Safety & Security

Maximum active and passive protection, plus ESP

The Sportage´s many stress and fatigue-reducing features equip the Kia driver to cope with the hazards of everyday motoring, while the new SUV´s high levels of active safety - responsive handling, accurate steering, powerful ABS-equipped brakes with EBD, traction control (TCS) and ESP - enable its driver to avoid potential accident situations.

The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) continuously monitors the path of the vehicle. If the vehicle yaws, and over-steers or under-steers while cornering, the ESP applies brakes to an individual wheel and/or reduces engine power to restore the vehicle to the driver´s intended course. Operation of the stability programme is entirely automatic.

The Traction Control System (TCS) is also fully automatic. It uses the ABS sensors to detect whenever a tyre starts to slip and senses the onset of wheel-spin. The system instantly reduces engine torque, slowing the rotation of the wheels until grip is restored. TCS is particularly effective when moving off from standstill on slippery surfaces.

If an accident is unavoidable, Sportage occupants are protected by its robust survival-safety-cell bodyshell structure and by a host of passive safety measures. Kia´s R&D facility is confident that the new Sportage will receive a 4-Star rating in the EuroNCAP when subjected to the official crash test assessment programme.

For the European market, three-point seatbelts and adjustable head restraints are fitted for all five occupants. Both front seatbelts have dual pre-tensioners and load limiters. During a collision, the seatbelt tightens immediately to hold passengers in place, and then gradually releases tension on the belt to absorb impact energy in a controlled manner and reduce the risk of injuries from the seatbelt itself. Two ISOFIX anchor points are fitted in the rear seat for child safety seats.

The Sportage is equipped with up to six airbags. Dual front, new-generation airbags are installed as standard in all European models, protecting the driver and front seat passenger from injury in the event of a frontal collision. Side Airbags are available for both front seats, their deployment controlled by sensors in the central B-Pillars. In the event of a side impact, the side airbags deploy from the seat trim to protect occupants primarily from arm and torso injuries and the possibility of being thrown through a windows. Simultaneously, a signal is relayed to the front airbags and the seatbelt pretensioners, ensuring that all safety systems work in an integrated fashion to provide full passenger protection.

Curtain Airbags, located in the A-Pillar, roof rail and C-Pillar, deploy during a side impact or rollover. They are designed to protect both front and rear occupants from head and neck injuries. A master computer monitors the status of all airbags and ensures that they are not triggered by low impact collisions during parking manoeuvres or by stresses not caused by impact, such as hitting a pothole at speed.

Three Sportage driving aids help visibility, and two are fully automatic. The Auto Light Control monitors the amount of daylight and turns the side lights or headlamps on and off as required. The interior rear-view mirror is Electro Chromic and dims at night time to eliminate glare from the headlamps of following vehicles. The door mirrors are electronically adjustable and heated, ensuring maximum clarity and driving safety under all weather conditions.

A fuel safety cut-out system prevents fuel leaks by shutting off supply to the fuel pump on detection of an impact, thus reducing the chance of fire.

Securing the vehicle and contents

Every Sportage comes with a large-capacity lockable glove box, remote-control central locking, an electronic engine immobiliser and, depending on model, a keyless-entry system with anti-theft alarm.

A battery saver switches off any interior or exterior lights that have been left on after the engine has been turned-off, preventing the draining of the battery.

Maintaining safety outside the vehicle, the front doors of the Sportage are fitted with low-mounted courtesy ´puddle-lights´ to illuminate the area alongside the vehicle and help drivers and passengers avoid hazards.