Hyundai Tucson gets 5 stars from Euro NCAP
The latest round of Euro NCAP results are out, and one of the five-star ratings recipients is the Hyundai ix35, sold here as the Hyundai Tucson. Following from the i20 and i30, the ix35 is the third successive Hyundai model to receive a five-star rating from Euro NCAP.
The C-segment SUV received a class-leading score of 88% for child occupants, scoring well in tests with both 18-month-old and three–year-old dummies. The test score for adult occupants was 90%, and the safety assist features earned a score of 71%.
This result is not unexpected by the folks at Hyundai. During a media preview held for Malaysian journalists in March 2010, representatives of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd, the local distributor of Hyundai vehicles have already stated that in-house testings suggest that the Tucson is indeed good for a five-star rating.
According to the results published in Euro NCAP’s official website, the ix35 test cars used for evaluation are the 2.0-litre diesel ‘Style’ left-hand drive variant not offered in Malaysia. Safety kit loaded into the test vehicles include front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters, dual frontal airbags, side airbags, stability control, and seat belt reminders.
Malaysian-spec Tucsons do not get side airbags, and stability control is only offered with the 2.0-litre High Spec and 2.4-litre models. In models so equipped, the electronic stability control bundles in hill launch assist and descent control.
Allan Rushforth, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Europe said, “Receiving a five star crash test rating is testament to our commitment to providing customers with vehicles of superior quality and top-class safety. European drivers have very high demands, and our design and engineering teams at our European R&D centre have created a car, which matches such expectations.”
“The ix35 (Tucson) is proving very popular with European buyers – over 60,000 units were sold within three months of going on sale in spring. With a strong yet efficient engine range, and Hyundai’s unrivalled ‘Five Year Triple Care’ program, the ix35 (Tucson) is a class-leading SUV in every sense, giving customers total peace of mind. This safety endorsement underlines Hyundai’s position as a leader in customer satisfaction,” Rushforth added.
Pictures: Official Euro NCAP release.
