Latin NCAP slams Kia Sportage: zero-star crossover safety
Kia Sportage gets zero stars in Latin NCAP: a safety wake-up call
Latin NCAP slams Kia Sportage: zero-star crossover safety
Latin NCAP crash tests give the Kia Sportage zero stars, exposing dangerous cost-cutting in crossover safety. See the findings, industry fallout, what to check.
2025-10-31T21:17:15+03:00
2025-10-31T21:17:15+03:00
2025-10-31T21:17:15+03:00
Automotive experts are rarely taken aback, yet the latest Latin NCAP crash-test results have forced a rethink of crossover safety. One of the year’s most talked-about moments was the previous-generation Kia Sportage failing its evaluation — a model popular across Latin America that showed an alarmingly low level of protection.Zero stars for safetyLatin NCAP’s tests exposed critical structural shortcomings: the two‑airbag Sportage received zero stars. In the frontal impact, the passenger dummies registered injuries incompatible with life. The overall score was 48% for adult protection and just 15% for children. According to Latin NCAP secretary general Alejandro Furas, the manufacturer was effectively discriminating against buyers in developing markets by offering cars with pared‑back safety. Numbers like these leave little room for excuses.The episode sparked international attention. The crash-test video spread quickly online, and Kia faced a wave of criticism. The company pledged to reassess specifications for regional markets to avoid a repeat of such embarrassing ratings. In places where trust is hard-won, promises need to show up in hardware, not just in brochures.Not the first warning signThe Sportage scandal recalls the high-profile case of the Jeep Compass. Several years ago, that crossover failed a Euro NCAP crash test, showing a very low level of protection in a frontal impact. Experts noted body deformation and an injurious dashboard design that endangered the driver and front passenger. The Compass became a lasting example of how skimping on safety can erode a brand’s reputation.Why crossovers are becoming dangerousThe root of such failures lies in cost-cutting for specific markets. To trim expenses, manufacturers remove airbags, drop ESP stability control, and simplify the body metal. The model may carry the same name as in Europe, yet in practice be a different car altogether. That’s why buyers should check equipment and crash-test results for their own region before making a purchase.A new challenge for automakersZero stars is more than a bad score — it’s a hit to reputation. After the Sportage controversy, it became clear that consumers are no longer willing to accept stripped safety. Buyers expect honesty and a consistent level of protection, regardless of the country of sale.The Kia Sportage case is a stark signal for the entire industry. Cost-cutting on safety no longer goes unnoticed, and the label “the most dangerous crossover of the year” has turned into a reminder that there is no acceptable trade-off between price and life. It’s time even the most budget-friendly trims met the standards every driver deserves, no matter the continent.
Latin NCAP, Kia Sportage, zero-star rating, crash test, crossover safety, child protection, adult protection, Jeep Compass, safety rating, airbags, ESP, body structure, cost-cutting, Latin America
2025
Michael Powers
articles
Kia Sportage gets zero stars in Latin NCAP: a safety wake-up call
Latin NCAP crash tests give the Kia Sportage zero stars, exposing dangerous cost-cutting in crossover safety. See the findings, industry fallout, what to check.
Michael Powers, Editor
Automotive experts are rarely taken aback, yet the latest Latin NCAP crash-test results have forced a rethink of crossover safety. One of the year’s most talked-about moments was the previous-generation Kia Sportage failing its evaluation — a model popular across Latin America that showed an alarmingly low level of protection.
Zero stars for safety
Latin NCAP’s tests exposed critical structural shortcomings: the two‑airbag Sportage received zero stars. In the frontal impact, the passenger dummies registered injuries incompatible with life. The overall score was 48% for adult protection and just 15% for children. According to Latin NCAP secretary general Alejandro Furas, the manufacturer was effectively discriminating against buyers in developing markets by offering cars with pared‑back safety. Numbers like these leave little room for excuses.
The episode sparked international attention. The crash-test video spread quickly online, and Kia faced a wave of criticism. The company pledged to reassess specifications for regional markets to avoid a repeat of such embarrassing ratings. In places where trust is hard-won, promises need to show up in hardware, not just in brochures.
Not the first warning sign
The Sportage scandal recalls the high-profile case of the Jeep Compass. Several years ago, that crossover failed a Euro NCAP crash test, showing a very low level of protection in a frontal impact. Experts noted body deformation and an injurious dashboard design that endangered the driver and front passenger. The Compass became a lasting example of how skimping on safety can erode a brand’s reputation.
The root of such failures lies in cost-cutting for specific markets. To trim expenses, manufacturers remove airbags, drop ESP stability control, and simplify the body metal. The model may carry the same name as in Europe, yet in practice be a different car altogether. That’s why buyers should check equipment and crash-test results for their own region before making a purchase.
A new challenge for automakers
Zero stars is more than a bad score — it’s a hit to reputation. After the Sportage controversy, it became clear that consumers are no longer willing to accept stripped safety. Buyers expect honesty and a consistent level of protection, regardless of the country of sale.
The Kia Sportage case is a stark signal for the entire industry. Cost-cutting on safety no longer goes unnoticed, and the label “the most dangerous crossover of the year” has turned into a reminder that there is no acceptable trade-off between price and life. It’s time even the most budget-friendly trims met the standards every driver deserves, no matter the continent.
