2019 Kia Stinger Safety Review: IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Analysis | MotorVero
2019 Kia Stinger Safety Deep Dive: How It Earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+
The Prestigious IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Achievement
The 2019 Kia Stinger stands out in the competitive large car segment by earning the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) highest honor - the Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) award. However, this recognition comes with important caveats regarding optional equipment that safety-conscious buyers should understand.
Key Safety Requirements for TSP+
Good ratings in all six IIHS crashworthiness tests
Acceptable or good headlight ratings
Advanced or superior front crash prevention
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Breaking Down the Stinger's Safety Performance
To achieve TSP+ status, the Stinger had to demonstrate excellence across multiple safety categories:
Crashworthiness Excellence
The Stinger aced all six IIHS crash tests with good ratings across:
Driver-side small overlap front
Passenger-side small overlap front
Moderate overlap front
Side impact
Roof strength
Head restraints and seats
Headlight Performance Variations
The Stinger's headlight performance varied significantly based on configuration:
Good: Optional non-adaptive LED headlights
Acceptable: Curve-adaptive LED headlight option
Poor: Standard projection headlights
This highlights the importance of carefully selecting options when prioritizing safety.
Advanced Crash Prevention
The available front crash prevention system earned a superior rating - the highest possible - in IIHS evaluations. This system includes:
Automatic emergency braking
Forward collision warning
Advanced pedestrian detection
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Platform Sharing with Genesis G70
The Stinger's strong safety performance comes as no surprise given its shared platform with the Genesis G70 - another TSP+ recipient and critically acclaimed luxury sedan. Both vehicles benefit from:
Rigid body structure with advanced high-strength steel
Optimized crash energy absorption zones
Comprehensive airbag protection system
Interesting Headlight Comparison
While both vehicles share DNA, their headlight implementations differ. The Genesis G70's available LED headlights (both adaptive and non-adaptive) consistently earned good ratings, outperforming some of the Stinger's configurations.
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Category Comparisons and Market Position
IIHS categorizes the Stinger as a "large car" rather than a luxury vehicle, placing it in direct competition with:
2019 Toyota Avalon
The only other 2019 TSP+ winner in the large car category, but with restrictions:
Requires optional equipment
Only applies to models built after September 2018
2019 Kia Cadenza
The Stinger's stablemate earned a standard Top Safety Pick rating, falling short of TSP+ primarily due to:
Less impressive headlight performance
Marginally lower crash prevention scores
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Safety Technology Breakdown
The Stinger's available advanced safety features that contributed to its TSP+ rating include:
Standard Safety Features
Advanced traction and stability control
Anti-lock braking system with brake assist
Multiple airbag protection system
Optional Advanced Systems
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
High Beam Assist (HBA)
Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
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What This Means for Car Buyers
For consumers considering a 2019 Kia Stinger, several important takeaways emerge:
The safety package options significantly impact the vehicle's overall protection
LED headlights should be prioritized over standard halogen units
The advanced driver assistance package is worth the investment
Pre-owned buyers should verify the exact equipment of specific vehicles
Safety vs. Budget Considerations
While the base Stinger offers solid protection, achieving the TSP+ level of safety requires careful option selection that may affect pricing. Buyers should weigh their budget against desired safety levels.
