Another major car brand in hot water in South Africa
The Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) has awarded the entry-level Kia Sonet in South Africa a 1-star rating for adult protection.
In response, Kia outlined the safety requirements that the LS range meets.
The score was determined through crash tests conducted in Germany on behalf of the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA), as part of its #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign.
The insurance company anonymously purchases various popular vehicles in South Africa to conduct independent crash tests overseas.
While some of these cars have been tested and rated in other markets, manufacturers often remove essential safety features from entry-level models to reduce costs before they are sold in South Africa.
The German researchers conducting the tests found significant structural issues and a lack of side head collision protection in the Kia Sonet.
“The footwell area and bodyshell were unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings,” the AA said.
“In the side impact test, poor chest protection limited the adult protection rating to one star, while abdomen protection was rated as adequate.”
No side pole test was conducted because the vehicle did not come with side head protection airbags as standard equipment, which led to an automatic failure in this test category.
The Sonet performed better in terms of child occupant protection, with both child dummies receiving full protection during the dynamic test.
However, the absence of 3-point seat belts in all seating positions, the lack of a passenger airbag disabling switch, and a low score for child restraint system installation contributed to a 3-star safety rating.
AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede emphasised that these findings indicate the need for South African motorists to exercise extreme caution when purchasing either new or used entry-level vehicles.
“The recent series of crash tests has shown a worrying trend with entry-level models on sale in South Africa lacking adequate crash safety,” Ramagwede said.
“Perhaps more worryingly, very few of the vehicles tested offer safety ratings similar to those of the same models on sale abroad.”
Global NCAP CEO Richard Woods concurred. “It is unacceptable that global manufacturers continue to sell cars in Africa with safety standards they would never offer in markets like Europe,” he said.
Kia South Africa responds
Kia South Africa said it is aware of the tests conducted by the AA and Global NCAP, but added that the vehicle meets all safety requirements set by South African authorities.
It added that other models, which feature additional safety measures, will be entering the South African market later this year.
Kia acknowledged the one-star and three-star ratings for the Sonet.
It said the one-star adult assessment is specifically attributed to the absence of standard side curtain airbag protection in the entry-level specification of the model tested.
Nevertheless, the group confirmed that the Sonet range meets all applicable South African legislative safety requirements as stipulated by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS).
The group said that the Sonet LS is equipped with a comprehensive standard safety suite across the range, including:
- Dual front SRS airbags
- ISOFIX child seat anchorage points
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Front seatbelt pretensioners
“Customers seeking enhanced occupant protection will find the Sonet EX+ and SX derivatives equipped with six airbags as standard, which provide side body and side curtain protection in addition to the dual front airbags fitted across the range,” the group said.
It also said that the SX derivative is equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as standard.
“Kia South Africa can confirm that the Sonet LS+ will be introduced to the local line-up in the third quarter of this year, expanding the range with an additional derivative that offers six airbags as standard,” said the group.
“Kia South Africa recognises the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign’s role in raising safety standards across the continent and, furthermore, welcomes independent assessment as a mechanism for accountability and continuous improvement across the industry,” said Kia South Africa CEO Paul Turnbull.
The group also confirmed that four of the five Sonet trim levels from the LS+ line-up will offer six airbags as standard.
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