New Delhi: The Kia Sonet has been crash-tested by Global NCAP, where it scored a 1-star safety rating for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and a 3-star
safety rating for Child Occupant Protection (COP). Point to be noted is that the crash-tested Sonet is made in India for the South African market.
Features include things like dual airbags, but it doesn’t get ESC as standard. The Indian-spec Sonet is sold with six airbags and ESC as standard.
Kia Sonet adult occupant protection test performance
In the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) assessment, the Kia Sonet received 21.29 points out of a possible 34, earning a one-star safety rating. During the frontal offset deformable barrier test, the compact SUV scored 9 out of 16 points. The assessment found good protection for the driver’s and front passenger’s head and neck areas, the driver’s left tibia, and even the front passenger’s chest.
Kia Seltos got 1 star in AOP and 3 stars in COP
Protection for the driver’s chest and right tibia, along with both tibiae of the front passenger, was rated as adequate. However, knee protection for both front occupants was marginal, and Global NCAP noted that the knees might come into contact with potentially hazardous structures located behind the dashboard. Protection for the driver’s foot area was rated poor.
In the side impact test using a movable deformable barrier, the Sonet delivered good protection for both the head and pelvis regions. Even protection for the abdomen was evaluated as adequate, but chest protection received a poor rating. The side pole impact test was not conducted owing to the absence of curtain airbags on the tested model.
Global NCAP also reported that both the footwell area and the bodyshell structure were unstable, indicating that the vehicle’s structure might not be capable of handling additional impact loads effectively. Furthermore, while the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system met the required technical standards, it isn’t coming as standard equipment. The agency also noted that only the driver’s seat belt reminder complied fully with Global NCAP’s safety requirements.
Kia Sonet child occupant protection test performance
The two-airbag version of the Kia Sonet got 28.57 points from 49 and a 3-star safety rating. For the COP safety tests, the child seat for both the 8-month-old and 3-year-old child dummies was secured in rear-facing child restraint systems mounted using ISOFIX anchorages along with a support leg. Both dummies got 8 out of 8 and 4 out of 4 scores for the frontal and side crash tests, respectively.
GNCAP also noted that the Sonet lost points for child restraint system (CRS) installation in the back seat’s centre position, due to it having a lap-type seatbelt. Other seats, however, come with a 3-point seatbelt. The compact SUV also lost points as it doesn’t offer a way to disconnect the co-driver-side airbag, which would be required for CRS installation.
In India, Kia Sonet’s main rivals include Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Kia Syros, Skoda Kylaq, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Nissan Magnite, Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Renault Kiger and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor. In GNCAP, Nexon and Magnite were tested and managed to secure five stars.
