Safety variances in range
Separate ANCAP ratings have been published for Kia’s K4. The majority of the sedan’s variants have secured five stars, while the base model has achieved four stars.
The company has opted to sell the K4 with varying specifications in its range, a decision that echoes the approach taken with model predecessor’s, the Cerato, meaning consumers must carefully consider which variant they choose, according to ANCAP.
The K4 Sport, Sport+, GT-Line and S with Safety Pack are all equipped with a broad range of safety features and crash-avoidance technologies for five-star rating.
It demonstrated sound protection across physical crash tests. In assessment of its “aggressivity”, or the risk it poses to other vehicles in a crash, the car also scored very well, demonstrating a relatively low risk to collision partners.
The K4 S, when the optional Safety Pack is not chosen, has different hardware and software than higher variants.
ANCAP says the omission of the hardware component and subsequent software tune sees its autonomous emergency braking system unable to detect or react in t-bone intersection crossing scenarios.
Oncoming and overtaking emergency lane-keep functionality is provided on the base S variant – as it is on higher grades.
However, ANCAP says the tuning of the crash-avoidance software fitted to the base S variant doesn’t detect other cars or motorcycles in the adjacent lane, thus posing a greater crash threat.
These differences see the safety-assist score for the S reduce by 13 per cent, resulting in a four-star rating. Its vulnerable road-user protection score is also lower than higher-specified variants.
A dual rating is permitted by ANCAP in cases when specified active safety features are optional. To qualify, these features must be available on base variants in the form of a “safety pack”.
“The five-star rating achieved by the majority of K4 variants is encouraging news for private and fleet customers,” says ANCAP’s chief executive, Carla Hoorweg.
“However, it is important for consumers to note the base grade without the Safety Pack does not provide the same level of standard safety. In 2025, safety should not be treated as a ‘pay-for’ option.
“Our advice for consumers is to check before you buy. Make sure you know the ANCAP safety rating of the specific model and variant you’re considering as there can be important differences that aren’t immediately obvious, or that may not be explained at the point of sale.
“Our message for Kia is to provide the same standard level of safety across the model range. Consumers should not have to pay extra for safety nor should they have to compromise on safety when buying to a budget.”
