Kia Seltos Outscores Tata Sierra in Bharat NCAP Crash Tests

The previous generation Kia Seltos was criticised for poor safety, scored only 3 stars in Global NCAP crash tests. The things have changed, and the new-gen Seltos becomes the safest ICE-powered model in a recently concluded Bharat NCAP crash tests. The all-new Kia Seltos recorded an Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) score of 31.70 out of 32 points, narrowly beating the Tata Sierra’s 31.14 points. 

In the Child Occupant Protection (COP) category, the Seltos further improved its lead with a score of 45 out of 49, compared to the Sierra’s 44.73 points. For your reference, both mid-sized SUVs have scored 5 stars from Bharat NCAP crash tests. 

BNCAP Score Comparison (March 2026)

The all-new Kia Seltos is based on the brand’s updated K3 platform. The SUV has showed “Good” protection for almost all critical body parts of the driver and passenger in the frontal offset and side impact tests. The Tata Sierra remains an incredibly safe vehicle; however, the new Seltos gained its edge through superior points in the side pole impact and dynamic child restraint assessments. 

Seltos BNCAP AOP: 31.70 points out of 32

The SUV has received 15.70 points out of the maximum 16 points in the frontal offset deformable barrier. In the side movable deformable barrier test, the new Kia Seltos scored full 16 points out of the max 16 points. The SUV provided ‘good’ protection for the driver’s head, chest, pelvis, thighs and right tibia. 

It offers adequate protection for both feet and left tibia. On the flip side, the SUV offers good protection for all critical body parts of the co-driver. In both side movable deformable barrier and side pole impact tests, the driver and co-driver received good protection for head, chest, abdomen and pelvis. 

Seltos BNCAP COP: 45 points out of 49

Dynamic Score: 24 out of maximum 24 points
CRS installation score: 12 out of maximum 12 points
Vehicle assessment score: 9 out of 13 points

For both rearward-facing 18 month old and 3 year old child dummies, the Kia Seltos scored 8 out of 8 points in frontal and 4 out of 4 in side crash tests in the Child Occupant Protection. It also scored full dynamic score (24 out of 24) and child restraint system (CRS) installation (12 out of 12). 

Safety Features

The all-new Kia Seltos is equipped with six airbags, a reverse parking camera, rear parking sensors, ABS with EBD, a tyre-pressure monitoring system, ESC, stability control, all-wheel disc brakes, hill-start assist, downhill brake control, ISOFIX child-seat mounts and others. 

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