Exter micro-SUV likely to be next; results expected by year end.
Earlier last month, Hyundai announced that it had voluntarily sent three models to the newly constituted Bharat NCAP for crash testing. Autocar India can now confirm that the Tucson SUV will be one of the first cars, and certainly the first Hyundai, to be crash tested by Bharat NCAP. The Tucson is likely to be followed by the Exter micro-SUVand results of both can be expected to be announced in the next couple of months.
- Tucson first of three Hyundais at Bharat NCAP crash tests
- Gets six airbags as standard, ADAS on top-spec trim
Hyundai Tucson BNCAP crash test: aiming for 5-stars
The current-gen Tucson has already been crash tested by Euro NCAP and Latin NCAP in 2021 and 2022, respectively. It scored 5 stars in the former and 3 stars in the latter – the two NCAPs have slightly different testing protocols and scoring systems (with the latter being the stricter of the two), which explains the difference.
Notably, both NCAPs rated the body shell and footwell area of the Tucson that came equipped with six airbags as standard as stable, and the car also complied with pedestrian protection norms. The Tucson has also undergone the side pole impact test where it fared well, and it even boasts of an advanced safety assist system with fucntions such as lane assist and autonomous emergency braking. In case of the Latin NCAP, however, the safety assist scores did not add up to the overall rating as it failed to meet the minimum fitment requirement.
Given that the India-spec Tucson comes equipped with six airbags, ABS, ESC, three-point seat belts and seatbelt reminders for all individual seats as standard, Hyundai will be gunning for a full 5-star rating for what is essentially their flagship ICE vehicle in India. The top-spec Tucson even gets ADAS features, although Bharat NCAP, which is modelled on the lines of the latest Global NCAP protocols, does not really factor advanced safety assists systems into the overall rating.
The Tucson’s crash test is expected to be followed by the Exter. This too can be expected to fare well at the Bharat NCAP as it also comes with all the aforementioned safety features as standard, except for ESC.
With heightened conversation around safety these days, securing a strong result at the BNCAP crash tests for its popular models will be hugely important for Hyundai as it has never managed to secure more than 3 stars under Global NCAP protocols, until the recently launched 5-star rated Verna.
Bharat NCAP testing delayed slightly
The Bharat NCAP protocols were to kick start from October 1, but with no test results out yet, the programme stands delayed. That’s because manufacturers are toiling to secure units for crash testing amidst supply constraints. Reports claim that Bharat NCAP can commence crash testing from around mid-December, which means the first reports can be expected by the end of the year, or early next year.
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