Kia Carens gets 3-star Global NCAP rating in fresh tests

The Kia Carens has been crash tested under Global NCAP’s new protocols, and it has received a 3-star rating. While it may seem like the Carens' result is the same as the last time, this time around, Kia had volunteered for the Carens to be tested under the new protocols. The road safety organisation also announced that Kia’s MPV scored 0 stars for adult occupancy protection the first time it was tested under the new norms.

Kia Carens adult occupancy protection rating
When the Carens was tested under the new protocols, it was noted that protection offered to the driver’s neck was poor, while protection for the driver’s chest, and driver’s and passenger’s knees was marginal. This resulted in a 0-star rating for the MPV for adult occupancy protection (AOP) for models made between May 2, 2023 and December 11, 2023.

Global NCAP notes that this “triggered an immediate reaction from Kia to improve the neck performance by improving the restraint systems”. The road safety organisation noted that models of the MPV made after December 11, 2023 showed a marked improvement in AOP, thereby securing a 3 -star rating and a score of 22.07 (out of a max of 34). However, Global NCAP also mentioned that it was “not the performance that Global NCAP expected as the Carens offers six airbags as standard.”

In both tests, the bodyshell integrity in the frontal impacts was considered unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings. In addition, the road safety organisation said that no side pole impact test was conducted due to the 3-star rating, and that although seat belt reminders for the first and second row are standard, it “only fulfils the requirements for the front row”.
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The Carens with the 3-star AOP rating.

Kia Carens child occupancy protection rating
The Carens’ child occupancy protection (COP) score has also improved: in the first round, the MPV was given a 4-star rating, with a score of 40.92 out of 49, and now – with the improved restraint system – it has scored 41 out of 49, earning a 5-star COP rating.

The Carens comes with six airbags, ESC, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, rear disc brakes, three-point seatbelts for all seats and ISOFIX anchors.

Autocar India has reached out to Kia for a statement on the matter of the vehicles built between May 2023 and December 2023 (VIN: MZBGD813LPN099741 to VIN: MZBGD813LPN144399) and will update the story soon.

Global NCAP has also released results for the Honda Amaze and the Mahindra Bolero Neo.

Also see: Top rated cars, SUVs in new GNCAP crash tests: updated list