Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent improve small overlap crash performance

The redesigned minicars have earned a \'good\' rating in the driver-side impact and an \'acceptable\' rating in the passenger-side test.

The redesigned Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent have demonstrated significant improvements in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's small overlap tests.

Earlier versions of the minicars both earned a 'poor' rating in the driver-side small overlap test, with high levels of intrusion into the driver space.

"In both the tests of the 2013 Accent and the 2013 Rio, intrusion reached 11 inches at the lower door hinge pillar, and movement of the steering column allowed the dummy's head to slide off the airbag. In the case of the Accent, the head hit the instrumental panel, as the safety belt allowed too much forward movement," the IIHS says.

Redesigned for the 2018 model year, the new Accent and Rio have earned a 'good' rating in the driver-side small overlap test. In the new passenger-side impact, the cars have received an 'acceptable' rating due to the dummy's head sliding off the right of the airbag.

Unfortunately, the diminutive duo has been excluded from the Top Safety Pick club because of their 'poor' headlights.