Base Kia Stingers stung with three-star ANCAP rating

KIA Australia’s entry-grade 200S four-pot and 330S V6 Stinger sedans have been handed a three-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) crash test ratings for a lack of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane keep assist safety technologies.

However, higher-spec 200Si, GT-Line, 330Si and GT Stinger variants were awarded a full five stars with 34.94 points out of 38 for adult occupant protection, 39.72 out of 39 for child occupant protection, 8.43 out of 12 for safety assist and 33 out 42 for pedestrian protection.

Three-star Stingers received the same score as its higher-grade siblings in the full width frontal, front offset, side impact, pole and whiplash protection tests, but dropped three points in the adult occupant protection category for the lack of AEB.

Only three points out of 12 were awarded to S-grade Stingers for seat belt reminders, netting it just 25 per cent in the safety assist testing category.

Child occupant protection results were uniform across the Stinger range, while the pedestrian protection result dropped by 4.53 points for the lack of AEB in the 200S and 330S grades.

ANCAP chief executive James Goodwin criticised Kia for its lack of uniform technologies and said the safety features should be offered at all levels.

“Unfortunately, two Stinger variants offered as part of the Australian model line-up – the 200S and 330S – are supplied without the active safety aids provided in other variants and score three stars,” he said.

“Australasian customers should feel let down that important safety features are being left out of the vehicles we’re being supplied. We would urge Kia to offer the same safety specification across all variants and all markets to ensure the best safety outcomes.”

While Kia Australia declined to make a comment, it is understood the South Korean-brand will address the crash-test result in the near future and could possibly re-enter the Stinger for evaluation after addressing its performance sedan’s failings.

Meanwhile, Jaguar’s F-Pace luxury SUV has nabbed a maximum five-star rating from ANCAP, scoring 35.51 out of 38 in adult occupant protection, 41.98 out of 49 for child occupant protection, 8.75 out of 12 for safety assist and 33.90 out of 42 for pedestrian protection.