Both the Jaguar F-Pace and some variants of the Kia Stinger have scored a five-star ANCAP rating.

DESPITE ANCAP NOT officially adopting EuroNCAP scoring criteria until 2018, the crash test agency has seen fit to slug certain variants of Kia’s Stinger (the 200S and 330S) with a shocking three-star rating. This is despite those variants, which were tested by EuroNCAP and not locally, scoring the same in physical test, ANCAP has pointed to the fact those variants are not available with AEB or Lane Departure Warning as reason for the three-star rating.

Practical Motoring spoke with Kia Australia about the rating, but the official line is, “No comment,” according to Kia Australia PR boss, Kevin Hepworth.

It’s interesting to note that ANCAP has punished Kia when other brands, like Holden with its Astra, are able to get away with a ‘not rated’ result for its non-AEB equipped models. Of course, Practical Motoring advocates that active safety systems should be part and parcel of a car’s equipment list but marking down a brand before new judging criteria has officially come into play seems a bit cheeky. More than that, AEB and similar items, while life-saving, are also there to protect against driver inattention…

While Kia is saying nothing now, you only have to look at how it’s responded to ANCAP “concerns” in the past (Kia Sorento, for instance, which was re-engineered to score a better result) to know that the Korean car maker will respond quite quickly to this latest issue.

“As a new market entrant, the Kia Stinger has generated a lot of public interest and consumers should expect a 5-star safety rating for this calibre of vehicle,” said ANCAP Chief Executive, James Goodwin.

“The Si, GT Line and GT variants marketed in Australia, and all New Zealand Stinger variants are well-equipped and have earnt the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating.”

“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 3 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,” said Mr Goodwin

“Australasian customers should feel let down that important safety features are being left out of the vehicles we’re being supplied.  We would urge Kia to offer the same safety specification across all variants and all markets to ensure the best safety outcomes,” he added.

A 5 star ANCAP safety rating applies to Si, GT Line and GT Stinger variants available in Australia since October 2017 and the EX, GT Line and GT Sport variants on sale in New Zealand from next year.

On the flip side, the Jaguar F-Pace which offers AEB and lane departure warning as standard received a five-star rating.

Question: Given other car makers have been able to slip in non-AEB models without copping this treatment by ANCAP, and prior to the official adoption of a stricter judging criteria, seems unfair, do you agree?