How Safe Is the Kia Sonet Really for Saudi Families?

Saudi Arabia: In a big market trend in Saudi Arabia, safety has become a key selling point, as most buyers don’t want any compromise when it comes to protecting them on the move. Automakers know this well and are loading cars across all segments with key safety features. The Kia Sonet is no different and packed some of the key features, ensuring greater confidence than some rivals.

What's Standard vs Optional

Safety Feature	LX	LX2	EX2	EX
6 Airbags	✓	✓	✓	✓
ABS/EBD/ESC	✓	✓	✓	✓
Rear Camera	-	✓	✓	✓
FCA	-	-	✓	✓
LKA/LFA	-	-	✓	✓
HBA/DAW	-	-	✓	✓

As the table rightfully points out, there are six airbags as standard, covering driver, passenger, front side, and curtain airbags, protecting both rows. Compare this to Chinese competitors offering four airbags and calling it adequate. The Sonet protects rear passengers, not just front seats. This matters when your kids sit in back during the school run or weekend family trips to Taif.

The ADAS 

Here's where Kia separates from budget brands. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that actually work.

Lane Keeping Assist: Detects lane markings and vibrates the steering wheel if you drift without signaling. Works well on Saudi highways, where long straight sections can cause drowsiness.

Lane Following Assist: Goes beyond LKA, gently steering to keep you centered in the lane. Useful during traffic jams on Riyadh's Ring Road.

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist: Watches ahead for vehicles or obstacles, warns you, and applies brakes if you don't respond. Has saved lives in real-world scenarios.

High Beam Assist: Automatically switches between high and low beams based on oncoming traffic. A very useful feature that reduces driver fatigue on night drives.

Driver Attention Warning (DAW): Monitors driving patterns and alerts if it detects drowsiness. Not perfect, but better than nothing on long desert highways.

These systems come on higher trims (EX2 and EX). Base LX and LX2 miss them entirely. That's the problem with Kia's strategy.

Electronic Safety Systems

ABS with EBD is standard. Electronic Stability Control prevents spins. Traction control stops wheel spin. The Hill Start Assist holds the car on slopes. Useful in Taif or Abha's mountain roads, pointless in flat Riyadh. The tire pressure monitoring system alerts to low pressure. Critical in Saudi heat, where tire pressure fluctuates significantly. The safety gap between LX and EX is massive. You are essentially buying a different level of protection.

What is Missing 

There are no independent crash test ratings for the Sonet in the Middle East configuration. No Euro NCAP or IIHS. However, Kia claims GCC compliance. The car passes regional safety requirements. But we don't have five-star ratings to point to. If you compare this to global models tested by NCAP programs. Proven crash protection with public results. The Sonet might be safe. We just don't have independent verification.

The Safety Assessment

The Sonet offers real safety tech at this price point. Competitors either don't have it or charge more for it. Also, Kia's 5-year/100,000 km warranty suggests they trust their safety systems long-term. That's reassuring. But the lack of independent crash test results creates uncertainty.

Safety Features (Top Trim):

• 6 airbags covering driver, passenger, side, curtain
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Lane Following Assist 
• High Beam Assist 
• Driver Attention Warning
• Blind Spot Warning 
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• ABS, EBD, ESC, Traction Control
• Hill Start Assist
• Tire Pressure Monitoring

For families in Saudi Arabia, the Sonet's safety package is its strongest selling point. Just make sure you buy a trim that includes the systems worth having.

Also Read: Redefining the SUV Experience with the All-New Toyota RAV4 in Saudi Arabia