2023 Kia Niro scores five-star ANCAP safety rating

The second-generation Kia Niro small SUV has received a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP.

This applies to both hybrid and all-electric variants, which launched in Australia in July 2022.

The latest 'SG2' Niro scored 88 per cent for adult occupant protection (33.71 out of 38 points), 84 per cent for child occupation protection (41.62 out of 49 points) and 76 per cent for vulnerable road user protection (41. out of 54 points).

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ANCAP also released results for the Tesla Model Y and Genesis GV60 today, with all vehicles scoring a maximum five-star safety rating.

Maximum points were awarded for the upper and lower leg impact tests for pedestrians, while the full-width frontal and far-side impact tests had strong results.

Standard safety equipment includes; autonomous emergency braking with junction assist, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control with a speed limiter.

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This allowed it to receive a safety assist score of 87 per cent (13.98 out of 16 points), with top marks (2 out of 2 points) for its junction AEB system, which can detect a vehicle entering the road from the side and apply the brakes to prevent a collision.

Eight airbags (dual frontal, side head, side chest, driver's knee and centre) are fitted as standard.

The centre airbag is designed to prevent head clashes between the driver and front passenger in a collision.

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The 2023 Kia Niro went on sale in Australia in July, starting from $44,380 before on-roads for the entry-level Hybrid S variant. The flagship GT-Line EV is available from $72,100 plus on-road costs.

ANCAP chief executive officer, Carla Hoorweg, said today's results will provide confidence to buyers looking to purchase an electric SUV in Australia.

“All three models offer high levels of safety performance across the range of ANCAP assessment areas, demonstrating the clear ability for electric vehicle models to tick both the safe and green checkboxes," she said.

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During last month's electric vehicle summit, ANCAP called for proposed federal government incentives to only apply to vehicles with the highest safety rating.

“Today’s results demonstrate why ANCAP is encouraging all levels of government to ensure subsidies and incentives for alternative-powered vehicles are only provided to models offering the highest levels of safety,” added Hoorweg.

It is believed several examples of the BYD Atto 3 launched last week have recently undergone testing, with results expected in the coming weeks.