The Kia Sonet has received a 1-star adult occupant safety rating and a 3-star child occupant safety rating in the latest Global NCAP crash tests conducted under the Safe Cars for Africa programme. The vehicle tested was manufactured in India and was rated for the South African market.
While the result may raise concerns, it is important to note that the South African-spec Sonet tested by Global NCAP is quite different from the version sold in India. Kia India currently offers six airbags as standard in the Sonet range, while the African-market model tested had a more limited safety equipment package.
1-Star Adult Occupant Safety
In the frontal offset crash test, Global NCAP found that head and neck protection for the driver and passenger was good. Driver chest protection was rated Adequate, while passenger chest protection was rated Good. However, knee protection was rated marginal due to the possibility of contact with rigid structures behind the dashboard.
A major concern highlighted in the report was the structural performance of the vehicle. Global NCAP said the footwell area was unstable and the bodyshell was “not able to withstand the forward load.”
In side effect testing, protection of the head and pelvis was rated as good, protection of the abdomen as adequate, while protection of the chest was rated as poor. This poor chest protection significantly impacted the overall adult occupancy score. Side pole impact test was not conducted because the tested vehicle did not offer side head protection airbags as standard equipment.
Child Occupant Protection Given 3 Star Rating
The Sonet scored 28.57 out of a possible 49 points for child safety, resulting in a 3-star rating. Both 18-month-old and 3-year-old child dummies achieved complete safety in frontal and side impact tests when secured in rear-facing child restraint systems using ISOFIX anchorages.
However, the overall child protection score was reduced due to several factors. Global NCAP noted the absence of three-point seatbelts in all seating positions, the lack of a passenger airbag deactivation switch for rear-facing child seats, and limitations in the installation of child restraint systems in some seating positions.
The difference in safety equipment matters
According to the report, the South African-spec Sonet tested was equipped with frontal airbags, seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters as standard. However, side curtain airbags, side chest airbags and several advanced safety technologies were either optional or unavailable in the tested version.
In comparison, the India-spec Kia Sonet was updated to offer six airbags as standard across all variants. Depending on the variant, the Indian model is also available with a wide range of safety technologies including ADAS features, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management and other driver assistance systems.
Reference for Indian buyers
While Global NCAP’s latest result applies specifically to the South African market Sonet tested under the Safer Cars for Africa programme, it serves as a reminder that crash test ratings can vary significantly depending on market specifications and safety equipment levels. Hence buyers should consider the exact variants and safety features offered in their respective markets rather than directly comparing the ratings across different regions.
