All-new Kia Carens Compact MPV has been Awarded a Maximum 5-star Safety Rating

The all-new Kia Carens compact MPV has been awarded a maximum five-star safety rating by Europe’s leading road safety organisation, Euro NCAP.

The Carens achieved high scores for Adult Occupant Protection (94per cent), Child Occupant Protection (76per cent), Safety Assist equipment (81per cent) and Pedestrian protection (64per cent) and is one of only two compact MPV models to earn five-stars in the 2013 Euro NCAP tests.

“From the beginning of the new Carens’ development programme, Kia engineers were dedicated to creating a compact MPV with the very best structure and safety technology to protect drivers, their families and pedestrians in the event of an accident,” commented Benny Oeyen, Vice President Marketing and Product Planning, Kia Motors Europe.

“In the last five years, Euro NCAP testing criteria has become tougher, making it harder for manufacturers’ products to be awarded top marks. It is a testament to Kia’s ongoing commitment to improving vehicle safety that we are able to once again achieve the highest rating with new Carens which has great appeal for families with an active lifestyle who seek both style and practicality,” concluded Oeyen.

Euro NCAP testers awarded the Carens maximum point scores for side impact protection against a barrier, child protection for 18-month old infants, front seat whiplash protection and protection for pedestrians’ legs. The safety organisation also noted that new Carens is equipped with a ‘belt-up’ reminder for all seats, a driver-set adjustable speed limiter and that all of the child restraint types for which the car is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the car.

Standard safety equipment fitted to the new Kia Carens includes six airbags (front, front side and curtain), seatbelt reminders for all occupants, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), HAC (Hill-start Assist Control) to prevent roll-back and ESS (Emergency Stop Signalling) which flashes the brake lights to alert other motorists when the driver is making an emergency stop.

The all-new Carens returns Kia to one of the most competitive market segments in Europe and is designed and engineered to meet the needs and expectations of modern families. It features sleek aerodynamics, a cab-forward design that ensures generous interior space with seven seats as standard in the UK, and a broad range of convenience and safety features.

The Carens range starts from £17,895 and is available with three engines a 1.6 GDi engine with 133 bhp and a 1.7 CRDi engine with two states of play of 114bhp and 134bhp with CO₂ from 124g/km. With standard specification such as air conditioning, leather trimmed steering wheel, seven seats, all round electric windows, body coloured bumpers, door handles and wing mirrors as well as a comprehensive list of safety features. The Carens is available in four specifications- ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘3 Sat Nav’.

The new Kia Carens joins six other Kia models – cee’d, Rio, Venga, Soul, Sportage and Sorento – in scoring a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash test results.