Even when you follow all the instructions, you might not always be accepted into the college of your dreams. The 2021 Kia Seltos, which excelled in all Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) safety testing with the exception of one, met this destiny.
The Seltos excelled in every test for collision safety, offering the best protection for the driver and front passenger in small overlap frontal-impact collisions, for the front and rear seat occupants in side-impact collisions, and for the roof crush strength in a rollover accident. The seat designs and head restraints received high honors for protecting the occupants of the Seltos.
The IIHS also noted that the tiny SUV’s collision avoidance and driver assistance systems performed at a Superior level.
The headlights on this Kia are rated Poor by the IIHS for their ability to illuminate around curves. For the Seltos, Kia provides three different headlamp options: full LED with automated high-beam aid, halogens for the base model, and halogens with automatic high-beam assistance. In IIHS testing, all three received a Poor rating.
The Seltos would have been designated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS if it had received a Good or Acceptable rating for one of these sets of headlights. And the Seltos would be awarded a Top Safety Pick+ designation if all three sets got those ratings. Therefore, it appears that Kia needs to equip at least one model of its tenacious little sport-ute with curve-adaptive LED headlights.
Except for the base LX trim, all Seltos models come equipped with a driver monitoring system, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and lane-departure warning with lane-departure warning. The top-tier Seltos SX Turbo also includes a pedestrian and bicycle recognition system, adaptive cruise control, and stop-and-go functionality.
The IIHS provided the data for this article. It was correct as of August 28, 2020, but things could have altered after then.
In This Article...
Is a Kia Seltos dangerous?
The safety rating for the Kia Seltos is excellent. In the Global NCAP Crash Test, the SUV was given three stars. A 360-degree camera, electronic stability control, up to six airbags, ABS with EBD, front and rear parking sensors, and other safety features are included.
Why is the Kia Seltos’ safety rating so low?
The Global NCAP gave the Made-in-India Kia Seltos a 3 star safety grade for adult occupancy in the crash test conducted as part of the #SaferCarsForIndia initiative. For kid safety, it has a 2 star rating. The tiny SUV’s body shell is considered fragile. Due to the footwell’s instability, the driver’s legs and feet were injured. While the child occupant protection was rated inadequate, the SUV offers decent head protection.
Key Points
- The 2021 Kia Seltos only had one recall and 62 complaints after a year on the road. There have not yet been any inquiries opened.
- The biggest issue with the car so far was a significant oil leak recall that affected a total of about 150,000 Kia vehicles. Particular to the 2.0L “Nu engine is this.
- When releasing the brake, some 2021 Seltos drivers have complained that the engine’s auto-shutoff mechanism fails to restart the engine.
- There have only been a few reports that the Seltos may not stay put when set in park or that it may be challenging to remove from park.
- It might still be too early to determine whether the Seltos is a dependable vehicle at this time. However, it has received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, and Kias are known for being simple to maintain.
What caused Kia Seltos to fail?
According to pictures posted on social media, the SUV was split between the C pillar on the driver’s side and the B pillar on the passenger side. It is not often possible to see devastation of this magnitude.
It would be dangerous for rescue personnel to cut into the floor because the gasoline tank is right underneath the seat and the fuel lines also run below. According to reports, the Kia Seltos was moving quickly at the time of the collision on the two-lane NH-547.
Local police officials reportedly believe the Seltos was being driven very quickly. Additionally, it has been alleged that the driver is the subject of a FIR.
The split in the SUV was caused by a unique confluence of elements. The tremendous kinetic energy generated from the high-speed impact in a small space caused the Kia Seltos’ monocoque construction to entirely break into two pieces. The SUV appears to have been destroyed by a powerful force in the image.
The upgraded electronic stability control in the Kia Seltos’ most recent iteration helps the car maintain stability even during maneuvers at high speeds. The SUV that was involved in the collision is an earlier model of the Anniversary Edition, which is no longer available. It lacked the ESC feature.
According to reports, a motorcycle rider suddenly crossed in front of the SUV as it transitioned from a gravel lane to the main road.
In an effort to save the motorcycle rider, the SUV’s driver swerved and made a U-turn. The SUV then returned to the road and abruptly made a right turn in anticipation of a bridge. However, the maneuvers were unsuccessful, and the Seltos struck the bridge. The impact caused the SUV’s floor and roof torn off, causing the SUV to split in half.
The SUV’s rear seat occupants perished in the collision. Despite suffering severe injuries, those in the first row were able to survive thanks to the airbags and seatbelts.
Prior to this, the Kia Seltos received a 5-star rating in both the ANCAP and Global NCAP crash tests. Six airbags and safety aid systems were included as standard equipment in the ANCAP test vehicle. Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors are all standard on the vehicle built for India. Up to six airbags, blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera are included in the model.
Are Kia vehicles unsafe?
Default iteration of India-spec For adult safety, Kia Seltos receives a 3, and for kid protection, a 2.
Both ISOFIX and a three-point seatbelt for the back center passenger are absent from the Kia Seltos HTE.
Surprisingly, the bodyshell and footwell of the Seltos were deemed unstable and unable to sustain further loads.
The Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) examined the well-known Kia Seltos for crashworthiness, and it gave it an average three stars for adult safety and a dismal two stars for kid passenger safety. GNCAP used the Seltos HTE type, which lacks ISOFIX child seat anchorages and a three-point seatbelt for the middle-rear occupant and only has dual front airbags and ABS with EBD.
The vehicle’s body shell integrity was deemed unstable during a collision test at 64 kph. It was also thought that the footwell area was unstable. Although the higher versions of the Seltos have more safety features, the structure’s low safety rating is still a concern. Subcompact SUVs that are more reasonably priced, such the Tata Nexon and the Mahindra XUV300, have just scored five stars.
The first Kia sold in India received an adult protection rating of 8.03 out of 17, with the head protection being rated as “sufficient” due to the fact that both occupants bottomed out the airbags. Both of the front adult passengers reported that the neck protection was “excellent”. For the co-driver, the chest protection was “decent,” but “minimal” for the driver. GNCAP gave the driver’s and co-knee driver’s protection a “poor” rating and stated that it was likely to collide with “dangerous structures behind the dashboard.”
For kid occupant protection, the Kia Seltos scored a pitiful 15 out of a possible 49 points. GNCAP advised against using child restraining devices (CRS). The head and neck of the three-year-old dummy passenger in a forward-facing seat had “minimal protection.” The protection provided to an 18-month-old dummy passenger in a rearward-facing seat was satisfactory.
The Global NCAP highlighted that the base Seltos HTE lacks the ISOFIX mounts and 3-point seatbelts that are available starting with the HTX model.
Since its launch in August 2019, the Kia Seltos has consistently sold among the top 10 vehicles in India. The cost ranges from Rs. 9.89 lakh to Rs. 17.34 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Is Kia’s body flimsy?
The Kia Seltos was crash-tested by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) and earned an average three stars for adult safety and a dismal two stars for kid passenger safety despite having a body made of 73 percent high-tensile steel. The vehicle’s body shell integrity was deemed unstable during a collision test at 64 kph. It was also thought that the footwell area was unstable.
The Kia Seltos’ failure in India: why?
Currently, one of India’s most popular SUVs is the Kia Seltos. It has already made it to the top-selling automobiles list for the previous two months and is priced from Rs 9.69 Lakhs up to Rs 16.99 Lakhs (Ex-showroom).
Within a few months of the debut, the number of reservations has surpassed 60,000 units. However, the waiting duration is mostly under your control because the longest you must wait is three months. A longer waiting period was required for its price challenger, the MG Hector.
However, a lot of SUV owners have taken their issues to social media. Numerous consumers have reported having issues with Kia Seltos, which have been pooled together.
1. Transmission Overheating
Many customers have complained that they frequently receive the notice “Transmission temperature is high” on the MID. Stop Sensibly. One customer operated the Seltos GTX+ for approximately 100 kilometers before the overheating message appeared on the MID. Within a few weeks of purchase, another customer who purchased the DCT model encountered the same issue.
2. The delivery of a faulty vehicle
A Kia Seltos Diesel HTK 6-speed AT owner has spoken about her issues. She claimed in the lengthy post that the infotainment started working after just 20 days of purchase. After 2-3 days of going from dealer to dealer, she was able to get the car fixed. But after just a short while of driving once more, the issue reappeared. The owner then noticed the AC was emitting white smoke and a foul odor. Within 20 days of the car’s acquisition, all of these issues had arisen.
3. A motorist involved in an accident receives no response
The Kia service centers are giving many users problems. Within three days of purchasing the vehicle, one owner was involved in an accident. However, the Kia service center has been silent for more than two months on the problematic vehicle. Similar to the previous buyer, another customer has his Seltos parked in the service center for 15 days because there aren’t any replacement components or helpful staff.
4. Incorrect Delivery Time Frame
Many customers have voiced their dissatisfaction over the fact that they still haven’t received their Seltos. For one customer, the GTX DCT model has been reserved for more than 100 days and no delivery information has been provided. It has been 93 days since the booking, and another customer is experiencing the same problem. Customers believe that Kia dealerships have a preference system in place.
5. Minimal Miles
One particular owner asserted that the GTX DCT only gets 7.7 km per gallon even after traveling more than 450 kilometers at a speed of 40 km/h on a traffic-free road. Additionally, despite always using the eco mode, the person got poor mileage. The business states that the DCT model offers 16 km/l.
Who in India has the safest vehicle?
The crash test gave the Mahindra XUV700 a 5-star rating, making it the safest vehicle in India. Seven airbags and other modern driver assistance features, like as adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking, are included in the top variations. The base variant, on the other hand, has dual airbags and ABS.
Are Kias trustworthy and safe?
To obtain their overall reliability ratings, the RepairPal team considers a number of different variables. Simply put, your out-of-pocket ownership expenditures will be cheaper the more dependable your car is. The cost, frequency, and severity of repairs are some of these variables. In order to calculate an individual brand’s total RepairPal reliability rating, these categories are averaged.
In the RepairPal reliability rankings, Kia came in at number three, including second place when only non-luxury brands were included. The Kia Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, placing it third among all car brands out of 32. This evaluation is based on the average of 345 different models.
“Kia had three well-liked models, including the Soul, Rio, and Forte, in the top 30 with Excellent ratings. The Optima and Sorento, two of its most well-liked cars, kept their Excellent rankings within the top 100.
Is Kia reliable in India?
Right now, Kia is a fantastic corporation. South Korean automaker Kia Automobile has its global headquarters in Seoul. It is the oldest and second-largest vehicle manufacturer in Korea. The business began operating in India in July 2019. All Kia vehicles are fully equipped and are noted for their dependability.
The current warranty that each Kia vehicle comes with is for 10 years and 10,000 miles, making it easily the most extensive warranty that any automaker can provide. The refined engine options that Kia automobiles offer are potent and environmentally sustainable. As part of your warranty protection, Kia additionally provides free 24-hour roadside assistance for five years and 60,000 miles.
Kia vehicles are renowned for their distinctive style, outstanding appearance, and superior handling compared to most of their competitors. For its sector, it has a good fuel efficiency. Over the years, Kia manufacturers have placed a premium on craftsmanship and ongoing development. The business is currently the automaker with the fastest growth.
When it comes to affordability, Kia vehicles are frequently less expensive. If you’re looking for a full-size sedan, Kia vehicles are just what you need at a price you can afford.
Given the value it provides in comparison to its rivals, KIA is a fantastic option. All Kia models have well-finished interiors that make driving more fun than before. They have soft-touch materials, colorful LED lighting, and many other intriguing elements that would make your ride as comfortable as possible. This is why Kia automobiles are known as premium vehicles. It boasts dual air bags and cutting-edge active safety features. In India, Kia currently has more than 265 Touch Points spread over 160 cities, and they plan to significantly expand their business.
Most of the newest Kia vehicles come with UVO e Services, which include Bluetooth functionality, audio entertainment systems, vehicle diagnostics, and other services. It also provides a wide range of color and trim options. You can customize your Kia car however you choose, which is one of its interesting advantages. That seems fascinating, doesn’t it?
On February 5, 2020, during the car expo 2020, Kia Motors India introduced the Kia Carnival in India for Rs 24.95 lakhs. The vehicle comes in five variations: Premium 7 and 8-Seater, Limousine 7-Seater, and Prestige 7 and 9-Seater. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Kia vehicles are made to be simple to service and maintain. They also performed well in safety tests. European engineers work with Kia and have been effective in establishing standards that any sophisticated driver would be familiar with. Kia has been building durable automobiles that are reasonably priced. If you’re considering purchasing a car, the Kia brand is definitely worth adding to your list of potential new cars.
The following are a few intriguing facets of the company:
- With only 80 problems for every 100 vehicles, The Telegraph ranked it third out of 20 for the most reliable car brands of 2017.
- CNN also ranked Kia at sixth place in 2015.
- Kia was given the honor of being J.D Power’s top-ranked brand for dependability for Initial Quality in 2016. Thus, Kia has maintained consistency over the previous few years while also advancing.
- Kia was named the top global brand of 2014 by Interbrand.
- Regarding safety features, Kia models are among the highest rated vehicles according to NHTSA and the IIHS.
- Kia Motors India set a new record for the firm in February 2020 by selling 15,644 automobiles. Its current monthly sales are at their highest level ever.