Five-Star award for new Kia Sorrento in Euro NCAP test

Kia’s new Sorento SUV has been awarded the highest-possible safety rating by Euro NCAP. The entire Sorento line-up, including the upcoming Plug-in Hybrid, achieved the maximum five-star rating from Europe’s leading independent safety testing organisation.

The Sorento achieved 82% for adult occupant protection, 85% for child occupant protection, 63% for pedestrian protection, and 87% in the ‘Safety Assist’ category.

Euro NCAP praised the Sorento for passenger compartments that remained stable in the event of a collision, as well as its ability to offer good protection for all critical body areas in the side barrier test.

The Sorento also scored highly for child occupant protection. Seat and head restraint tests demonstrated good passenger protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision. The Sorento’s standard-fit Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system also helped the car avoid impacts during testing for the ‘Safety Assist’ category*.

The Sorento is fitted with seven standard-fit airbags, including a new front centre airbag, a new innovation that provides additional head protection for front-seat occupants.

All Sorento models are equipped as standard with Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management and Electronic Stability Control systems to help drivers maintain control under braking and cornering.

Active and passive safety

The 2021 Sorrento comes with Kia’s latest Advanced Driving Assistance Systems. Depending on specification, the Sorento offers owners:

·         Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist technology with pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle detection

·         Junction Turning (detecting oncoming vehicles when turning across the road at a junction)

·         High Beam Assist

·         Driver Attention Warning system with leading vehicle departure warning,

·         Lane Keeping Assist

·         Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist

·         Highway Driving Assist

·         Navigation-Assisted Smart Cruise Control (Curve)

·         Intelligent Speed Limit Assist

·         Safe Exist Assist

·         Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist when reversing

·         Surround View Monitor

·         Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The new Sorento is also available with Lane Following Assist, a driver assistance technology that operates between 0 and 180 kph. LFA supports drivers by tracking vehicles in front of the Sorento in traffic, and detecting road markings to keep the car in its lane on the motorway. In combination with the Sorento’s Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go system, it can support the driver by accelerating, braking and steering depending on the convoy of vehicles in front, using radar sensors to maintain a safe distance.

Kia’s new Blind-Spot View Monitor acts as a ‘second pair of eyes’ for drivers. It enhances safety for occupants and other road users by eliminating a driver’s left- and right-side blind spots by displaying a high-resolution video feed within the instrument cluster.

The Multi-Collision Brake system from Kia’s enables the Sorento to mitigate the severity of secondary collisions is also standard. It automatically applies the vehicle brakes when the airbags have been deployed after an initial collision, further protecting occupants from secondary frontal or side impacts.

Euro NCAP information

The safety standard of all cars sold in Europe are rated under four categories, referred to as Euro NCAP. Prior to 2009, cars were rated on a one to five scale, for both adult occupants and pedestrian protection. The four categories now individually scored in these tests are:

·         Adult occupant protection

·         Child occupant protection

·         Pedestrian protection

·         Safety assist

These tests are used using adult and child sized dummies, the end results then published for consumer knowledge and importantly, peace of mind. So, the purchase of a five-star rated Euro NCAP car ensures we are using the safest car for us, the occupants of our cars and that of pedestrians. 

Adult occupation protection

Using an adult-sized dummy, the vehicle under test is subjected to frontal, side and pole impact tests. Post the changes inaugurated in 2009, vehicles are also subject to rear impact/whiplash tests, with the front passenger seats now also included in rating adult protection.

Child occupant protection

Here, two dummies, an 18-month and three-year old, are used in frontal and side impacts, as part of Euro NCAP. A variety of car seat installation checks are also included.

Pedestrian protection

All cars are now subjected to tests to assess the risk of injury to adult and child pedestrians, should they be struck by the car’s bumper, bonnet edge and bonnet top.

Safety assist

Many new cars come with a varying degree of safety systems as standard. This aspect of Euro NCAP rates the cars for the accident/injury prevention and/or reduction of accident severity, Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control, Day Running Lights, Seatbelt reminder, are some of the systems.