Kia Sephia
1996-97 modelsMODERATE OVERLAP FRONT TEST
OVERALL EVALUATION:
| Structure/safety cage | Injury measures | Restraints/dummy kinematics | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head/neck | Chest | Leg/foot, left | Leg/foot, right | ||
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Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.
Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor
Test details:
The Kia Sephia was introduced in the 1993 model year. Frontal airbags for both the driver and passenger were introduced as options beginning late in the 1995 model year and became standard beginning with the 1997 model year.
Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement wasn't well controlled. Special stitching on the lap belt, designed to limit belt forces by tearing and lengthening the belt, allowed the dummy to move too much. Its head and shoulders went outside the driver door frame. Late in the crash, the dummy's head hit the B-pillar. There also was far too much upward movement of the steering wheel.
Injury measures — Measures taken from the head, neck, and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. Forces on the left femur indicate that injuries to the upper leg would be likely. Forces on both tibias indicate that injuries to the lower legs would be likely. Head acceleration from the B-pillar hit occurred too late for measurement.
Left to right:
- Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test.
- Post-crash damage shot.
- Deformation of the driver door plus lengthening of the safety belt allowed the dummy's head and shoulder to go outside the door frame during the offset test.
Additional features:
- Antilock brakes (optional)
Tested vehicle specifications:
- 1997 Kia Sephia LS 4-door
- Class: Small car
- Weight: 2,584 lbs.
- Side airbags: none
- Wheelbase: 98 in.
- Length: 172 in.
- Width: 67 in.
- Engine: 1.8 L 4-cylinder
- EPA ratings: 23 mpg city | 30 mpg highway
