The Global New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) handed the all-new Kia Carens with a 3-star safety rating.
The all-new Kia Carens gets a 3-star safety rating at Global NCAP
For a short recap, the all-new Kia Carens was brought back into the lineup last December 2021. The Korean automaker decided to offer the long-time running nameplate to developing markets only, with India first on the list. Now, it seems like the MPV is off to a rough start considering that it was given the said safety rating.
According to the safety report, the Carens was tested in its most basic safety specification. It is equipped with two front airbags, two side body airbags, and two side head protection airbags. An electronic stability control (ESC) also comes standard in the model which will soon become a requirement of Global NCAP.
Now in its fourth-gen form
The Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) scored 9.30 out of 17, which translates to three stars. It offered good protection for the driver’s and passenger’s necks, but the chest and knees were marginal. On the other hand, Child Occupant Protection (COP) offered poor protection to the head and fair to the chest, enough for it to garner 30.99 out of 49 (three stars).
“Global NCAP welcomes Kia’s decision to make six airbags a standard fit in the Carens ahead of a regulatory requirement. However, we expected a better performance from this model,” said Global NCAP Secretary General Alejandro Furas.
“It remains a cause for concern that global car brands such as Kia, that normally achieves 5-star ratings in other markets, are still not reaching this level in India,” added Furas.
Rumors suggest that fourth-gen Carens will be entering the Southeast Asian region. But with the 3-star safety rating, some car buyers might have reservations about driving home the all-new Carens. Well, that is if the buyers are particularly keen when it comes to overall vehicle safety rating.
Discover more safety rating assessments at Philkotse.com.