India-Made Kia Sonet SUV Gets 1-Star Safety Rating—But Not Sold In India

Kia Sonet, manufactured in India, has scored a 1-star rating in the latest Global NCAP crash test conducted under the Safer Cars for Africa programme. The tested vehicle was a South African-spec model equipped with just two airbags, unlike the India-spec Sonet, which comes with six airbags as standard.

India Made Kia Sonet Scores 1 Star at Global NCAP

The Kia Sonet is one of the best-selling SUVs in South Africa. It was recently evaluated by Global NCAP under its Safer Cars for Africa programme. However, the sub-4-metre SUV managed to secure only 1 star out of 5 for adult occupant protection. For child occupant protection, it received a 3-star rating.

Kia manufactures the Sonet in India and exports it to South Africa. The particular model tested was equipped with two standard front airbags for the driver and front passenger. Additionally, it came with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard.

Safety Points

The Sonet scored a total of 21.29 points out of 34 for adult occupant protection and 28.57 points out of 49 for child occupant protection. Its safety equipment includes dual front airbags, ISOFIX child-seat anchors, ESC, and seatbelt reminders.

According to Global NCAP, the bodyshell and footwell area were rated as unstable during the crash test. While the child dummies received good protection in the dynamic impact assessment, the overall child occupant score was affected by the absence of certain safety features, including 3-point seatbelts in all seating positions, a passenger airbag deactivation switch, and shortcomings related to child restraint system (CRS) installation.

However, the India-spec Kia Sonet is offered with a significantly more comprehensive safety package. The SUV comes with Level 1 ADAS and over 15 safety features, including six standard airbags, a 360-degree camera, Blind View Monitor, ESC, TPMS, ABS, ESS, BAS, VSM, HAC, rear parking sensors, front disc brakes, and ISOFIX child-seat anchors.

In recent years, the Indian government has mandated several safety features aimed at improving occupant and pedestrian protection in the event of an accident. Meanwhile, safety requirements vary across international markets. As a result, manufacturers often tailor equipment levels based on local regulations and market demands to maintain competitive pricing.