The 2021 model year of the Kia Seltos has secured a 5-star rating at the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests in the US. The model achieved top safety ratings in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention. The ratings were given for two trims – S (O)/S (O) turbo and EX (O). The Seltos provided good protection for the driver’s head, neck, chest, hip/thigh and lower leg. The compact SUV’s bodyshell was said to be good as well. Read – Kia Sonet Offers More Mileage Than Hyundai Venue
After the frontal crash test, the dummy’s position shows that the driver’s survival space was maintained in relation to the door frame, instrument panel and steering wheel. The frontal and side curtain airbags opened timely and kept the head from coming close to any tough structure or object. The Seltos’ roof strength was also rated as good. However, its headlights rating for 3 different variations – Low-beam, high-beam and high beam assist – was poor. The visibility provided by halogen or LED headlamps (that vary variant-wise) was inadequate in all four tests. In child protection test, the performance of the Seltos S turbo trim was acceptable.
The US-spec Kia Seltos comes with the optional front crash prevention system that misses out on the India-spec model. Depending on the variants, the safety kit of the India-spec Seltos includes multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, Isofix child seat mounts, tyre pressure monitoring system, vehicle stability management, hill start assist, electronic stability control, front parking sensors, rear view camera with guidelines and brake assist. Check Out – First Spy Pictures of All-New Kia Sportage SUV
Here, the Seltos model lineup comes with 6 engine-gearbox combinations, which is first in the segment. The lineup includes a 1.5L petrol with 6-speed MT and CVT gearboxes, a 1.4L turbo petrol with 6-speed MT and 7-speed DCT automatic transmissions and a 1.5L diesel with 6-speed MT and AT gearboxes. The turbo-petrol motor is exclusively offered on the GT Line trims.
Kia Seltos IIHS Crash Test Video
