Kia Sedona Nabs Leading Safety Award

The 2017-model year Kia Sedona has qualified for the highest honor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety — the Top Safety Pick+ award — thanks to the addition of optional automatic braking technology.

Like earlier models, the 2017-MY Sedona earned the top rating of “good” across the board in all IIHS crashworthiness evaluations. But the addition of autobrake boosts the minivan’s front crash prevention rating from “basic” to” superior,” IIHS said in a released statement.

In IIHS track tests at 12 mph and 25 mph, a Sedona equipped with the new front crash prevention system avoided collisions, according to IIHS. The system also includes a forward collision-warning component that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.

To qualify for the 2016 Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must earn “good” ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. The vehicle also must draw an “advanced” or “superior” rating for front crash prevention.