Top Safety PickTop Safety Pick criteria

2021 Kia Seltos

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights built after August 2020

2021 Kia Seltos 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
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

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

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning
  • Optional lane departure prevention

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.

Overall evaluation
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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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

Driver injury measures

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.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

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

Passenger injury measures

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

Driver injury measures

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.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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

Driver injury measures

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.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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.

Driver injury measures

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

Passenger injury measures

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 weight3,072 lbs
Peak force17,477 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.69

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 4 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • SX Turbo trim; built after August 2020
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

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
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 built after August 2020
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
  • S Turbo trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

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
Trim level(s)
  • S trim
  • EX trim
  • S Turbo 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

Trim level(s)

  • LX trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam 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.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • LX trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2021 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

Trim level(s)

  • SX Turbo trim; built before September 2020
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

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

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

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

Technical measurements for this test
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 models built before September 2020
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 55.4 m None
Straightaway left edge 41.0 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 50.6 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 40.6 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 44.2 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 38.8 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 128.9 m
Straightaway left edge 144.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 61.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 58.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 48.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 45.1 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 Camera

Package name

  • Optional by trim
  • available on S, EX, and S Turbo trims

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021 models

Superior
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

  • Optional Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist Fusion

Package name

  • Optional by trim
  • available on SX Turbo trim

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-23 models

Superior
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.

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

  • optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist Camera

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2021-23 models of the following trim lines: S Turbo trim, S trim, EX trim

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment

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
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

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimS 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.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimS Turbo
Seat type leatherette
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
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

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
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
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

Seat position 21

3

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

Seat position 22

2

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

Seat position 23

1

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