The new Kia Sorento SUV has been awarded the highest-possible safety rating by Euro NCAP, writes Trish Whelan.
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, now on sale here, achieved 82pc for adult occupant protection, 85pc for child occupant protection, 63pc for pedestrian protection, and 87pc in the ‘Safety Assist’ category. Euro NCAP praised the Sorento for its 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. 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 car’s safety rating was reinforced by the Advanced High Strength Steel bodyshells that underpin each Sorento SUV.
Every car is fitted with seven airbags including a new front centre airbag that provides additional head protection for front-seat occupants. All Sorentos are equipped as standard with Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management and Electronic Stability Control systems to help drivers maintain control under braking and cornering.
The new car also features Kia’s new Blind Spot View Monitor which displays a high-resolution video feed within the instrument cluster. The new Sorento is a spacious, efficient and high quality SUV that can seat up to seven passengers and priced from €51,600. It is launched with the 2.2. diesel variant but a Plug-in Hybrid version with a 1.6 petrol engine goes on sale in Ireland in February 2021.
