The CX-5 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Seltos doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.
To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the Seltos.
The CX-5 Turbo Signature has a standard 360° Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Seltos only offers a rear monitor.
The CX-5 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Seltos EX/Nightfall/SX offers a blind spot warning system.
To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-5 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Seltos EX/Nightfall/SX has a rear cross-path warning system.
Both the CX-5 and the Seltos have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available driver alert monitors.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Kia Seltos:
|
CX-5 |
Seltos |
OVERALL STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
|
Driver |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
82 |
129 |
Neck Injury Risk |
23% |
24% |
Leg Forces (l/r) |
160/307 lbs. |
460/429 lbs. |
|
Passenger |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
HIC |
156 |
405 |
Chest Compression |
.5 inches |
.6 inches |
Neck Injury Risk |
37% |
41% |
Neck Compression |
86 lbs. |
171 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Kia Seltos:
|
CX-5 |
Seltos |
|
Front Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
81 |
109 |
Chest Movement |
.5 inches |
1.2 inches |
Abdominal Force |
126 lbs. |
170 lbs. |
Hip Force |
189 lbs. |
428 lbs. |
|
Rear Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
208 |
234 |
Spine Acceleration |
65 G’s |
70 G’s |
Hip Force |
524 lbs. |
754 lbs. |
|
Into Pole |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Max Damage Depth |
13 inches |
13 inches |
Spine Acceleration |
32 G’s |
33 G’s |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 76 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Seltos is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2021.