In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Tucson achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Acura ADX which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.
Both the Tucson and ADX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Tucson has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The ADX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.
Both the Tucson and the ADX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Tucson is safer than the ADX:
|
|
Tucson |
ADX |
| Overall Evaluation |
GOOD |
ACCEPTABLE |
| Structure |
GOOD |
GOOD |
|
|
Driver Injury Measures |
|
| Head/Neck Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Chest Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Thigh/hip Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Leg/foot Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Restraints |
GOOD |
GOOD |
|
|
Rear Passenger Injury Measures |
|
| Chest Rating |
|
|
| Thigh Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Restraints |
ACCEPTABLE |
MARGINAL |
Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Hyundai Tucson is safer than the ADX:
|
|
Tucson |
ADX |
| Overall Evaluation |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Structure |
GOOD |
GOOD |
|
|
Driver Injury Measures |
|
| Head/Neck |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Neck Compression |
-45 lbs. |
45 lbs. |
| Pelvis |
GOOD |
ACCEPTABLE |
| Pelvis Force |
759 lbs. |
915 lbs. |
| Head Protection |
GOOD |
GOOD |
|
|
Passenger Injury Measures |
|
| Neck Tension |
45 lbs. |
67 lbs. |
| Neck Compression |
-134 lbs. |
156 lbs. |
| Shoulder Deflection |
1.1 in |
1.77 in |
| Shoulder Force |
245 lbs. |
312 lbs. |
| Torso Max Deflection |
1.38 in |
1.5 in |
| Torso Deflection Rate |
5 MPH |
8 MPH |
| Pelvis |
GOOD |
MARGINAL |
| Pelvis Force |
669 lbs. |
1182 lbs. |
| Head Protection |
GOOD |
GOOD |
The Hyundai Tucson has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The ADX is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

