Top Safety Pick

2023 Kia Seltos

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

2023 Kia Seltos 4-door SUV — 2021 Kia Seltos shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system	Superior
Standard system	Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system	Superior
Optional system	Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Optional blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Optional rear automatic braking

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia Seltos SX Turbo 4-door 4wd

The Kia Seltos was introduced in the 2021 model year and is based on the same platform as the Kia Soul. Two small overlap frontal tests of the Seltos were conducted, one by the Institute and the other by Hyundai-Kia. Ratings are based on both tests, but the vehicle specifications shown below are based on the Institute’s test.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN2005	VTN2007
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	6	13
Footrest (cm)	10	7
Left toepan (cm)	7	6
Brake pedal (cm)	2	2
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2	5
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4	8
Upper dash (cm)	5	9
Lower instrument panel (cm)	5	9

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN2005	VTN2007
Head
HIC-15	219	105
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	18	19
Maximum Nij	0.23	0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28	25
Femur (kN)
Left	1.1	3.8
Right	0.1	0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0	7
Right	0	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0	1
Right	0	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.43	0.51
Right	0.50	0.33
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.0	1.3
Right	1.9	1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	68	78
Right	80	73

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia Seltos EX 4-door 4wd

The Kia Seltos was introduced in the 2021 model year and is based on the same platform as the Kia Soul. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2006
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	10
Footrest (cm)	11
Right toepan (cm)	9
Center toepan (cm)	4
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	5
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Upper dash (cm)	5
Right lower dash (cm)	8

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2006
Head
HIC-15	227
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	33
Maximum Nij	0.33
Chest maximum compression (mm)	21
Femur (kN)
Left	1.6
Right	1.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	4
Right	8
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.84
Right	0.98
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	3.2
Right	4.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	73
Right	80

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2006
Head
HIC-15	116
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	7
Maximum Nij	0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm)	29
Femur (kN)
Left	0.0
Right	0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.33
Right	0.14
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.6
Right	0.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	34
Right	54

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia Seltos EX 4-door 4wd

The Kia Seltos was introduced in the 2021 model year and is based on the same platform as the Kia Soul. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2007
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	12
Left (cm)	21
Center (cm)	13
Right (cm)	9
Brake pedal (cm)	11
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	1
Right (cm)	3
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	0
Rearward (cm)	-3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2007
Head
HIC-15	160
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	22
Maximum Nij	0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm)	33
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.8
Femur force - right (kN)	0.5
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	0
Maximum tibia index - left	0.65
Maximum tibia index - right	0.37
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	1.0
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	0.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	75
Right	132

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia Seltos SX 4-door 4wd

The Kia Seltos was introduced in the 2021 model year and is based on the same platform as the Kia Soul. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS2006
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-16.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2006
Head HIC-15	168
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.5
Compression (kN)	-0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	31
Lateral force (kN)	1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	32
Average deflection (mm)	29
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.45
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.56
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	3.0
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.6
Combined force (kN)	4.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	1.9
L-M moment (Nm)	202
A-P moment (Nm)	-24

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2006
Head HIC-15	183
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.4
Compression (kN)	-0.9
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	41
Lateral force (kN)	1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	33
Average deflection (mm)	26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.00
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.57
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.7
Combined force (kN)	2.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.5
L-M moment (Nm)	74
A-P moment (Nm)	-32

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2021-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia Seltos S Turbo 4-door 4wd

(Curb weight from 2021 Kia Seltos LX 4-door 4wd)

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,072 lbs
Peak force	17,477 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	5.69

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Manual cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	22
Distance below top of head (mm)	6
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	11.5
Head contact time (ms)	61
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	18
Max neck tension (N)	378

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

SX Turbo trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right and gradual left curves and fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the sharp left curve and on the sharp right curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	SX Turbo trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2021-23 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	101.3 m	8.9%
Straightaway left edge	67.3 m	8.9%
250m radius right curve, right edge	75.8 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	70.2 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	60.0 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	56.3 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	151.9 m
Straightaway left edge	157.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	79.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	77.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	60.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	58.6 m

Trim level(s)

S trim
EX trim
Nightfall trim
LX trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on the gradual right curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	S trim EX trim Nightfall trim LX trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2021-23 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	85.8 m	None
Straightaway left edge	37.9 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	48.7 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	42.1 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	41.0 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	36.2 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	137.6 m
Straightaway left edge	103.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	49.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	51.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	40.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	40.6 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

Optional Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist Fusion

Package name

Optional by trim
available on SX Turbo trim

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-23 models

Superior

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

System details

Standard Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist Camera

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2022-23 models

Superior

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

System details

standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist Camera

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2021-23 models

Superior

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 9 mph.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 18 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 2.1 seconds before impact.

System details

optional Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist Fusion

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2021-23 models of the following trim lines: SX Turbo trim

Superior

with optional equipment

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 9 mph.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 1.9 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	S Turbo
Seat type	leatherette

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	S Turbo
Seat type	leatherette

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	18
Clearance angle (degrees)	68
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	24
Clearance angle (degrees)	66
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	25
Clearance angle (degrees)	67
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	18
Clearance angle (degrees)	66
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation