All-new Kia Sorento gains 5-star crash test rating from EuroNCAP!
Kia Sorento crossover vehicle performed well in all areas, scoring 90% in Adult Occupant Protection, 83% in Child Occupant Protection, 67% in Pedestrian Protection, and 71% in Safety Assist.
A big reason for the high scores can be attributed to a stronger body shell and great safety features that the vehicle adopted after a complete makeover.
One element that was highly praised was the stability of the passenger compartment in the event of a collision. It was found that all passengers, regardless of size, were well protected wherever they were positioned in the vehicle.
All passengers, from front row to third, were also protected from whiplash, while pedestrians were aided during impact by the active deployable bonnet.
Kia Sorento crash test video
Safety features of Kia Sorento
The new Sorento SUV comes with a significantly stronger structure, with much of the credit going to the extensive use of ultra-high strength steel (UHTS).
The outgoing model consisted of 24.4% UHTS, while this new 2016 model is comprised of 52.7%, which helps improve the integrity of the core structure during a collision. It also helps improve torsional rigidity by 14%.
The new Kia Sorento also has more ultra-strong hot-stamped steel than before, going from 4.1% to 10.1%, which is a move that adds more strength to the A- and B-pillars.
The Safety Assist category was another area where the new Kia Sorento scored well.
The new model comes standard with a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system, allowing the vehicle to remain stable when the driver is braking and cornering, especially in poor surfaces.
This is done by controlling both the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and electric motor-driven power steering. The moment a loss of traction is recognized, both systems kick in, allowing the driver to maintain control.
