Here's Why Indian Kia Seltos Scored 3-Star but Australia Model Scored 5-Star in NCAP Tests

Kia Seltos is sold across the globe with different engine and wheelbase options. Also, the crash test ratings of the Seltos sold in various countries vary by some margin. The India-spec Kia Seltos was recently put to test by Global NCAP. It received an average 3-star crash test rating for adult safety and an even lower 2-star crash test rating for child safety. However, the Australian-spec model scored a full 5-star crash test rating for adult occupant safety and child occupant safety at Australian NCAP program. With this difference in the results of India-spec and Australian-spec models, the audience has started raising eyebrows on India-spec Seltos’ build quality. But, the reasons behind this wide gap in the crash test ratings are many. Let's find them out in a read here.

To start with, the bodyshell of the India-spec Seltos is rated as unstable, and it cannot take further loading. Moreover, the footwell area of the cabin is valued as unstable too. Supporting tubes behind the dashboard are said to be the cause of this rating here. Moving over to the child safety aspect, the absence of 3-point seat belts for all occupants and ISOFIX anchorage for child seats are to be blamed here. Also, seat belts were not able to resist the forward movement of the child seat during the frontal impact test.

The Australian-spec model, on the other hand, performed better in the test. Its frame is rated as stable and can take up further loading. In the side impact test, it scores full 8 points. Although, the lower legs of the front passengers are prone to injuries here as well. For the child safety, the Australian-spec model comes fitted with 3-point seat belts for all seats along with ISOFIX child seat anchorage for the rear bench.

Additionally, the Seltos sold in the Australian market is offered with 6 airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning as standard fitment across the range. The India-spec model, however, comes with just dual-front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors as standard equipment across all the variants. The option of 6-airbags is limited to the top-end trims only. With all of these distinctions, the Seltos sold in the Australian market leaps forward in terms of occupant safety in comparison to the India-spec model.