A blog post that discusses the Kia Seltos Safety Rating NCAP, based on the latest Global NCAP crash test results.
The Kia Seltos is a compact SUV that has become a crowd favourite in the Indian automobile market since its launch in 2019. With over 25,000 units sold in the first three months of 2024, the car quickly became one of the highest-selling SUVs in the country, thanks to its stylish design, premium features and impressive performance.
However, one area where the Seltos has been the subject of scrutiny is its safety rating. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the Kia Seltos safety rating in 2024, examining the results of the latest crash tests and delving into what they mean for the car’s overall safety profile.
Read more: Global NCAP Rating for SUVs in India: Highest Safest Car (2024)
Kia Seltos Safety Rating NCAP
The safety rating of the Kia Seltos is based on the crash test assessment conducted by the Global NCAP, an independent body that evaluates the safety of vehicles sold in India. The organisation tested the entry-level HTE variant of the Seltos, which comes with 2 airbags and ABS as standard. The results were not entirely positive, with the car receiving a 3-star safety rating for adult occupant protection and a 2-star safety rating for child occupant protection.
Kia Seltos Adult Occupant Protection Rating
The Kia Seltos SUV received an overall 3-star rating for adult occupant protection in the Global NCAP safety test. The report found that the car provides adequate head and neck protection for both the driver and front passenger. However, the driver’s chest received only marginal protection, while the passenger’s chest protection was good. The car also showed signs of structural instability, with the footwell area being rated as unstable. The car scored 8.03 points out of 17 for adult occupant protection.
Kia Seltos Child Occupant Protection Rating
The Kia Seltos received a low 2-star rating for child occupant protection in the Global NCAP safety test. The report stated that the car does not offer standard ISOFIX anchorages for child seats, which are essential for securing the child restraint systems. The car also does not provide a three-point seatbelt for the middle rear passenger, which compromises the safety of the third child occupant. The car scored 15 points out of 49 for child occupant protection.
Kia Seltos Safety Assist Test
The Kia Seltos underwent the Safety Assist test conducted by Global NCAP and scored a respectable three stars out of five. The car was equipped with standard safety features such as seatbelts, ABS, and front airbags for the driver and passenger. However, the car lacks some advanced safety features such as electronic stability control, side airbags, and autonomous emergency braking, which could have improved its safety rating1. The car scored 6.5 points out of 13 for safety assist.
Kia Seltos Motorcyclist Safety Test
The Kia Seltos also participated in the Motorcyclist Safety test conducted by Global NCAP and scored a moderate two stars out of five. The test evaluates the potential impact of the car on a motorcyclist or a cyclist in the event of a collision. The car scored 9.66 points out of 24 for motorcyclist safety. The report noted that the car has a high bonnet and a stiff front end, which could cause severe injuries to the motorcyclist’s head and chest. The car also does not have any active or passive safety features to mitigate the impact on the motorcyclist.
Conclusion
The Kia Seltos is undoubtedly a popular and attractive car in the Indian market, but its safety rating leaves much to be desired. The car performed poorly in the Global NCAP crash tests, especially in terms of child occupant protection and motorcyclist safety.
The car also lacks some of the modern safety features that are available in its competitors, such as the Tata Nexon and the Mahindra XUV300, which have both achieved a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP. Therefore, if you are looking for a safe and reliable car, you might want to consider other options before buying the Kia Seltos. Alternatively, you could opt for the higher variants of the Seltos, which come with more safety features and a better build quality, but at a higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Kia Seltos’ NCAP rating?
Answer: The Kia Seltos received a 3-star rating in the Global NCAP crash test assessment. This rating applies to models manufactured between 2019 and 2022.
2. Is the Kia Seltos safe to buy despite the 3-star rating?
Answer: While a higher NCAP rating is always desirable, a 3-star rating still indicates a decent level of occupant protection in case of a crash. However, consider factors like your individual safety priorities, budget, and available safety features in different variants before making a decision.
3. How does the Seltos’ NCAP rating compare to its competitors?
Answer: The Seltos’ 3-star rating falls behind some competitors like the Tata Nexon (5 stars) and Mahindra XUV300 (4 stars) in the same segment. However, it performs better than others like the Hyundai Creta (3 stars) and Nissan Kicks (1 star).
4. Which specific areas of the Seltos scored poorly in the NCAP test?
Answer: The Seltos received low scores in adult occupant protection (12.54 out of 17) and child occupant protection (22.35 out of 49). This indicates concerns regarding structural integrity and protection for both adults and children in certain crash scenarios.
5. Has Kia improved the Seltos’ safety features since the 2019 model?
Answer: Yes, Kia has introduced additional safety features like standard 6 airbags, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), and Hill-Start Assist across all variants in the 2023 model onwards. This could potentially improve its future NCAP rating.
6. What safety features does the Kia Seltos offer in India?
Answer: Depending on the variant, the Indian Seltos offers features like dual airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, ESC, traction control, hill-start assist, and rear parking sensors. Higher variants add features like a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning.
7. Is the Kia Seltos available with a stronger body structure after the NCAP rating?
Answer: Kia hasn’t explicitly mentioned strengthening the body structure based on the NCAP results. However, the introduction of additional safety features in newer models suggests their focus on improving overall safety.
8. Will the Kia Seltos undergo another NCAP test soon?
Answer: There’s no official confirmation about a retest. However, as Kia improves safety features and potentially addresses structural concerns, a future retest with a better rating is a possibility.
9. Are there any safety concerns specific to the Indian-made Kia Seltos compared to the global model?
Answer: There haven’t been any reported differences in safety features or construction between the Indian and global Seltos models. However, it’s always a good practice to double-check the specific features offered in your region before purchase.
10. Where can I find more information about the Kia Seltos’ NCAP rating and safety features?
Answer: You can refer to the Global NCAP website (https://globalncap.org/), Kia’s official website for your region, or independent car review websites for detailed information and comparisons.
Remember, NCAP ratings are just one factor to consider when buying a car. Always prioritize your individual needs and conduct thorough research before making a final decision.
I hope this blog was helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading! 😊
