The 2023 Kia Seltos, which was recently introduced in India, has piqued the interest of both car enthusiasts and experts. Shipping with a plethora of creature-comfort features, this updated model now features 17 ADAS level 2 features, showcasing Kia’s dedication to both passenger comfort and safety.
Aatish Mishra, assistant editor at evo India says, “It is really worth talking about the level of ADAS features that the Seltos gets, especially at the price it is being offered at. It gets one front radar, and one rear radar to give it Level 2 ADAS features on par with cars like the Kia EV6 and Ioniq 5. Drive the Seltos enough and you realise that the system has been tuned for Indian conditions, and isn’t hyperactive like the systems on many luxury cars.”
The Kia Seltos' ADAS safety ensemble begins with forward collision warning and forward collision avoidance assist, a dynamic duo that steps in when driver attention wanes, particularly on long, monotonous highway journeys—a common scenario in India. Forward collision warning acts as a vigilant co-pilot, sending out alerts as soon as the vehicle's proximity to another vehicle becomes dangerous. The Seltos, on the other hand, does more than just issue warnings. When warnings alone are insufficient, it seamlessly engages the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, transforming into a guardian angel in situations as startling as a Hollywood horror movie full of jump scares.
Aside from immediate threats, the Seltos addresses the issue of highway hypnosis, also known as white line fever, on long highways where drivers frequently travel long distances with no conscious recollection. When the vehicle veers out of its lane, lane departure warning and lane keep assist activate, alerting the driver with subtle vibrations to the steering and chimes. Lane keep assist takes proactive action, ensuring the SUV remains firmly within its designated path. This is crucial in a country where lengthy highways and the risk of road hypnosis are ever-present, offering a vital safety net to help drivers maintain focus during extended journeys.
Smart cruise control with stop-and-go and leading vehicle departure alert features aid traffic and highways in India. These features improve highway driving by allowing drivers to set their preferred speed while the system adapts to traffic flow. In a country known for its congested roads, these features reduce acceleration and braking fatigue during long highway journeys. It also enables the vehicle to stop and restart in slow-moving traffic, increasing safety and reducing the risk of rear-end collisions. When the vehicle in front resumes motion after stopping, the leading vehicle departure alert alerts the driver and restarts the car based on the speed of the vehicle in front.
Furthermore, high beam assist, driver attention warning, and safe exit warning all play important roles in improving road safety on India's diverse and challenging highways. High beam assist addresses the issue of poorly lit roads by automatically adjusting headlight intensity to improve visibility while avoiding glare for oncoming traffic. Driver attention warning helps drivers maintain focus on long Indian highway drives by sending out timely alerts. In congested urban areas and tight parking spaces, Safe exit warning is critical for reducing the risk of collisions when passengers exit the vehicle by alerting them to approaching traffic or cyclists.
Blind spot collision warning and blind spot collision avoidance assist are essential in India's congested traffic, where lane changes and overtaking manoeuvres are common. These features alert the driver to vehicles in their blind spots, and collision avoidance assist actively intervenes to prevent potential collisions. This is especially useful on congested Indian highways and city streets, where these features help prevent accidents caused by blind spot errors.
These features do more than just keep you safe on the road. They add a layer of trust to the relationship with the car. Regardless of the conditions, the occupants are able to put their faith in the Seltos and its ability to get them to their destination safely.
The Seltos has always been an attractive value proposition within the segment, and this update has enhanced that even further. It offers a comprehensive suite of safety features on par with vehicles several segments above, which is an incredible value at the asking price of ₹19.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The Seltos is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of Indian roads and represent a harmonious balance of power and responsibility, ensuring that every journey is enjoyable and secure.