Top Safety Pick

2021 Kia Sorento

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Standard system	Superior
Optional system	Superior
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian
Optional system	Superior
Standard system	Advanced

Child seat anchors

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Standard daytime running lights
Optional blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning
Standard lane departure prevention

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2021-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia Sorento S 4-door 4wd

The Kia Sorento was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Kia Sorento conducted by Hyundai/Kia as part of frontal crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID	VTN2013
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	11
Footrest (cm)	7
Left toepan (cm)	6
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Parking brake (cm)	9
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	5
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Upper dash (cm)	6
Lower instrument panel (cm)	8

Driver injury measures

Test ID	VTN2013
Head
HIC-15	83
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	10
Maximum Nij	0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Femur (kN)
Left	1.0
Right	0.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	3
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.56
Right	0.53
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.2
Right	0.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	35
Right	38

How the driver-side small overlap front test is conducted

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2021-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia Sorento S 4-door 4wd

The Kia Sorento was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Kia Sorento conducted by Hyundai/Kia as part of frontal crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID	VTP2017
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	12
Footrest (cm)	7
Right toepan (cm)	4
Center toepan (cm)	3
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	5
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	5
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	6
Upper dash (cm)	7
Right lower dash (cm)	6

Passenger injury measures

Test ID	VTP2017
Head
HIC-15	79
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	13
Maximum Nij	0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.39
Right	0.65
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.8
Right	1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	29
Right	54

Driver injury measures

Test ID	VTP2017
Head
HIC-15	84
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	13
Maximum Nij	0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Femur (kN)
Left	0.8
Right	0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.32
Right	0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.5
Right	1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	38
Right	56

How the passenger-side small overlap front test is conducted

Moderate overlap front

Rating applies to 2021-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia Sorento S 4-door 4wd

The Kia Sorento was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Kia Sorento conducted by Hyundai/Kia as part of frontal crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID	VTF2017
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	4
Left (cm)	7
Center (cm)	5
Right (cm)	7
Brake pedal (cm)	5
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-1
Rearward (cm)	-2
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Driver injury measures

Test ID	VTF2017
Head
HIC-15	237
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	8
Maximum Nij	0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm)	31
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.3
Femur force - right (kN)	1.8
Knee displacement - left (mm)	2
Knee displacement - right (mm)	2
Maximum tibia index - left	0.44
Maximum tibia index - right	0.41
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.3
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	46
Right	42

How the moderate overlap front test is conducted

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2021-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia Sorento S 4-door 4wd

The Kia Sorento was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Kia Sorento conducted by Hyundai/Kia as part of side crash test verification.

Driver injury measures
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID	VTS2018
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-20.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID	VTS2018
Head HIC-15	116
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Compression (kN)	-0.6
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	40
Lateral force (kN)	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	35
Average deflection (mm)	31
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.42
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.48
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.5
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.2
Combined force (kN)	2.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.3
L-M moment (Nm)	53
A-P moment (Nm)	35

Passenger injury measures

Test ID	VTS2018
Head HIC-15	113
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.1
Compression (kN)	-0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	33
Lateral force (kN)	1.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	43
Average deflection (mm)	26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.23
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.57
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.5
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.0
Combined force (kN)	1.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.4
L-M moment (Nm)	75
A-P moment (Nm)	-20

How the side crash test is conducted

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2021-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia Sorento LX 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,829 lbs
Peak force	19,106 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	4.99

How the roof strength test is conducted

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Geometry
Seat type	Manual cloth seat
Backset (mm)	8
Distance below top of head (mm)	-2
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	12.6
Head contact time (ms)	51
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	277

How the head restraint & seat test is conducted
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

Standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-22 models

Superior

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

System details

Optional Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist (FCA) with Cyclist Detection and Junction Turning

Package name

Optional by trim (available on EX, SX, and SX-Prestige trims)

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-22 models

Superior

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

How front crash prevention is evaluated

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

Optional SX trim
Optional SX-Prestige trim
Optional EX trim

System details

Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist (FCA) with Cyclist Detection and Junction Turning

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-22 models

Superior

with optional equipment

Crossing child

In the 12 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 23 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 1.8 seconds before impact.

Trim level(s)

Standard LX trim
Standard S trim

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-22 models

Advanced

Crossing child

In the 12 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 5 mph.
In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 9 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 18 mph.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 36 mph. A warning was issued 2.2 seconds before impact.

How front crash prevention is evaluated

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

SX trim
SX-Prestige trim

Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on the gradual left curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Trim level(s)	SX trim SX-Prestige trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2021-22 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	94.9 m	None
Straightaway left edge	68.8 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	80.7 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	66.6 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	73.5 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	60.1 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	153.3 m
Straightaway left edge	134.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	87.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	73.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	74.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	61.2 m

Trim level(s)

LX trim
S trim
EX trim

Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Trim level(s)	LX trim S trim EX trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2021-22 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	64.0 m	None
Straightaway left edge	18.6 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	43.2 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	30.9 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	33.8 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	26.9 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	119.2 m
Straightaway left edge	94.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	61.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	59.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	44.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	42.7 m

How headlights are evaluated

Child seat anchors

Applies to 2021-22 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	SX
Seat type	leatherette

This vehicle has 4 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	SX
Seat type	leatherette

G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
4
4	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
6
6	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	11
Clearance angle (degrees)	76
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	16
Clearance angle (degrees)	76
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes

Seat position 23

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	17
Clearance angle (degrees)	67
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	12
Clearance angle (degrees)	79
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes

Seat position 31

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	14
Clearance angle (degrees)	79
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	18
Clearance angle (degrees)	77
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes

Seat position 33

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	17
Clearance angle (degrees)	78
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	17
Clearance angle (degrees)	78
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes

How child seat anchors are evaluated