2024 Kia Seltos

small SUV / 4-door SUV

2024 Kia Seltos 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: original test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

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

Key

  • Good
  • Acceptable
  • Marginal
  • Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

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 driver-side 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

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 passenger-side 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

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Kia Seltos LX 4-door 4wd

The Kia Seltos was introduced in the 2021 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Forces on the driver dummy's lower right leg were high enough to indicate the likelihood of injuries.

The rear passenger dummy's head remained a safe distance from the front seatback.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the chest and a moderate risk of injury to the head or neck. During the crash, the shoulder belt moved too far upward toward the dummy’s neck, compromising the effectiveness of the rear restraint system.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt remained in the ideal position on the pelvis.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEF2431
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 11
Left (cm) 21
Center (cm) 17
Right (cm) 11
Brake pedal (cm) 8
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 1
Right (cm) 4
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 1
Rearward (cm) -2
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEF2431
Head
HIC-15 135
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 25
Maximum Nij 0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm) 32
Femur (kN)
Left 2.2
Right 1.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.62
Right 1.09
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.2
Right 2.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 149
Right 140

Rear passenger injury measures

Test ID CEF2431
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 2.4
Compression (kN) 0.1
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Chest
Chest index 28
Shoulder belt tension (kN) 5.9
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression 0.3
Right femur compression 0.1

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

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

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 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.

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

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbags.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2405
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -10.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2405
Head
HIC-15 234
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 36
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 30
Average deflection (mm) 29
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.55
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.52
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 6.2

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2405
Head
HIC-15 258
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.5
Compression (kN) 0.9
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 55
Lateral force (kN) 1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 51
Average deflection (mm) 41
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 6.14
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 1.20
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.4

About the side crash test

Headlights

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

Trim level(s)

  • SX trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED 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 left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp right and sharp left curves, fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair 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 trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2024-25 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 75.6 m None
Straightaway left edge 54.4 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 63.4 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 51.9 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.7 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 58.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 134.4 m
Straightaway left edge 136.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 67.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 70.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 59.5 m

Trim level(s)

  • LX trim
  • S trim
  • EX trim
  • X-Line 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 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 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 and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • LX trim
  • S trim
  • EX trim
  • X-Line trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2024-25 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 72.6 m None
Straightaway left edge 33.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 49.0 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 36.9 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 39.9 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 33.2 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 135.6 m
Straightaway left edge 85.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 51.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 49.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 41.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 40.8 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

  • standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 20 mph.

Crossing adult — night

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 13 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 3 mph.

Parallel adult — night

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.4 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 5 mph and a warning was issued 0.3 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
DurationLong enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
None
Technical measurements for this test
Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h 53 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h 58 dB
Difference between background and signal 5.1 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h 56 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h 61 dB
Difference between background and signal 4.6 dB
Dominant audio frequency 880 Hz

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

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