Kia Carnival Security Ranking Nonetheless Poor Regardless of IIHS Crash Take a look at Enhancements

We’ve received some excellent news and a few dangerous information for Kia Carnival homeowners. The excellent news is that their vans could be up to date to treatment a security concern associated to the protection of second-row occupants. The dangerous information is that the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) nonetheless doesn’t charge the automobile extremely. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) is a nonprofit group that conducts crash assessments and evaluates the protection of automobiles. The IIHS charges automobiles on a scale of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor.

Separate from the mid-cycle refresh that we’re anticipating in 2025, Kia has reworked the second-row seats within the 2024 Carnival to strengthen the rails that connect the rear seats to the ground. 

Rationalization of the Crash Take a look at

The IIHS aspect impression crash take a look at simulates a collision with a pole or one other automobile at 31 mph. The take a look at is designed to guage the efficiency of the automobile’s security options, such because the aspect airbags and aspect curtain airbags.

Within the IIHS average overlap entrance crash take a look at, the automobile is pushed right into a deformable barrier at 40 mph. The take a look at is designed to guage the efficiency of the automobile’s security options, such because the entrance airbags and crumple zones.

The automaker determined to make the change in response to an IIHS crash take a look at. Within the minivan’s preliminary aspect impression take a look at, the left aspect second-row captain’s chair broke free from the ground and tipped sideways, taking the dummy with it.

“Such a detachment would create an apparent hazard to an individual sitting in that seat in an actual crash,” the IIHS wrote in a press release. “The unmoored seat and passenger may be a hazard to different occupants.”

The protection group reached out to Kia with this info, and the automaker determined to make modifications to the Carnival to handle the priority. Along with equipping the 2024 mannequin with the stronger rails, it has reached out to homeowners of older fashions, advising them to permit their native supplier to put in the brand new elements on their automobile (at no cost). As well as, it has directed dealerships to put in the rails every time Carnival homeowners are available for any purpose.

That’s all excellent news for homeowners, as a result of in subsequent IIHS testing, the second-row seat didn’t break free or fall over. Nevertheless, the Carnival’s outcomes have solely gone from unacceptable to barely acceptable.

The group nonetheless gave the minivan its lowest ranking, “Poor.” It claims that the protection cage didn’t maintain up effectively throughout a crash, and its measurements confirmed that there was nonetheless a excessive threat of harm to the motive force’s pelvis and the rear passenger’s chest.

It’s not but clear if Kia will make additional modifications for the extra completely up to date 2025 mannequin 12 months automobile. The query stays whether or not Kia will implement additional enhancements for the 2025 mannequin 12 months. As of now, Kia has taken steps to handle the protection issues reminiscent of upgrading the headlights and enchancment of the entrance passenger compartment construction, however the Carnival’s security ranking nonetheless has room for enchancment.