The second-generation Tucson, sold through the 2010-2015 model years, received a ‘poor’ rating in the challenging small-overlap test. It experienced more than 16 inches of intrusion into the driver’s space, indicating a high likelihood of serious injuries to the left knee and lower leg.
The third-generation redesign brings the small-overlap performance up to ‘good,’ with maximum intrusion of six inches at the parking-brake pedal but no more than there inches in other locations. Dummy movement was well controlled, indicating a low risk of significant injuries in a similar real-world crash scenario.
The Sonata was redesigned for the 2015 model year and achieved an ‘acceptable’ rating in the small-overlap trial. Hyundai made a few more tweaks to the driver’s seatbelt and front suspension for 2016 in an attempt to qualify for ‘good’ status all-around, however the efforts fell short.
“Those changes weren’t enough, and the rating remains acceptable,” the IIHS report notes.
Available automatic emergency braking systems for both vehicles succeeded in preventing collisions in IIHS track tests at 12 mph and 25 mph. Both consequently receive the top ‘Plus’ safety rating. The Sonata will lose the designation next year if the car isn’t revamped once again, however, when the IIHS tightens its Top Safety Pick+ criteria to exclude vehicles that don’t receive a ‘good’ small-overlap rating.
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