The 2026 Kia Sonet, as evaluated for the South African market under the #SaferCarsForAfrica program, has received a 1-star rating for adult occupant protection and a 3-star rating for child occupant protection. Manufactured in India, the 5-door SUV underwent rigorous crash testing at a weight of 1,358 kg to assess its safety performance.
Regarding adult occupant protection, the vehicle demonstrated good protection for the head and neck of both the driver and passenger in frontal impacts. However, protection for the chest varied, with adequate protection for the driver and good protection for the passenger. The assessment noted marginal protection for the knees, as they are susceptible to impact with hazardous structures behind the fascia, and the bodyshell and footwell area were rated as unstable. In side-impact testing, the head and pelvis showed good protection and the abdomen adequate protection, but the chest area was rated as poor. Additionally, side pole impact testing was not performed because the vehicle does not provide standard side head protection. While the vehicle includes an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system that meets technical requirements, it is not fitted as standard, and therefore could not be considered for the final safety score.
In terms of child occupant protection, the Sonet achieved a full dynamic score of 24.00 points. Testing confirmed that child restraint systems for both 18-month-old and 3-year-old children, installed rearward-facing using ISOFIX anchorages and a support leg, provided full protection during frontal and side impacts. Despite these results, the vehicle’s overall child safety score was limited by several factors: the absence of 3-point seat belts in all seating positions, the inability to disconnect the passenger airbag for rearward-facing child seats, and failed installation assessments for belted child restraint systems in the rear center seat. Once the next generation Kia Sonet goes on the new platform it should score better as it has been proven with the new Syros and Sonet as well.
