HIGHWAY SAFETY RESEARCH & COMMUNICATIONS
Select another vehicle:

Hyundai Santa Fe

2001-06 models built after March 2001

MODERATE OVERLAP FRONT TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Good

Structure/safety cage Injury measures Restraints/dummy kinematics
Head/neck Chest Leg/foot, left Leg/foot, right
Good Acceptable Good Good Acceptable Good

Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

Good Good Acceptable Acceptable Marginal Marginal Poor Poor

Test details:

The Hyundai Santa Fe was introduced in the 2001 model year. All 2001 Santa Fe models manufactured after March 2, 2001 include a modified accelerator pedal intended to reduce right leg injury risk in frontal offset crashes. Beginning with 2002 models manufacturered after March 2002, they were equipped with standard side airbags for drivers' and front passengers' heads and chests (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door).

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of a Santa Fe with the modified accelerator pedal in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test into a deformable barrier. The vehicle was retrofitted with the modified accelerator pedal before the crash test.

A redesigned, larger Santa Fe was introduced in the 2007 model year.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the B-pillar.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the neck, chest, and left leg indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. A high head acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the B-pillar, indicating that injuries to the head would be possible. Forces on the right tibia indicate that injuries to the lower leg would be possible.

Watch crash test footage for this vehicle on YouTube Tested model year and trim level only; see "Tested vehicle specifications" below

Left to right:

  • Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test.
  • The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.
  • Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the B-pillar and head restraint during rebound. Head acceleration from the B-pillar hit was high.
  • Forces on the lower right leg were high enough to indicate the possibility of injury.

Additional features:

  • Side airbags: front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags (2002 models manufactured after March, 2002).
  • Antilock brakes (optional)

Tested vehicle specifications:

  • 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4wd
  • Class: Small SUV
  • Weight: 3,836 lbs.
  • Side airbags: none
  • Wheelbase: 103 in.
  • Length: 177 in.
  • Width: 72 in.
  • Engine: 2.7 L V6
  • EPA ratings: 19 mpg city | 23 mpg highway

See all test results for Hyundai Santa Fe

Last updated: January 22, 2007

©1996-2013, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute
1005 N. Glebe Road, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22201 USA | tel 703/247-1500 | fax 703/247-1588