Top Safety PickTop Safety Pick criteria

2021 Kia Sorento

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

2021 Kia Sorento 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

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

Crash avoidance & mitigation

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

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & 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 2021-25 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.

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

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2021-25 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.

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

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2021-25 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.

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

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2021-24 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.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
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

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2021-23 models

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

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,829 lbs
Peak force19,106 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio4.99

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Manual cloth seat
Geometry
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

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

Headlights

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

Trim level(s)

  • SX trim
  • SX-Prestige trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

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 2021-23 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
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

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 2021-23 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

About the headlight evaluation

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 2021-23 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph 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 2021-23 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

System details

  • optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist-Junction Turning (FCA-JT)

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2021-23 models of the following trim lines: SX trim, SX-Prestige trim, EX trim

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment

Crossing child

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

Crossing adult

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

Parallel adult

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

System details

  • standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist-Ped (FCA-Ped)

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2021-23 models of the following trim lines: LX trim, S trim

Advanced
Advanced

Crossing child

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

Crossing adult

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

Parallel adult

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

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimSX
Seat type leatherette

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

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimSX
Seat type leatherette
1 3 6 4
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
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
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
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
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
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

3

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
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

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
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 31

6

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
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 33

4

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
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation