Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Rating: Worth Your While?

Mar 5, 2021

Blue 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe From Front-Driver Side

For most people, part of buying a new vehicle is making sure it has acceptable safety ratings. So let’s take a look at the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe safety rating. Then you can decide whether or not this vehicle is right for you.

How safe is the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe received a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from the NHTSA and the highest rating of “Good” by the IIHS. It also received a 4.51-Star Owner and 4.6/10 Expert Review Rating from Vehicle History. Receiving these exceptional ratings from such experts is high praise.

There is so much more to tell you about the Santa Fe’s safety ratings and features, so we have detailed all that information here in one convenient place. Keep reading and we will give you all the information you need to know to make an informed decision about this vehicle.

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Crash Test Rating Results

Insurance Institute for Highway Crash Test Results

The 2020 Santa Fe is an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Here are the results of the crash tests.

Crashworthiness

Good: small overlap front driver’s side and passenger side, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, head, and seat restraints.

Crash Avoidance & Mitigation

Good and Marginal (varies by trim/option): headlights (see below for more details).

Superior Rating: front crash prevention for the vehicle-to-vehicle tests and the vehicle-to-pedestrian tests.

Child Seat Anchors

Acceptable: LATCH ease of use.

Headlights

Good: headlights on the SEL trim equipped with the Premium package and the Limited trim model.

Marginal: headlights on the SE trim and SEL trim.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Crash Test Results

The NHTSA gave the Santa Fe a 5-Star overall safety rating. Here are the results of the crash tests.

Frontal Crash Tests:

The front driver’s side received 4-Stars and the front passenger side received 5-Stars.

Side Crash Tests:

The side crash ratings received 5-Stars across the board for the combined side barrier and pole ratings and the side barrier.

Rollover Crash Tests:

The overall rollover crash rating is 4-Stars with the rollover risk being at 15.50%. A four-star rollover crash rating is typical for most SUVs.

Now, let’s go over the safety features for the Santa Fe.

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Features Explained

Here are this vehicle’s safety features and what they do.

Electronic Stability Control

The ESC feature helps automatically brake each wheel to keep them from spinning out.

ABS and Driveline Traction Control

The ABS brakes will stop the wheels from spinning while braking to prevent the wheels from spinning when the vehicle loses traction.

Airbags

This vehicle has dual-stage front driver and passenger seat-mounted side airbags. It also has 1st and 2nd-row curtain airbags. Airbags are triggered by sensors and will deploy when the vehicle experiences a crash.

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

This feature prevents a vehicle from running into obstacles that are ahead of it. It sounds a warning for the driver and will automatically take control of the brakes if an obstacle is detected.

Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning Features

The Lane Keep Assist will automatically steer or brake the vehicle if it moves out of its lane. The Lane Departure Warning will only alert the driver if the vehicles drifts out of its lane when the turn signal isn’t on.

Low Tire Pressure Sensor

This feature monitors the tires for low air pressure using a sensor. If one or more of the tires becomes low, the vehicle’s computer will alert the driver.

Back-Up Camera

The back-up camera is mounted on the back of a vehicle and gives the driver a view of what is behind it while backing up. This feature will sound an alert if an obstacle is detected while the driver is attempting to back up.

Where To Get a Free Vehicle History Report

Go to the Vehicle History website to receive a free history report for an unlimited number of vehicles. The Vehicle History website is a one-stop-shop for automotive research. Knowing the history of any given vehicle will help you make an educated decision about any vehicle before you buy it. Don’t skip the one thing that could prevent you from making an expensive buying mistake.

Owner Reviews

Write a Review

Lawryn D on April 11, 2021

Luxury hyundai santa fe with self driving features.

My 2020 santa fe is so comfortable and feel like a luxury car without the luxury price. It has shades for the windows in the backseat for privacy and comfort and the back seats recline. I love the panoramic sky roof. The front seats have heated seats and dual temperature control which is nice for the driver and passenger. The suv is great on gas for it to be a suv. It has great driving assistance features such as lane keeping assist, blind spot collision warning, rear view camera, safe braking.

Jenny S on May 3, 2021

Heater and cooler setting for the front and back seats.

The best thing about this car is the seat cooler and heater. Most cars only have heaters but this car has a cooler too and both also have 3 different settings. The back seat also has a heater setting! The wheel also has a heater setting which is perfect for the winter. Another cool thing about the car is that it has a place to set down your phone and it charges automatically, no cord. I feel really safe in the car because it beeps when you drive over or on the line. Overall, a really good car!

Devon R on May 22, 2021

Cute sporty vehicle with plenty of room. Luxury vehicle without the luxury price.

The biggest issue with my vehicle is the lane assist. While it is a safety feature I think at times it proves to be more dangerous than helpful. It will jolt my car and almost cause an accident at times. I have had to turn it off because it scares me. The trim inside it very nice and I love the seats. They are so much more durable than leather. I also love the screen inside and the air vents in the back seat. The car is also very spacious with lots of storage space.

Marie T on March 30, 2021

My Hyundai Santa Fe is wonderful and amazing.

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a great car. It has lane assist when driving tired and stops at red lights to conserve gas. The windshield wipers speed is completely customizable. The rear view camera is a wonderful feature and has helped prevent a couple of accidents for me already. The backseat is very roomy and has its own ac and charging ports. The touchscreen home center in the car is very convenient and has built in safety features while driving.

Wendy F on June 24, 2021

The Santa Fe is a smart, stylish and comfortable vehicle.

I love my 2020 Santa Fe. It has heated leather seats and is very comfortable. I love the smart features it has. I use android auto which allows me to get directions to wherever I want, listen to whatever music I want from Spotify and youtube music and it allows me to make and receive phone calls and texts- all hands free. I love the safety features like letting me know if I can change lanes safely, or if there are any obstructions in my way.

Christine L on March 13, 2021

Pleased with my new SUV that has all the bells and whistles you could ask for!

So far, I have had no vehicle problems. I love the way it handles and I feel safe driving it. I have never had so many added features before. I am thoroughly happy with my purchase! I got a special veteran deal and 0% financing! Cannot get lower than that. The dealer went out of their way to find me the color I wanted and drove it across state lines to get it to me. I am thrilled!

Jay G on March 30, 2021

The Hyundai Santa Fe - luxury at an affordable price.

I love my Santa Fe. It gets great gas mileage, is safe, looks sharp, and is fun and comfortable to drive. The amenities it has, such as driver assist and a panoramic sunroof, feel luxurious, but the price is affordable. I have had no issues with my Santa Fe. It is my third time leasing one, and I will not even consider another vehicle!

Maureen F on April 16, 2021

Reliable and comfortable.

The vehicle is comfortable when sitting in the front or back. The very spacious trunk space is one of the features we were looking for. The safety features are a huge benefit for merging, blind spots and cruise control. I love the USB outlets for charging your phone. Also the radio interface is user friendly.

Tiffiny S on June 16, 2021

The worry free car! It almost drives by itself.

I like our family car. It has lots of safety features but the passenger door does not always shut tight. Then the beeper goes off and I need to open it up and shut it again. The color is silver which is pretty and the car dealership takes good care of the care mailing out reminders for oil, and other things.

JOLENE H on September 9, 2021

Safety technology = safety!

The vehicle has a lot of safety features which I needed as I totaled my last car by falling asleep. This one has lane assist, smart cruise, blind spot warning, self steering which keeps the car in the lane. It has hands free text and navigation so you do not have to look down at a phone for anything.

Stacy H on May 14, 2021

Happy owner equals happy life.

I love the way the Santa Fe handles in the road. Upgrading to get the additional safety features has been totally worth it. Interior is beautifully crafted as well. Hyundai warranty is a great deal and worth the piece of mind. I drove 7 other SUVs and the Santa Fe was definitely the best of them all.

Abby C on March 28, 2021

It has lane assistance and helps you drive in the lanes for you.

The 2020 Santa Fe is everything I wanted in a car! Tons of space in the trunk and the back seats fold down you can fit anything you want. Great on gas mileage. The seats are comfortable and the apple CarPlay is a great feature and very easy to use. The safety features are great as well.

Richard J on March 13, 2021

The long drive in comfort and ease.

The car has smooth ride and is very stable on the open highways. The safety feature a really great and the electronic engine shut off and restart is great for fuel economy. The seat are very comfortable and are adjustable to support your back and the adjustable steering wheel is great.

Megan P on August 5, 2021

Great car for a great price.

I really like the way this car drives. It is a quiet and smooth ride. I have not had any problems with the car. It is comfortable and seems safe for myself and my family. I especially like the heated seats. There is enough room for my family of four and room for any shopping we do.

Riddhi D on August 14, 2021

Worth the price with great features.

It has wonderful features including apple carplay, 360 degree cameras for safety, heated and cooling car seats and lots of other safety features for a great price. Very comfortable car seats and good trunk space. Easy to drive with features includes auto hold and rear view camera.

Heather M on June 17, 2021

The headlights! They dim and brighten on their own.

I have nothing to complain about. I love the safety features! Love everything about my vehicle! I like that it always reminds you to check the back seat... And I have a toddler. I like the blind spot monitoring and the cameras that pick up people around the car before you move.

Brad H on March 23, 2021

Options are wonderful, truly.

Smart cruise control allows safe distance between car in front, keeps you in the lane automatically, homelink, auto seat folding, good cargo storage, Bluetooth, navigation with USB, overhead console, voice control, phone charger, center console, great color, rainforest green.

Sheila W on July 22, 2021

It has a safety feature that lets you know when there are cars around.

I feel very safe in the Santa Fe with all the safety features. It is like the car I'm Driving itself. The interior is luxurious and the outside is smart and good looking too. It has a lot of inviting features that I enjoy, especially the GPS. It gets great gas mileage too.

Dave S. on March 28, 2021

Great Car

Love my Santa Fe SEL, 2.4 AWD. Car is quick and quiet. Not sure what others are talking about noise. Handles great. Lots of safety features. Love Android Auto. Seats are comfortable and supportive. Good sound system. Too bad car makers aren't including CD players anymore.

Ella B on May 21, 2021

Perfect family SUV at a great price point.

I have only had the car for a week. I did thorough research and test drive nearly every midsize SUV model (sans luxury). Found the Santa Fe to have the most bang for the buck in the price range I was looking for. Smooth ride, quality interior, and excellent safety rating.

Hannah S on April 17, 2021

My favorite feature is that the back seat folds down in two sections.

Most comfortable SUV that we test drove! It has been reliable, spacious, and perfect for our growing family! I like the back up camera, lane assist, and safety features as well. It is also nice to be able to start the car from my phone- especially on a hot summer day.

Phillip B on August 1, 2021

New Santa Fe and loving every second.

The Santa Fe is a fantastic vehicle. It rides incredibly smoothly, had a great array of safety features, and is very well priced. The warranties are extremely good and there was a great deal of options at the dealership. I was able to find the exact fit for my needs.

Jason D on July 17, 2021

Hyundai Santa Fe has supreme comfort as well as high-end technology and safety.

My Hyundai Santa Fe is fantastic. I love the comfort and all the wonderful features, such as the bevy of safety features, the soft leather, the automatic high-beams and the massive panoramic sunroof. I find it very comfortable and fun to drive as well as reliable.

Stephanie H on June 3, 2021

Hyundai Santa Fe not enough pick up.

I like all of the safety features and apple carplay. The back seat and trunk are both spacious. The USB connections in the back seat are a plus. I do not like that the car does not have fast pick up. It does not accelerate fast enough getting onto the highway.

Rich J on March 15, 2021

Comfortable driving on the highway.

New SUV with a lot of safety features. SUV rides very smoothly with the drivers side adjustable to ride high. Steering wheel is adjustable so as your hand position do not get tired in an uncomfortable position. The interior seats are well cushioned.

Lauren H

Lauren H. has sold new and used cars, negotiated numerous car deals, has a thorough knowledge of the best and worst vehicles produced, and has spent the last 10-years as an automotive writer.