Kia’s new hybrid and electric SUV has earned top marks in ANCAP safety testing.

    The Niro scored five stars on the back of an adult occupant protection rating of 88 per cent, a child occupant protection rating of 84 per cent, a vulnerable road user protection rating of 76 per cent, and a safety assist rating of 87 per cent.

    The five-star rating applies to hybrid and pure-electric variants of the Niro, along with the plug-in hybrid currently not offered locally.

    Standard equipment on both the Niro S and GT-Line atop eight airbags includes:

    • Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
    • Junction AEB (prevents driver from pulling into traffic if it detects a t-bone accident)
    • Lane-keep assist with active lane-centring
    • Rear parking sensors
    • Reversing camera
    • Blind-spot assist
    • Rear cross-traffic assist
    • Driver attention monitoring

    Moving to the GT-Line brings:

    • Safe exit warning
    • Front parking sensors
    • Reverse AEB
    • Emergency calling (through Kia Connect, in case of an accident)

    The five-star rating for the Niro is being announced alongside ratings for the Tesla Model Y and Genesis GV60 electric vehicles.

    MORE: Everything Kia Niro

    Scott Collie

    Scott Collie is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Scott studied journalism at RMIT University and, after a lifelong obsession with everything automotive, started covering the car industry shortly afterwards. He has a passion for travel, and is an avid Melbourne Demons supporter.

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