ANCAP: Some Kia K4 models get five-stars, some don’t

ANCAP has announced a dual safety rating for the new 2025 Kia K4 sedan, noting varying safety specification between grades, resulting in all but one version of the Korean brand’s small car being awarded a maximum five-star safety rating.

The Cerato-replacing K4 sedan went on sale Down Under in January and is in available in four trim grades: S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line, the former with the option of a $2100 ‘Safety Pack’.

Perhaps unsurprisingly then, it’s the entry-level S grade that’s been dealt the four-star rating, but the star-count increases to five when customers spec the Safety Pack, which brings extra front collision avoidance tech (including oncoming lane change detection and junction crossing function) as well as some extra onboard tech.

According to ANCAP, the autonomous emergency braking system in the K4 S (without Safety Pack) is unable to detect or react when crossing intersections that could result in a T-bone.

Testers also noted the emergency lane keeping system isn’t tuned to the same standard as the other K4 grades, with base K4 unable to detect other vehicles in the adjacent lane.

As a result, points were deducted from the K4 S sedan’s safety assist (64%) and vulnerable road user protection (73%) category scores.

As for the destructive tests, the entire Kia K4 sedan range performed well in terms of actual crash protection, with all grades awarded 83 per cent for their adult occupant protection and 80 per cent for child occupant protection.

Despite the respectable four-star and obviously healthy five-star ratings, ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg slammed Kia on the K4’s performance, saying forcing Aussies to pay more for safety isn’t good enough.

“It is important for consumers to note that the base grade without the Safety Pack does not provide the same level of standard safety,” she said.

“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 vehicle 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.”

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