Kia Seltos Keeps ALL SAFE in 100 KMPH Crash Days After 3-Star NCAP Score

Kia Seltos is one of the best-selling compact SUVs in the Indian market. However, it has been recently awarded a strictly average 3-star rating by Global NCAP. While many netizens have been quick to criticize the build quality of the Seltos due to the test result, here's a video that will probably act as a reassurance of high crash-safety that the popular Hyundai Creta adversary offers. Reportedly, the damaged Kia Seltos seen in the video crashed head-on into a concrete wall at triple-digit speeds but managed to keep the passengers away from any injuries. Talking of the damages, the front-end of this Seltos has suffered some serious damages as it has crumpled from the impact.

This incident somehow convinces us enough that safety ratings should not be the sole criteria to measure a car’s capability to keep the passengers safe during an event of a crash. Interestingly, the Australia-spec Kia Seltos that was recently tested at Global NCAP’s testbed had scored a complete 5-star rating. The India-spec model, however, only scored 3 stars and its footwell area has been declared unstable. Meanwhile, as per A-NCAP, the Australia-spec Seltos offers 'weak-to-adequate' protection to lower legs of the driver, while the front passenger enjoys 'adequate-to-good' level of safety.  A big reason for this massive difference can be the active and passive safety systems that come as standard on the Australia-spec model.

Also, while the Australian Seltos scores a full 5-star child protection score, the Indian version has got a lowly 2-star rating. A reason for this is the unavailability of ISOFIX child seat anchorage and 3-point belts in all seating positions on the Indian car.  The Kia Seltos on sale Down Under is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages on the rear outboard seats and top tether anchorages for all rear seating positions. The Australia-spec model even comes fitted with six airbags, autonomous brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist as standard fitment across the range. The India-spec model, on the other hand, comes with dual-front airbags, rear parking sensors, seat belts alarm, and high-speed notification as standard fitment on all variants. Though Kia offers the option of 6 airbags with the Seltos in the Indian market, an entry-level trim with dual-front airbags was put to test.

The Australia-spec model also boasts of a longer wheelbase than the Indian iteration of the Seltos, and we believe it might have helped it with improved structural rigidity and integrity than the India-spec model. However, the results could’ve been different if the top-spec trim of the Indian model was evaluated. Talking of the Seltos' prices, it starts at Rs. 9.89 lakh and tops out at Rs. 17.34 lakh.