- Global NCAP awarded the Kia Sonet one star and the GWM Haval Jolion two stars for adult occupant protection.
Global NCAP crash test results released on June 10 under the #SaferCarsForAfrica program revealed contrasting safety performances for the Kia Sonet and the GWM Haval Jolion. The assessment awarded the Kia Sonet a one-star rating for adult occupant protection, while the GWM Haval Jolion secured a two-star rating. The findings provide valuable insights into occupant safety performance and highlight areas where vehicle manufacturers can further improve crash protection standards for consumers across Africa.
Adult Occupant Protection Performance Comparison
The crash evaluation showed that the GWM Haval Jolion delivered good protection for the head, neck, and chest during the frontal impact assessment. Protection for the knees was rated as marginal, indicating room for improvement in lower-body occupant safety. In addition, the vehicle demonstrated good protection levels during the side movable barrier test, contributing to its overall two-star adult occupant protection rating.
In comparison, the Kia Sonet exhibited an unstable footwell area and bodyshell structure during the frontal impact test. Structural instability can influence occupant protection performance during severe collisions. The vehicle also recorded weaker results in side impact testing, where chest protection was rated poor and abdomen protection was assessed as adequate, contributing to its one-star adult occupant protection score.
Vehicle Safety Assessment Summary
| Vehicle Model | Adult Occupant Protection | Child Occupant Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Sonet | 1 Star | 3 Stars |
| GWM Haval Jolion | 2 Stars | 3 Stars |
Child Occupant Protection Results
Despite differences in adult occupant protection performance, both vehicles achieved three-star ratings for child occupant protection. This indicates a relatively similar level of child safety performance under the Global NCAP assessment methodology. The results demonstrate that while improvements may be required in adult crash protection systems and vehicle structures, both models provided a comparable level of protection for child occupants during the evaluated crash scenarios.
Impact of Missing Side Head Protection Airbags
The side pole test was not conducted for either vehicle because side head protection airbags were not provided as standard equipment. Side head protection airbags play a critical role in reducing the risk of serious injuries during side-impact collisions, particularly when a vehicle strikes a fixed object. The absence of this equipment limited the scope of the safety assessment and influenced the overall evaluation process for both models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Kia Sonet receive a one-star adult occupant protection rating?
The Kia Sonet received a one-star rating because its crash assessment identified an unstable footwell area and bodyshell during the frontal impact test. Additionally, the vehicle showed poor chest protection and only adequate abdomen protection in the side impact test. These findings reduced its overall adult occupant protection score and highlighted structural and occupant safety areas requiring improvement under the Global NCAP evaluation criteria.
Why were side pole tests not conducted on the Kia Sonet and GWM Haval Jolion?
Side pole tests were not performed because neither vehicle was equipped with side head protection airbags as standard equipment. These airbags are considered important safety features for protecting occupants during severe side-impact collisions. Without this equipment fitted as standard, the side pole assessment was not carried out, limiting the vehicles' ability to be evaluated in that specific crash scenario within the Global NCAP testing framework.
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