Kia has just announced its Rondo seven-seater SUV has achieved an ANCAP five star rating, in a move the Korean company says highlights its aim to have all Kia models top-rated, including the Carnival people mover which is currently a four-star.

The Rondo scored 36.2 out of 37 under the ANCAP criteria.

“We make no secret of the fact that we are aiming for five-star safety across the Kia range,” Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, Tony Barlow, said.

“We have made the commitment that all new Kia models in Australia will have the five-star rating and with the Rondo we continue to honour that commitment.”

All Kia’s new models on sale in Australia, with the exception of the Carnival, now have ANCAP five-star safety, the highest level.

The Carnival is not due for renewal until late 2014.

ANCAP Chairman Lauchlan McIntosh said, “the Kia Rondo is a welcome addition to the family-oriented people mover market. The Rondo performed well in all tests, including whiplash testing, and it is pleasing to see that advanced seat belt reminders are standard for all seats, including the 3rd row in the seven-seat variant”.