |
| Neck Tension | kN | 1.5 | 0.3 |
| Neck Compression | kN | 0.1 | 0.5 |
| Shoulder Lateral Deflection | mm | 19 | 56 |
| Shoulder Lateral Force | kN | 0.9 | 1.7 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection | mm | 38 | 54 |
| Torso Average Deflection | mm | 34 | 42 |
| Pelvis Combined Force | kN | 8.4 | 2.0 |
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test measures how well the roof can withstand forces in a rollover crash. The 2017 Hyundai Tucson demonstrated robust roof strength.
Rating: Good (G)
Key Metrics:
- Overall Evaluation: Good (G)
- Curb Weight: 3,449 lbs
- Peak Force: 18,531 lbs
- Strength-to-Weight Ratio: 5.37
Head Restraints & Seats
Evaluations of head restraints and seats are crucial for preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The 2017 Hyundai Tucson’s head restraints and seats performed well.
Rating: Good (G)
Key Metrics:
- Overall Evaluation: Good (G)
- Dynamic Rating: Good (G)
- Seat/Head Restraint Geometry: Good (G)
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats:
| Metric | Value (Manual Cloth Seat) |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset | 34 mm |
| Distance below top of head | -7 mm |
| Seat Design Parameters | |
| Max T1 acceleration | 11.9 g |
| Head contact time | 54 ms |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck Forces | |
| Max neck shear force | 0 N |
| Max neck tension | 331 N |
Headlights
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime driving safety. The 2017 Hyundai Tucson offers different headlight options with varying ratings.
Headlight Ratings by Trim Level:
- Limited Trim (LED Projector): Acceptable (A)
- Limited Trim with Ultimate Package (HID Projector, Built after May 2017): Acceptable (A)
- SE, Eco, Sport, SE Plus, Value Edition, Night Trims (Halogen Projector): Poor (P)
- Limited Trim with Ultimate Package (HID Projector, Built before June 2017): Poor (P) – Due to excessive glare.
Headlight Performance Summary:
| Trim/Headlight Type | Low Beam Rating | High Beam Rating | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limited Trim (LED Projector) | Good to Fair | Good to Inadequate | Acceptable (A) |
| Limited Trim w/ Ultimate (HID, After May 2017) | Good to Fair | Good to Inadequate | Acceptable (A) |
| SE, Eco, Sport, SE Plus, Value Edition, Night (Halogen) | Fair to Inadequate | Good to Inadequate | Poor (P) |
| Limited Trim w/ Ultimate (HID, Before June 2017) | Good (Glare Issue) | Fair to Good | Poor (P) |
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems help avoid or mitigate frontal collisions. The 2017 Hyundai Tucson offered an optional Automatic Emergency Braking system.
Rating: Superior
System Details:
- Optional Automatic Emergency Braking (Ultimate Package)
- Forward Collision Warning: Meets requirements.
- 12 mph Test: Collision Avoided
- 25 mph Test: Collision Avoided
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchor ease of use is important for correctly installing child restraints. The 2017 Hyundai Tucson’s LATCH system received different ratings depending on the seat material.
LATCH Ratings by Seat Type:
- SE Trim (Cloth Seats): Acceptable (A)
- Limited Trim (Leather Seats): Marginal (M)
LATCH Evaluation Summary:
| Trim/Seat Type | Overall Rating | Number of LATCH Positions | Tether Anchors | Lower Anchors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE (Cloth) | Acceptable (A) | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Limited (Leather) | Marginal (M) | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Conclusion:
The 2017 Hyundai Tucson demonstrates strong safety performance in most crash tests, achieving “Good” ratings in key areas like small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side (original test), roof strength, and head restraints. However, the “Marginal” rating in the updated side impact test and headlight ratings varying from “Acceptable” to “Poor” depending on trim level, highlight areas for potential improvement. Overall, the 2017 Hyundai Tucson is a safe vehicle, particularly when equipped with optional front crash prevention and with consideration given to headlight and LATCH system variations across trim levels. For families and individuals prioritizing safety, the 2017 Hyundai Tucson is a solid contender in the compact SUV segment.
