2024 Kia Carens Re-tested With Six Airbags By Global NCAP Shows Improvement In Child Safety

• 2024 Kia Carens scores three stars in Adult and five stars in Child Occupant Protection in new GNCAP crash test results.

• It is re-tested under new stricter norms of the GNCAP.

• Scored 22.07/34 in Adult and 41/49 points in Child Occupant Protection. 

• Safety kit includes three-point seat belts for all passengers, and front and rear parking sensors.

The Global NCAP has retested the Kia Carens under more stringent norms, resulting in the three-row MPV achieving three stars for Adult and an improved five stars for Child Occupant protection. The previous test conducted by GNCAP in 2022 yielded the same scores for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), but the Child Occupant Protection (COP) shows improvement from previous three star rating. Additionally, the GNCAP retested the variant with dual front airbags, which scored zero stars for Adult protection and four stars for Child protection under the new and more stringent norms.

Assessing the outcome, the Carens scored 22.07 out of 34 for AOP, scoring three stars, and 41 of 49 points for COP, scoring five stars. Notably it comes equipped with six airbags as standard, ABS with EBD, electronically stability control, ISOFIX child seat mounts, three-point seat belts for all passengers, front and rear parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring system. 

Adult Occupant Protection

In the frontal impact, the Carens offered good protection for both the driver and passenger's head. However, the driver's neck protection is still rated as weak, while the passenger's neck received good shielding. The driver’s chest protection was rated as adequate, while the same for the co-driver was good. That said, both the occupant’s knees were rated as marginal as they could come in contact with dangerous structures behind the dashboard. 

Although there was no significant deformation in the footwell area, it was noted to be asymmetrical between the driver's and passenger's sides. Nonetheless, the Global NCAP rated the bodyshell as unstable, unable to withstand further loadings. Standard seat belt reminders are fitted for the first and second rows, but they only meet requirements for the front row. These factors contribute to the 3-star rating in adult occupant protection.

During the side impact test, the SUV offered good protection for the head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis for the driver. However, GNCAP did not conduct a side pole impact test on the Carens. 

Child Occupant Protection

Considering the child's safety, both three-year and eighteen-month-old dummies were  installed rearward facing using the ISOFIX anchorages and a support leg. During the frontal impact and side impact tests, both child seats were able to prevent head exposure offering full child protection. 

Global NCAP Remarks 

After conducting the revised tests, Global NCAP noted improvements in the model's performance, although it still did not meet their expectations. Despite the Carens offering six airbags as standard, it was limited to a three-star performance. GNCAP also mentioned that the Carens was not able to disconnect the passenger airbag in case a rearward-facing child restraint system was installed, prompting a warning for consumers about the risk it poses.

Kia Carens Price And Rivals 

Prices for the Kia Carens start from Rs 10.51 lakh and go up to Rs 19.66 lakh (ex-showroom). It locks horns with the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Maruti Suzuki XL6, while being an affordable alternative to the Toyota Innova Crysta and Toyota Innova Hycross.