For the 2017 model year, Hyundai has given some upgrades to the midsize SUV’s occupant compartment, allowing the 2017 Santa Fe Sport to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK+ award in the U.S.
For this latest crash test, the refreshed Santa Fe Sport received good ratings in the institute’s moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints tests. Santa Fe Sport’s optional Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection also earned a superior rating.
TOP SAFETY PICK+ is the institute’s highest award. To achieve a Top Safety Pick+ designation, a vehicle must have a good rating in the five occupant protection tests and an advanced or superior rating for an available front crash prevention system.
“The Santa Fe Sport’s optional front crash prevention system earns a superior rating,” said David Zuby, IIHS chief research officer. “The Santa Fe Sport avoided collisions in IIHS track tests at 12 mph and 25 mph. The system also has a forward collision warning component that meets the NHTSA criteria,” added Zuby.
“We are thrilled that Santa Fe Sport has achieved the gold standard for CUV safety from IIHS and NHTSA,” said Mike O’Brien, Vice President of Corporate and Product Planning at Hyundai Motor America. “These awards underline our commitment to developing advanced technologies that assist in avoiding crashes all together. A class-leading body structure protects occupants if a collision does occur,” added O’Brien.
The 2017 Santa Fe comes with plenty of standard safety feature which includes Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control System; 7 airbags; four-wheel disc brakes and ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist; Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) with Downhill Brake Control (DBC); and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
AEB uses both the forward-facing radar and camera, through sensor fusion, to detect a vehicle or pedestrian, and warns the driver of a potential collision. If the driver does not react to avoid the impact, the system will apply emergency braking.
*The Top Safety Pick+ award is only for the 2017 Santa Fe Sport, meaning that it does not apply to the bigger 2017 Santa Fe.
