Latest Car News From DIGIADS

Latest Car News

New Car Review Areas

General Car Topics

2006.5 Kia Optima Awarded 'Good' Rating by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety


August 2006
 Filed under: KIA Car News | KIA Headlines

Kia Midsize Sedan Earns Top Honors for Frontal and Rear Impact Crash Tests

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Introduced earlier this year, the 2006.5 Kia Optima is already receiving accolades for its impressive safety features and performance. The Optima has earned a "Good" rating -- the highest possible -- from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its remarkable safety performance with top marks in the frontal and rear impact tests.
"Fresh on the heels of the recent safety awards received by the all-new Sedona, we are pleased to learn that Optima also is being recognized for its exceptional safety design and features, which are quickly becoming Kia trademarks," said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of Kia Motors America. "This new IIHS rating is a further testament to Kia's dedication to creating vehicles at the highest safety standards."

IIHS imposes extremely high standards upon the automotive industry for safety. A very strict evaluation, the three factors used in the frontal offset crash test -- structural performance, injury measures, and restraints/dummy kinematics -- determine each vehicle's overall frontal offset crashworthiness evaluation. In order to receive a "Good" rating for frontal impact from IIHS, the vehicle must perform well in all of these categories. The rear crash test simulates a collision in which a stationary vehicle is struck in the rear at 20 mph.

"While most vehicles today can earn a good rating in our frontal test, Kia is to be commended for producing one of the few midsize cars that also does a good job of preventing neck injuries in rear impacts," said IIHS President Adrian Lund.

The all-new Optima is the latest realization of Kia's efforts to offer an unprecedented level of standard safety equipment in all of its vehicles.

* The all-new Optima features six standard air bags, including dual advanced front and front seat-mounted side air bags, and full-length side curtain air bags.
* Optima is one of the only vehicles in its class with standard full-length side curtain air bags, active front headrests and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
* The 2006.5 Optima comes equipped with standard four-wheel disc brakes, with anti-lock brakes (ABS) available as an option.


An optional package adds even more safety features, including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS) and Brake Assist System (BAS).

Additional standard safety features include: front and rear crumple zones, side-impact door beams, impact-absorbing steering column, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions and dual Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child safety seat anchors for the rear outboard seats.

Kia Motors America -- the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea -- offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 dealers throughout the United States. For more information visit www.kiamedia.com.

Source: Kia Motors America

Latest KIA Headlines

Latest Car News

All images courtesy of and copyright their respective manufacturers, unless otherwise indicated. They may not be reproduced or retransmitted in any way without the express written permission of their respective owners. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Model news and specifications are presented as provided by manufacturer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DIGIADS. No warranty is made by DIGIADS with respect to the accuracy or timeliness of the information contained herein.
Copyright © 2000-2024 DIGIADS Australia All Rights Reserved. Contact Us
Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the DIGIADS Privacy Policy and User Agreement. 		Loading...