Top Safety Pick + Top Safety Pick criteria

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe 4-door SUV
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original 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

  • Standard daytime running lights
  • 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 2017-18 models built after March 2016

Tested vehicle: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Santa Fe was redesigned for the 2013 model year. There were now two distinct Santa Fe models, a 2-row Sport and a somewhat longer and heavier 3-row Santa Fe.

Beginning with 2017 models, extensive structural reinforcement of the occupant compartment was made to improve occupant protection in small overlap and moderate overlap frontal crashes. Starting with 2017 models built after March 2016, the driver safety belt was modified to further improve occupant protection in driver-side small overlap crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

The small overlap ratings on this page apply only to the 3-row Santa Fe, including the 3-row Santa Fe XL, introduced in the 2019 model year with only a new name. The Santa Fe Sport was tested separately, as was the redesigned 2019 2-row Santa Fe.

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 CEN1621
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 11
Footrest (cm) 10
Left toepan (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 4
Parking brake (cm) 9
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 3
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 7
Upper dash (cm) 9
Lower instrument panel (cm) 6

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1621
Head
HIC-15 110
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 13
Maximum Nij 0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm) 20
Femur (kN)
Left 4.5
Right 1.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 11
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 2
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.52
Right 0.40
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.9
Right 0.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 60
Right 49

How the driver-side small overlap front test is conducted

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2017-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Santa Fe was redesigned for the 2013 model year. There were now two distinct Santa Fe models, a 2-row Sport and a somewhat longer and heavier 3-row Santa Fe.

Beginning with 2017 models, extensive structural reinforcement of the occupant compartment was made to improve occupant protection in small overlap and moderate overlap frontal crashes.

Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai as part of frontal crash test verification. The ratings on this page apply to both the 3-row Santa Fe (tested) and the Santa Fe Sport through the 2018 model year.

Beginning with the 2019 model year, the 3-row Santa Fe was renamed the Santa Fe XL, and the 2-row Santa Fe Sport was redesigned and renamed the Santa Fe. The 2019 Santa Fe XL therefore shares the ratings on this page, but the redesigned 2019 Santa Fe is rated separately.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but slid off toward the right side, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward structure. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag also deployed.
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1711
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 18
Footrest (cm) 18
Right toepan (cm) 11
Center toepan (cm) 5
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 7
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 7
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 17
Upper dash (cm) 14
Right lower dash (cm) 14

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1711
Head
HIC-15 115
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm) 32
Maximum Nij 0.40
Chest maximum compression (mm) 17
Femur (kN)
Left 0.8
Right 3.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 3
Right 9
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.34
Right 0.52
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.7
Right 1.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 54
Right 59

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1711
Head
HIC-15 57
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.13
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Femur (kN)
Left 0.6
Right 0.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.28
Right 0.23
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.3
Right 1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 25
Right 29

How the passenger-side small overlap front test is conducted

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2017-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport was introduced in the 2013 model year, with two rows of seats and distinct from the somewhat longer and heavier Santa Fe, which has three rows of seats. Beginning with 2017 models, extensive structural reinforcement of the occupant compartment was made to improve occupant protection in small overlap and moderate overlap frontal crashes.

Moderate overlap ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai as part of frontal crash test verification. Ratings apply to both 2-row and 3-row models through the 2018 model year.

Beginning with the 2019 model year, the 3-row Santa Fe was renamed the Santa Fe XL, and the 2-row Santa Fe Sport was redesigned and renamed the Santa Fe. The 2019 Santa Fe XL therefore shares the ratings on this page, but the redesigned 2019 Santa Fe is rated separately.

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 VTF1611
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 2
Left (cm) 4
Center (cm) 3
Right (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 5
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 1
Rearward (cm) -1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1611
Head
HIC-15 159
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 12
Maximum Nij 0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm) 28
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.5
Femur force - right (kN) 1.0
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 3
Maximum tibia index - left 0.28
Maximum tibia index - right 0.37
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.4
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 35
Right 53

How the moderate overlap front test is conducted

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2013-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 4-door 2wd with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags

The Hyundai Santa Fe was redesigned for the 2013 model year. There were now two distinct Santa Fe models, a 2-row Sport and a somewhat longer and heavier 3-row Santa Fe. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai as part of side crash test verification. (Note that the vehicle tested was a 2-wheel-drive Sport model, but extra weight was added to the vehicle to increase its curb weight to that of a comparable 4-wheel drive model.) Ratings apply to both 2-row and 3-row models through the 2018 model year.

Beginning with the 2019 model year, the 3-row Santa Fe was renamed the Santa Fe XL, and the 2-row Santa Fe Sport was redesigned and renamed the Santa Fe. The 2019 Santa Fe XL therefore shares the ratings on this page, but the redesigned 2019 Santa Fe is rated separately.

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 VTS1206
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -15.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1206
Head HIC-15 165
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 27
Lateral force (kN) 1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 27
Average deflection (mm) 20
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 7.00
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.50
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.8
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.5
Combined force (kN) 3.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.8
L-M moment (Nm) 182
A-P moment (Nm) 34

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1206
Head HIC-15 109
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Compression (kN) 0.8
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 32
Lateral force (kN) 1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 31
Average deflection (mm) 28
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.50
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.50
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.2
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.0
Combined force (kN) 1.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.9
L-M moment (Nm) 106
A-P moment (Nm) 31

How the side crash test is conducted

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2013-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T 4-door 4wd

Rating applies to both the 2-row Santa Fe Sport (tested) and the somewhat longer and heavier 3-row Santa Fe for the 2013-18 model years. The rating applies only to the 3-row Santa Fe XL for the 2019 model year.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight 3,877 lbs
Peak force 16,982 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio 4.38

How the roof strength test is conducted

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seats

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power leather seats
Geometry
Backset (mm) 17
Distance below top of head (mm) -2
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 11.4
Head contact time (ms) 58
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 324

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

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • SE Ultimate trim equipped with Tech package
  • Limited Ultimate trim equipped with Tech package
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type HID projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
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 High-beam assist credit

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

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • SE Ultimate trim equipped with Tech package
  • Limited Ultimate trim equipped with Tech package
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type HID projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2017-18 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 94.1 m None
Straightaway left edge 52.3 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 84.4 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 48.6 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 73.1 m None
150m radius left curve, right edge 48.7 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 158.9 m
Straightaway left edge 128.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 86.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 80.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 74.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 65.7 m

Trim level(s)

  • SE trim
  • Limited trim
  • SE Ultimate trim
  • Limited Ultimate trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen 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 inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

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 inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • SE trim
  • Limited trim
  • SE Ultimate trim
  • Limited Ultimate trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2017-18 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 71.9 m None
Straightaway left edge 37.4 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 46.8 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 38.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 39.8 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 37.0 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 148.5 m
Straightaway left edge 111.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 57.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 55.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 48.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 46.1 m

How headlights are evaluated

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Optional Automatic Emergency Braking

Package name

  • Optional Tech Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2017-18 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.

How front crash prevention is evaluated

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2017-18 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim SE (3-row)
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 trim SE (3-row)
Seat type cloth
1 2 3 6 4
G Good
A Acceptable
M Marginal
P Poor
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
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
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) 3
Clearance angle (degrees) 82
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 9
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
No

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
No

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 7
Clearance angle (degrees) 83
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 6
Clearance angle (degrees) 85
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
No

How child seat anchors are evaluated

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