Following a running “equipment realignment” and retesting by ANCAP, all Kia Stingers built from March 2018 will carry a 5 Star ANCAP rating.
IN EARLY December last year, ANCAP handed two variants of the Kia Stinger (200S and 330S) with a three-star rating while other variants received the full five stars – the physical crash performance was the same across the range. The rating shocked Kia, but ANCAP defended its action by stating those cars didn’t carry autonomous emergency braking (AEB) as standard.
ANCAP’s position was considered a warning shot to car makers about active safety features. But when you consider that having AEB as standard wasn’t considered part of the testing criteria until this year, you can understand Kia’s frustration.
Read our review of the Kia Stinger.
However, Kia has announced it has made AEB as standard on the 200S and 330S (vehicles built from March 2018 onwards). And, so, following retesting by ANCAP, the entire Kia Stinger range now realises a five-star rating. However, there has been a price increase on the 200S of $1000 – the 200S is now $46,990+ORC while the 330S is $49,990+ORC.
“As soon as we were made aware of the unusual situation regarding the original ANCAP rating of the Stinger, Kia Motors Australia took steps to rectify and ensure consistency across the model range,” said KMAu Chief Operating Officer Damien Meredith.
“At no stage was there any suggestion that the physical crash safety of any Stinger model was less than any other grade, however the absence of some technology on the entry-level cars led to a split rating. With the inclusion of AEB on both S grade models that situation no longer exists.”
