The new Kia Sportage Became the Safest SUV in Its Class

The new Kia Sportage is not only a stylish and versatile SUV but also one of the safest vehicles on the road. It has been awarded the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) 2023 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) rating, the highest possible safety rating from the independent organization. This means that the Sportage excelled in all six crashworthiness tests and the headlight and front crash prevention evaluations. In this article, we will explore how the Kia Sportage achieved this remarkable feat and what it means for you as a potential buyer.

The IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award: What It Is and Why It Matters

The IIHS is a nonprofit research and education organization that aims to reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes. It conducts rigorous tests to evaluate how well vehicles protect their occupants in various scenarios, such as frontal, side, rear, and rollover crashes. It also assesses the performance of headlights and the effectiveness of front crash prevention systems, such as automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning.

The IIHS awards two levels of safety ratings: TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) and TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+). To qualify for a TSP rating, a vehicle must earn good ratings in all six crashworthiness tests, as well as an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention. To qualify for a TSP+ rating, a vehicle must meet all the criteria for a TSP rating, plus a good or acceptable rating for headlights.

The TSP+ rating is the most coveted and challenging award to achieve, as it represents the highest standard of safety in the industry. Only a handful of vehicles each year manage to earn this distinction, and the 2024 Kia Sportage is one of them.

The 2024 Kia Sportage: How It Passed the Tests with Flying Colors

The 2024 Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that offers a spacious and comfortable interior, a smooth and powerful performance, and a range of advanced features and technologies. It is also designed to protect its passengers from harm, thanks to its strong and smart structure, its comprehensive airbag system, and its innovative driver assistance systems.

The Sportage scored good ratings in all six crashworthiness tests, which measure how well the vehicle protects its occupants in the event of a collision. These tests are:

Moderate overlap front: This test simulates a frontal crash between two vehicles of the same weight and size, traveling at 40 mph. The test evaluates the impact on the driver’s space, the movement and injury risk of the dummy, and the effectiveness of the restraint system.
Driver-side small overlap front: This test simulates a frontal crash between a vehicle and a narrow object, such as a tree or a pole, on the driver’s side. The test evaluates the impact on the driver’s space, the movement and injury risk of the dummy, and the effectiveness of the restraint system.
Passenger-side small overlap front: This test simulates a frontal crash between a vehicle and a narrow object, such as a tree or a pole, on the passenger’s side. The test evaluates the impact on the passenger’s space, the movement and injury risk of the dummy, and the effectiveness of the restraint system.
Side: This test simulates a side impact between a vehicle and a large SUV or pickup truck traveling at 31 mph. The test evaluates the impact on the driver’s and rear passenger’s spaces, the movement and injury risk of the dummies, and the effectiveness of the side airbags.
Roof strength: This test measures the force required to crush the roof of a vehicle by five inches as a ratio of the vehicle’s weight. The test evaluates the risk of roof collapse in a rollover crash, which can cause serious or fatal injuries to the occupants.
Head restraints and seats: This test measures the protection of the head and neck of the driver and front passenger in a rear-end collision by simulating a 20 mph crash. The test evaluates the geometry and dynamic performance of the head restraints and seats, which can prevent or mitigate whiplash injuries.

The Sportage also scored superior ratings for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention, which means it can avoid or reduce the severity of frontal crashes with other vehicles or pedestrians. The Sportage is equipped with the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system, which uses a camera and a radar sensor to detect potential collisions and warn the driver. If the driver does not react, the system can automatically apply the brakes to prevent or mitigate the impact.

The Sportage also scored good ratings for its headlights, providing adequate visibility and illumination in different driving conditions, such as curves, rural roads, and highways. The Sportage offers two types of headlights: LED projector headlights and LED reflector headlights. Both types are equipped with the High Beam Assist (HBA) feature, which automatically switches between high and low beams depending on the presence of other vehicles.

The 2024 Kia Sportage: What It Means for You as a Buyer

The 2024 Kia Sportage is not only a great SUV to drive, but also a safe one to own. By earning the IIHS TSP+ rating, the Sportage demonstrates that it meets the highest standards of safety in the market, and that it can protect you and your loved ones from harm in various scenarios. The Sportage also offers a range of other benefits, such as:

A 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty, which are among the best in the industry.
A starting price of $24,090, which is affordable and competitive for its class.
A fuel economy of 26 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, which is efficient and eco-friendly for its size.
A cargo capacity of 30.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which is spacious and versatile for your needs.
A touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, which is user-friendly and convenient for your entertainment and connectivity.
A panoramic sunroof, a wireless phone charger, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a smart power liftgate, which are some of the optional features that can enhance your comfort and convenience.

If you are looking for a safe, reliable, and enjoyable SUV, the 2024 Kia Sportage is a great choice for you. It has been recognized by the IIHS as one of the safest vehicles in its class, and it also offers a lot of value and quality for your money. To learn more about the Sportage, visit your nearest Kia dealer. You won’t regret it.