The 2017 Kia Sportage jumps from a poor to good rating in the challenging small overlap crash test and qualifies for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s top award.
The redesigned small SUV is built on the same platform as the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, which is also a TOP SAFETY PICK+ winner.
The previous generation of the vehicle didn’t hold up well in the small overlap test. The driver’s space was seriously compromised as the parking brake pedal was pushed in 16 inches. The steering column moved 4 inches toward the dummy and 6 inches to the right, causing the dummy’s head to slide off the left side of the front airbag. The side curtain airbag didn’t deploy.
In contrast, the redesigned model held up well, with maximum intrusion of 6 inches at the parking brake pedal and no more than 3 inches elsewhere. The dummy’s movement was well-controlled.
Like the previous model, the 2017 Sportage has good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests.
The Sportage’s new optional front crash prevention system earns a superior rating. The SUV avoided a collision in both the 12 mph and 25 mph IIHS track tests. The system also includes a forward collision warning component that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.
To qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must have good ratings in all five crashworthiness tests and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.
