ANCAP: Kia Cerato receives split safety rating

FOR the first time ever, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has given a new model, Kia’s Cerato small car, a split safety rating due to the differing levels of performance from its available autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems.

 

The Cerato’s four-star entry-level S and Sport grades are fitted with a camera-based set-up that does not detect pedestrians and cyclists, while its five-star flagship Sport+ and GT variants also feature a radar that enables the missing functionality.

 

Alongside the introduction of more extensive testing in January last year, ANCAP changed its maximum-score requirements to put an emphasis on fully functioning advanced driver-assist systems, such as AEB and lane-keep assist, of which the latter is also standard on the Cerato.

 

As a result, the S and Sport scored 55 per cent (26.51 out of 48) in Vulnerable Road User Protection testing and 71 per cent (9.3 out of 13) in the Safety Assist category, while the Sport+ and GT managed 72 per cent (34.68 out of 48) and 73 per cent (9.49 out of 13) respectively.

 

“We strongly encourage vehicles which offer collision-avoidance technologies like AEB, however, it’s important consumers are aware there can be differences in performance across brands, models and variants,” asid ANCAP chief executive officer James Goodwin.

 

“Kia should be commended for offering an affordable vehicle which meets today’s demanding five-star requirements, and we would recommend consumers opt for a five-star variant, as they provide added safety benefit to all road users.”

 

Buyers looking to take advantage of the S and Sport’s sharp driveaway pricing can opt for the $1000 Safety Pack 1 that adds the radar-based AEB system, as well as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, among other non-safety features.

 

Meanwhile, the Cerato received the same results for all of its grades in the Adult Occupant Protection and Child Occupant Protection testing, totalling 90 per cent (34.25 out of 38) and 83 per cent (41.06 out of 49) respectively.

 

As reported, the fourth-generation Cerato launched in June last year in sedan form, while its five-door hatch body style will enter showroom this week alongside warmed-over GT variants.

 

Sales of the Cerato were steady last year, with 18,620 examples sold – a 0.6 per cent, or 111-unit, decrease over the deliveries made in 2017.

 

However, the Cerato fell down the sales chart, finishing as the fifth best-selling small car in the sub-$40,000 segment, trailing the Toyota Corolla (35,320 units), Mazda3 (31,065), Hyundai i30 (28,188) and Volkswagen Golf (19,076).

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