India-made Kia Sonet scores 1-star Global NCAP safety rating

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). Notably, the crash-tested Sonet is made in India for the South African market, features dual airbags and does not get ESC as standard. In India, however, Kia offers the Sonet with 6 airbags and ESC as standard, and hence GNCAP’s 1-star rating has no bearing on the India-spec model. Notably, this is the first time a NCAP organisation has crash-tested the Sonet SUV.  

1. AOP score: 21.29 out of 34 points; COP score: 28.57 out of 49 points
2. Side pole test was not conducted because of missing side airbags
3. The footwell area and the bodyshell were unstable

Kia Sonet adult occupant protection test results

The side pole impact test was not conducted due to missing curtain airbags

In the AOP tests, the Sonet scored 21.29 points out of 34 and earned a 1-star safety rating. In the frontal offset deformable barrier test, the compact SUV scored 9 points out of 16, providing good protection to the driver’s and co-driver’s head and neck, the driver’s left tibia and the co-driver’s chest.  Protection for the driver’s chest and right tibia, as well as both tibia of the front passenger, was rated as ‘adequate’. Protection to both the driver’s and co-driver’s knees was ‘marginal’ because “they can impact with dangerous structures behind the fascia”, the GNCAP report stated. Protection for the driver’s feet was rated as ‘poor’. 

In the side movable deformable barrier test, the Sonet offered ‘good’ protection to the occupant’s head and pelvis, while the protection for the abdomen was rated as ‘adequate’ and the chest as ‘poor’. The side pole impact test was not conducted because of missing curtain airbags.

Global NCAP also revealed that the footwell area and bodyshell were unstable, and the bodyshell is not capable of withstanding further loadings. The testing agency also stated that while the ESC meets technical requirements, it is not offered as standard, and only the seat belt reminder on the driver’s seat meets Global NCAP requirements.

Kia Sonet child occupant protection test results

Dynamic score: 24/24; CRS installation score: 4.57/12; vehicle assessment score: 0/13

The two-airbag version of the Kia Sonet scored 28.57 points out of 49 and a 3-star safety rating. For the COP safety tests, the child seat for both the 18-month-old and 3-year-old dummies was installed rearward-facing using the ISOFIX anchorages and a support leg. Both dummies scored full 8 out of 8 and 4 out of 4 scores in the frontal and side crash tests, respectively.

Global NCAP has revealed that the Sonet lost points for child restraint system (CRS) installation in the rear seat’s centre position, because it has a lap-type seatbelt. Other seats, however, are offered with a 3-point seatbelt. The compact SUV also lost points because it does not offer a way to disconnect the co-driver-side airbag, which would be necessary for CRS installation.

Kia Sonet safety rating vs rivals

Tata Nexon and Nissan Magnite have scored a 5-star GNCAP rating

In India, the Kia Sonet locks horns with the Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Kia Syros, Skoda Kylaq, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, Maruti Suzuki Fronx and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor. Among these, Global NCAP has tested the Tata Nexon and Nissan Magnite, both of which have scored 5 stars. Bharat NCAP has crash-tested the Syros, Venue, Kylaq, and XUV 3XO, all of which have scored a 5-star safety rating.