The FINANCIAL — Kia Motors America’s (KMA) top-selling sedan, the 2017 Optima, has earned the highest designation possible – Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) – from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for vehicles built after March 2017 when equipped with optional front crash prevention and LED headlights with High Beam Assist.
The rating reflects top scores in each of five crashworthiness tests as well as the integration of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) for crash prevention and new headlamp testing standards which were introduced this year. Aside from earning “good” crashworthiness ratings and a superior rating for the optional front-crash prevention system, the 2017 Optima achieved a “good” rating in IIHS headlamp testing.
“The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety sets some of the highest standards when it comes to evaluating vehicle safety, and the Top Safety Pick Plus designation is a significant achievement that substantiates Kia’s ongoing effort to improve the quality and integrity of our world-class model line,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning, KMA. “We are pleased that the Optima received strong ratings across all of IIHS’ rigorous testing, validating the high priority we place on safety for our customers.”
To qualify for TSP+, the IIHS testing parameters require each vehicle to earn “good” ratings in five crashworthiness tests – small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength and head restraints – as well as an “advanced” or “superior” rating for front crash prevention and an “acceptable” or “good” rating in headlight testing, according to Kia.
The 2017 Optima offers a suite of available driver assistance systems such Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC), Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Rear Parking Assist System (RPAS), Front Collision Warning System (FCWS), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).
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