Top Safety PickTop Safety Pick criteria

2023 Kia Sportage

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

2023 Kia Sportage 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: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0
Standard system
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Superior
Optional system
Superior

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 2023-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Tucson SEL 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Tucson was redesigned for the 2022 model year and the Kia Sportage was redesigned for the 2023 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Hyundai Tucson 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 VTN2106
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 9
Footrest (cm) 11
Left toepan (cm) 9
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 4
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 1
Lower instrument panel (cm) 6

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN2106
Head
HIC-15 77
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 0.0
Right 1.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.68
Right 0.55
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.4
Right 0.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 104
Right 64

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Tucson SEL 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Tucson was redesigned for the 2022 model year and the Kia Sportage was redesigned for the 2023 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Hyundai Tucson 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 VTP2107
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 7
Footrest (cm) 8
Right toepan (cm) 6
Center toepan (cm) 3
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 3
Right lower dash (cm) 3

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP2107
Head
HIC-15 74
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 18
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 27
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.33
Right 0.68
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 1.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 36
Right 31

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP2107
Head
HIC-15 68
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 12
Maximum Nij 0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm) 24
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.30
Right 0.22
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 38
Right 43

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Tucson SEL 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Tucson was redesigned for the 2022 model year and the Kia Sportage was redesigned for the 2023 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Hyundai Tucson 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 VTF2105
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 5
Left (cm) 7
Center (cm) 6
Right (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 4
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -2
Rearward (cm) -5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF2105
Head
HIC-15 130
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm) 27
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.2
Femur force - right (kN) 0.2
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.26
Maximum tibia index - right 0.57
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.4
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 47
Right 47

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2023 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Tucson SEL 4-door 4wd

The Hyundai Tucson was redesigned for the 2022 model year and the Kia Sportage was redesigned for the 2023 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Hyundai Tucson 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 VTS2106
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -17.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2106
Head HIC-15 197
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Compression (kN) -0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 29
Lateral force (kN) 1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 37
Average deflection (mm) 35
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.84
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.72
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.9
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.0
Combined force (kN) 2.8
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.3
L-M moment (Nm) 37
A-P moment (Nm) -17

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2106
Head HIC-15 106
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Compression (kN) -0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 33
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 45
Average deflection (mm) 31
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 7.14
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.69
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.5
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.6
Combined force (kN) 2.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.4
L-M moment (Nm) 63
A-P moment (Nm) -17

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2023 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Tucson SE 4-door 4wd

Ratings apply to the Hyundai Tucson (tested) and the structurally similar 2022 Santa Cruz and 2023 Kia Sportage.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,474 lbs
Peak force17,527 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.05

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) 24
Distance below top of head (mm) -24
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 10.1
Head contact time (ms) 58
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 3
Max neck tension (N) 383

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 Prestige trim
  • X-Pro 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 the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair 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)
  • SX Prestige trim
  • X-Pro 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 2023-25 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 83.4 m None
Straightaway left edge 55.4 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 65.1 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 53.3 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.7 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 55.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 131.9 m
Straightaway left edge 93.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 70.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 67.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 60.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 58.5 m

Trim level(s)

  • LX trim
  • EX trim
  • X-Line trim
  • SX trim
  • X-Pro 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 fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. 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
  • EX trim
  • X-Line trim
  • SX trim
  • X-Pro trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2023 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 67.7 m None
Straightaway left edge 36.7 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 48.6 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 37.8 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 42.5 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 35.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 141.8 m
Straightaway left edge 110.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 59.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 54.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 47.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 42.8 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 (FCA-Ped)

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2023 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 with Cyclist and Junction Turning Detection

Package name

  • Optional by trim (SX, SX Prestige, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige)

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2023 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: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0

Rating applies to all 2023-25 models

System details

  • standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

Overall evaluation

Passenger car target

Test runSpeed reductionTimely warning?
31 mph/target centeredCollision avoided
31 mph/target off-centerCollision avoided
37 mph/target centeredCollision avoided
37 mph/target off-centerCollision avoided
43 mph/target centered29 mph
43 mph/target off-center32 mph

Motorcycle target

Test runSpeed reductionTimely warning?
31 mph/target centeredCollision avoided
31 mph/target off-centerCollision avoided
37 mph/target centeredCollision avoided
37 mph/target off-center33 mph
43 mph/target centered29 mph
43 mph/target off-center26 mph

Semitrailer

Only warning is tested with the semitrailer.

Test runTimely warning?
31 mph/target centered
37 mph/target centered
43 mph/target centered

About the front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

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

System details

  • standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2023-25 models of the following trim lines: LX trim, EX trim, X-Line trim

Superior
Superior

Crossing child

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

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, impact speed was reduced by 34 mph. A warning was issued 1.9 seconds before impact.

System details

  • optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2023-25 models of the following trim lines: SX trim, SX Prestige trim, X-Pro trim, X-Pro Prestige trim

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment

Crossing child

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

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, impact speed was reduced by 36 mph. A warning was issued 1.9 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLimited
Seat type leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLimited
Seat type leather
1 2 3
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
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
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
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 17
Clearance angle (degrees) 70
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 14
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
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 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
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) 19
Clearance angle (degrees) 68
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 14
Clearance angle (degrees) 68
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