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SEARCHThe Insurance Institute for Highway Safety names the full-size sedan a Top Safety Pick+ winner.
Photo of Kia Optima courtesy of Kia Motors.
Photo of Kia Optima courtesy of Kia Motors.
The redesigned Kia Optima has captured the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The 2016 Optima drew “good” crashworthiness ratings across the board, IIHS said. Additionally, the car’s optional front crash prevention system earned a “superior” rating.
The 2016 Optima is built on the same platform as the Hyundai Sonata, which also is a Top Safety Pick+ winner. The new Optima’s ratings represent an improvement over scores for the 2015 Optima, which earned only an “acceptable” rating in the challenging small overlap test.
The previous-generation Optima had no available front crash prevention. The 2016 model's optional system avoided a collision in both the 12 mph and 25 mph track tests, IIHS said. The Optima also includes forward collision warning that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.
To qualify for Top Safety Pick+, vehicles must earn “good” ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests and must have an available front crash prevention system that earns an “advanced” or “superior” rating.
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