India-spec Kia Seltos scores 3 stars In Global NCAP safety test

KUALA LUMPUR: A few days back, the Latin NCAP crash tested and evaluated the Kia Picanto, a popular offering from the Korean automaker in several foreign markets, including Malaysia. And unfortunately, the hatchback failed to score even a single point in the test. After this, another Kia model which disappointed the customers in terms of safety is the Kia Seltos available in the Indian market.

The Global NCAP, under its ‘SaferCarsForIndia’ campaign recently crash-tested a range of cars sold in India, out of these one was the Seltos, one of the popular mid-size SUVs in the country. As per the report, it received an average of three stars for adult occupant protection out of a possible five, and it got only two stars for child safety out of a maximum of five. In contrast, more affordable subcompact Indian SUVs such as the Tata Nexon and the Mahindra XUV300 have received five stars in the recent past.

For the crash tests, GNCAP used the Seltos base variant, which equips dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and an emergency stop signal. The SUV was crash tested at 64 kmph, and the evaluators rated its body shell integrity and footwell area unstable. 

The vehicle received an overall score of 8.03 out of a maximum of 17 for adult protection. The head protection was considered ‘adequate’ as both the passengers bottomed out the airbags. The neck protection was marked ‘good’ for both adult passengers at the front, and the chest protection was ‘good’ for the front occupant and ‘marginal’ for the driver. On the knee safety, the rating was ‘marginal’ for the driver as well as the co-driver. GNCAP mentioned that it was prone to hit with ‘dangerous structures behind the dashboard.’

Coming to the child occupant protection category, the Kia Seltos managed a dismal 15 points out of 49. The head of the 3-year-old dummy seated in a forward-facing child seat received ‘limited protection’ for the head as well as neck. At the same time, an 18-month-old child dummy that sat in a rearward-facing seat got acceptable protection. Global NCAP further noted that the base trim does not equip 3-point seatbelts and ISOFIX mounts, which Kia offers in higher variants.

In the local market, the Ka Seltos launch is around the corner; the bookings have been started back in September.

Also read: Next-generation Kia Sportage is likely to arrive in April 2021