2011 Kia Sportage Gets IIHS Top Safety Pick

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced today it has awarded the 2011 Kia Sportage model its Top Safety Pick Award, after the vehicle achieved the highest ratings in frontal, side, rear and rollover impact crash safety tests.

The vehicle's overall evaluation was based on various measurements specific to each crash angle, and overall impact on crash test dummies inside the vehicle at the time of collision.

"The Kia brand is committed to providing consumers with the highest levels of passenger safety by providing a comprehensive list of cutting-edge technologies and features for increased crash protection," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America (KMA).  

"The 2011 Sportage's sleek and modern appearance continues Kia's design-led transformation while staying true to the company's core philosophy of providing consumers with exciting, fun-to-drive vehicles with high levels of value, quality and safety."

The standard safety equipment on the 2011 Sportage includes driver and passenger advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags and front active headrests, four-wheel Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and a Brake Assist System (BAS).

Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) also come standard on all variants. Also, to assist drivers when the vehicle is in reverse, an available back-up warning sensor triggers an audible warning when the vehicle approaches an obstruction, while an available rear-view back-up camera enables drivers to view certain items behind the vehicle.

The CUV is available in three trims (Base, LX and EX), with pricing starting at $18,295.