The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has awarded the 2010 Kia Forte with the Top Safety Pick award. A car received the honor after receiving the highest rating of Good in the frontal, side, rear, and rollover tests of the institute. Stability control has to be standard as well.

 

The institute says that two frontal crash tests had to be conducted on the Forte. "In the first test, forces recorded on the dummy's head and neck were high, leading to a Marginal head/neck injury rating and a Marginal overall rating. In response, Kia modified the airbag control computer to deploy the side curtain airbag, in addition to the frontal airbag, in certain frontal crashes beginning with cars manufactured after January 2010." A service campaign was put out by Kia to reprogram all previously sold vehicles.

 

Two side crash tests also had to be done after Kia wanted to make a few structural changes. "Because of deficiencies identified in an earlier test of the Forte, Kia made design changes to the B-pillar and roof structure to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes and rollovers beginning with 2010 models built after October 2009.

 

The institute says that side impact crash performance improved with the modifications. For the roof-strength test, the Forte was able to withstand 4.58 times it's weight, about 13,000-lbs.

 

The Kia Forte was introduced is brand new for the 2010 model year and replaces the less-safe Kia Spectra. The Forte's direct competitors are the Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cobalt, and the Honda Civic, which it resembles.

 

Source: IIHS