Korean car manufacturer Kia has outperformed Japan’s Honda in the latest Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) crash tests.
Today ANCAP announced a 5-star safety rating for all variants of the 2013 Kia Cerato small sedan and hatch introduced to New Zealand in June.
The 2013 Honda Accord missed the 5-star mark during the frontal offset crash conducted by ANCAP earlier this year, receiving 4-star ANCAP safety rating.
While ANCAP reports the Honda Accord’s passenger compartment held its shape well during the crash test, the foot well-mounted park brake experienced excessive movement creating the potential for significant lower leg damage.
Both cars are equipped with a range of safety assist technologies (SAT) including duel frontal, side chest and curtain airbags along with antilock brakes, electronic brake distribution and electronic stability control. Also both cars performed well in the side impact test.
The Cerato offers seat belt reminders for all seats compared to the Accord which has reminders fitted to the front seats only.
AA motoring advice manager Andrew Bayliss says Kia successfully demonstrates 5-star safety performance doesn’t necessarily come with a 5-star price tag.
“It’s pleasing to see the relatively inexpensive Kia Cerato receive a 5-star safety rating, but surprising and very disappointing to see the Honda Accord falling short.
“In today’s safety conscious environment, car buyers have a wide choice of cars in the medium saloon sector and most of those have a 5-star ANCAP safety rating,” Mr Bayliss says.
NZ Transport Agency road Safety Director Ernst Zollner welcomes the latest ANCAP test results.
“These results show the value of the independent test system and provide consumers with valuable information to help them make informed choices,” Mr Zollner says.
“Safe vehicles play a big role in protecting road users in the event of a crash. So the Transport Agency and its road safety partners encourage people to buy the safest car they can afford.”
ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government, Australian state and territory governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.
The full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings, other vehicle safety information and the specifications of the rated vehicles are available online at aa.co.nz(external link) or rightcar.govt.nz(external link)
