The Kia Seltos is on the path to safety success as it achieves a coveted five-star rating in the recent ANCAP crash test. The test results apply to all Seltos variants manufactured after October 2019 and comprehensively evaluate adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user protection, and safety assist systems. Here’s a breakdown of the safety performance:
- Adult Occupant Protection: The Seltos shines with an impressive 85% score, showcasing its commitment to safeguarding the driver and passengers.
- Child Occupant Protection: Scoring a commendable 83%, the Seltos provides security for younger occupants, further enhancing its safety credentials.
- Vulnerable Road User Protection: With a rating of 61%, the Seltos offers essential safeguards to pedestrians and other road users, although there’s room for improvement in this category.
- Safety Assist: The Seltos received a score of 70%, particularly lauded for its autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist systems, underlining its focus on proactive safety measures.
Global NCAP Evaluation: Room for Growth:
The Kia Seltos faced additional scrutiny under the Global NCAP’s #SaferCarsForIndia campaign. While it attained a three-star rating for adult occupant protection, there is potential for enhancement in the child occupant protection category, where it secured a two-star rating. Notable concerns include the stability of the body shell and the need for improved protection for the driver’s legs and feet due to the footwell’s instability. The absence of three-point seat belts for all passengers and ISOFIX anchorages for child seats also raised red flags.
Comparative Insights: Outshining Some Rivals:
In the competitive Indian compact SUV market, the Kia Seltos takes the lead with its ANCAP rating, surpassing competitors like the Hyundai Creta, MG Hector, and Tata Harrier. Here’s a quick look at how it stacks up against its peers:
- Hyundai Creta: The Creta secures a four-star rating for adult occupant protection and a three-star rating for child occupant protection from the Global NCAP.
- MG Hector: The crash test ratings for the MG Hector are currently unavailable for a direct comparison.
- Tata Harrier: Tata’s Harrier shines with a four-star rating for adult occupant protection and a three-star rating for child occupant protection according to the Global NCAP.
In Summation: Safety in Perspective:
The Kia Seltos has made a mark with its outstanding features and engine options. However, its safety ratings, though commendable in the ANCAP, raise concerns based on the Global NCAP evaluation. While awaiting the upcoming facelift model, potential buyers should weigh the safety ratings alongside other considerations before making an informed decision.
