Latin NCAP recently crash-tested a Hyundai Tucson and it scored zero stars in the test. Currently, this generation of Tucson is still on sale in many countries including India. Hyundai has already launched a new generation of Tucson that has been spied on test in India and is expected to launch sometime next year.
The Tucson that was tested was equipped with dual front airbags and belt pretensioners only. Because of this, the front occupant’s chests showed adequate protection and their head and neck protection were also good.
Also read: 2021 Hyundai Tucson SUV put through the “moose test”
The driver knee protection was not good because the structure behind the dashboard hit the knees of the driver. Having said that, the front passenger’s knees showed good protection.
In the side impact tests, the protection to the abdomen, pelvis protection and head were good but the chest protection was only adequate. The SUV scored well in frontal, side and whiplash protection for adults.
Tucson’s child occupant protection was rated poor because the SUV only comes with a lap belt in the centre seat and Hyundai did not opt for Child Restraint Systems for the tests.
The previous generation of Tiguan was also tested by Latin NCAP and it scored five stars. Jeep Compass which is also the rival of Tucson has scored 5 stars in Euro NCAP’s crash test.
New-gen Tucson scored 5 stars
The new-gen Hyundai Tucson that will soon be launching in the Indian market and will replace the current generation has scored 5 stars in Euro NCAP. Adult protection was rated at 87 percent for child occupant protection and 86 percent for adult occupant protection.
The SUV was fitted with dual airbags, lane assist, side airbags, seat-belt pre-tensioners and load limiters, Automatic Emergency Braking, seat belt reminder system and speed assistance.
New Gen Hyundai Tucson to launch in India in 2022
Hyundai has already started testing the new-gen Tucson in India. There have been spy shots of the SUV floating around the internet. The new Tucson looks a lot sharper than the current generation.
It gets a new grille design which Hyundai calls Parametric Jewel design. The grille itself houses LED Daytime Running Lamps. The same grille and LED DRL design is also being used on the facelifted version of the Creta.
The headlamps are now stacked vertically and there is also a faux skid plate. On the side profile, there are lots of cuts and creases that give a very unique look to the SUV. There are newly designed 5-spoke diamond-cut alloy wheels. The pillars have been blacked-out and there are squared-off wheel arches.
At the rear, there are vertical LED tail lamps that are connected via a light bar. The reversing lamps are placed in the lower half of the bumpers, there is a faux skid plate and a twin-tip exhaust pipe.
Engine and gearbox
In the international market, Tucson is offered with a total of 9 different powertrains. These include petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrids and hybrids. However, in India, Tucson will be offered with a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 2.0-litre diesel engine.
The petrol engine produces 152 PS of max power and 192 Nm of peak torque. It comes mated to a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The diesel engine produces 185 PS of max power and 400 Nm of peak torque. It comes mated to an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission. You can also get an all-wheel-drive version with the diesel engine.
Pricing and rivals
The new-gen Tucson will be priced around Rs. 25 lakhs ex-showroom. It will go against Citroen C5 AirCross, Jeep Compass, Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Kodiaq.
Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500
