2015 Kia Forte Sedan Earns 5-Star Safety Score from NHTSA

2014 kia forte

After some physical enhancements to the car's structure, the 2015 Kia Forte sedan has achieved a 5-Star overall safety score in testing by the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA). To secure that status, the car earned a 5-star rating in NHTSA's side-crash evaluation, as well as 4 stars for both front-crash scenarios and rollover protection. (The 2015 Kia Forte hatchback received the same scores for side and rollover safety as the sedan, but has not yet been tested for front-crash protection.) 

Said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning for Kia Motors America: “NHTSA’s recent 5-Star rating of the 2015 Forte reinforces Kia’s commitment to safety.  The Forte combines striking design, outstanding quality and the exceptional value our brand is known for with the security of knowing the vehicle you own has performed well in NHTSA’s rigorous crash tests. We are extremely proud of the engineering that went into the second-generation Forte, and NHTSA’s testing has validated that effort with this 5-Star rating.”

Also reinforced for the 2015 Kia Forte were its A-pillars and lower side sills, with those enhancements complementing an already robust body structure made from plenty of high-strength steel; other safety highlights of the car include an available rearview camera system and standard:

• Four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking
• Vehicle stability management
• Electronic stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brake-force distribution
• Brake assist
• Hill-start assist
• Front and rear crumple zones
• An impact-absorbing steering-wheel column

Now, it's true that the current-generation car missed out on that other key third-party safety recognition—the Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)—but keep in mind that the 2015 Kia Forte, with its revised body structure, has yet to be tested. And since the 2014 model already had garnered the highest grades in all IIHS tests except for the small front-overlap evaluation, it's certainly possible the recent re-engineering was enough to secure an acceptable mark with the Institute—so stay tuned.

The 2015 Kia Forte sedan currently is on sale from $15,890, showcasing a $10 drop in MSRP along that extends to the 2015 Kia Forte hatch and 2015 Kia Forte Koup, too.