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Kia Sportage Evolves from Three to Five Stars at Latin NCAP in 2025 After Strengthening Safety and Driver Assistance Systems.
The Kia Sportage achieved, in 2025, five stars at Latin NCAP, the highest rating of the vehicle safety program in Latin America and the Caribbean. The result was announced after a new round of tests, conducted after Kia updated the SUV’s safety equipment.
The improvement is notable because the same model had only received three stars in 2022, when the fifth generation was launched, and has now improved without a generational change.
The change occurred due to the expansion of driver assistance technologies and the reinforcement of protective items, deemed essential by the program.
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Kia Sportage in 2022: Why the SUV Received Three Stars
When the Kia Sportage was evaluated for the first time in 2022, Latin NCAP recognized that the SUV already offered relevant safety features.
These included six airbags and electronic stability control, important features for occupant protection.
Despite this, the final rating was three stars. According to the program, the main reason was the low availability of advanced driver assistance systems, especially in the more affordable versions.
This criterion carries significant weight in Latin NCAP’s methodology.
In that test, the Sportage obtained 82.31% adult occupant protection. The protection was considered adequate for the chest and calves, while the thighs received a marginal rating in some scenarios.
Impact and Protection Results in 2022
In the lateral and whiplash impact tests, the Kia Sportage‘s performance was rated as good.
However, in the lateral impact against a pole, the protection for the chest was considered marginal.
For child occupants, the score was 71.57%, while the protection for pedestrians and vulnerable road users was 47.56%, numbers that limited the SUV’s overall score in that evaluation.
What Changed in the Kia Sportage to Achieve Five Stars?
The turnaround occurred in 2025, when the Kia Sportage underwent re-evaluation after receiving safety updates.
Latin NCAP reported that the model now fully meets the criteria required by the program.
In the new test, the SUV recorded 89.81% adult occupant protection, 91.84% child occupant protection, 70.93% for pedestrians and vulnerable users, and impressive 98.22% in safety assistance.
According to the official report, “in 2025, Kia introduced a revamped design, along with safety updates such as rear seat belt reminders, i-Size anchorages, passenger airbag deactivation, and greater availability of ADAS technologies, meeting Latin NCAP’s requirements.”
ADAS Technologies Explain the Leap of the Kia Sportage
The increased availability of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) was crucial for the new rating of the Kia Sportage.
In 2022, these features existed but were not available in sufficient quantity to score.
In the new cycle, systems such as autonomous emergency braking for pedestrians and cyclists, urban and highway AEB, lane-keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring, seatbelt reminders for all rear seats, and driver fatigue detection were evaluated.
According to Latin NCAP:
“The Safety Assistance area improved its score after the seatbelt warning system became standard across all rear seats, combined with the full score of LSS, RED, and BSD, as well as the interurban AEB, which nearly reached the maximum score.”
Latin NCAP Highlights Kia’s Change in Posture
The evolution of the Kia Sportage was praised by the leadership of Latin NCAP. The organization’s Secretary-General, Alejandro Furas, stated:
“Congratulations to Kia for achieving its fourth five-star model in less than two years. This is a remarkable change in the company’s policy, leading the region with the highest standard of safety for consumers.”
Stephan Brodziak, Chairman of the Board of Latin NCAP, noted that the result reflects consistent work.
“Kia’s five-star rating with the Sportage confirms that sustained commitment and alignment with Latin NCAP’s requirements lead to superior safety performance, even in highly competitive segments.”
And the Kia Sportage Sold in Brazil?
In Brazil, the Kia Sportage sold follows the same safety package evaluated by Latin NCAP.
The facelifted SUV is sold for R$ 267.190, in the EX version, imported from South Korea, and offers six airbags and the main driver assistance systems.
The mechanical set has not changed. The model uses a 1.6 turbo gasoline engine, with 178 hp and 27 kgfm, paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. This system does not allow pure electric mode, acting only as support for the combustion engine.
The transmission is always automated seven-speed dual-clutch, consolidating the Kia Sportage as a mid-size SUV that now combines design, technology, and five-star safety.
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