Global NCAP gives Kia Sonet a low safety rating
The Kia Sonet is a very popular subcompact crossover. Here in the Philippines, it’s the Korean automaker’s strongest selling model, with sales equating to at least 70% of the brand’s local sales. It’s even one of our top-five picks for the best cars we reviewed in 2025.
But things aren’t looking so good in the safety department as the subcompact crossover has received a one-star safety rating from the Global New Car Assessment Program (Global NCAP), specifically on a unit tested for the South African market.
Testing showed that the Sonet’s footwell area and bodyshell were unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings, while a side impact test showed poor chest protection that limited Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) rating to just one star, while abdomen protection was rated as adequate.
A side pole test was not conducted due to the lack of side curtain airbags that aren’t included as standard, similar to the specification we get here in the Philippines. As for Child Occupant Protection (COP), the child dummies used received full protection in the dynamic test, but the absence of three-point belts in all seating positions, no option to disable the front passenger airbag when using a rear facing childseat, and low CRS installation score resulted in a three-star rating.
One thing to note is that the Kia Sonet that was tested by the Global NCAP is sourced from India. The Philippine-spec version of the subcompact crossover is sourced from China and has not been tested by any vehicle assessment agencies as of this writing.
