Kia’s new wunderkind the Stinger has stumbled uncharacteristically.
The car, a big GT style tourer, has been receiving rave reviews both here and overseas, but has met with mixed results in local safety tests.
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the independent body that assesses vehicles, has awarded higher grades a full full five stars for safety.
But it’s marked down the cheaper, entry point models because they miss out on some crucial safety systems – awarding them just three stars instead.
ANCAP chief exec James Goodwin has urged Kia to offer the same safety specification across all variants and all markets to ensure the best safety outcomes.
“Australasian customers should feel let down that important safety features are being left out of the vehicles we’re being supplied,” he said.
Mr Goodwin said the Kia Stinger had generated a lot of public interest and consumers should expect a five-star safety rating for this calibre of vehicle.
“The Si, GT Line and GT variants marketed in Australia, and all New Zealand Stinger variants are well equipped and have earnt the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating,” he said.
“Unfortunately two Stinger variants offered as part of the Australian model line-up – the 200S and 330S – are supplied without the active safety aids provided in other variants and score three stars.”
“Autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist have been omitted from these grades, reducing their Safety Assist score to 25 per cent.
“Australasian variants also lack rear seat belt pre-tensioners and load limiters which help manage the forces of a crash, and a penalty has been applied to the full width test score,” Mr Goodwin said.