Kia Seltos 2026 Key Features It Still Misses (And Why They Matter)

The Kia Seltos 2026 is one of the best-equipped compact SUVs in India. It receives a fresh design, increased cabin space, a three-screen setup, Level 2 ADAS, and a host of petrol and diesel engine options. On paper, it remains one of the best all-rounders in the segment.

That being said, in a segment where competitors are quickly integrating high-end as well as comfort-oriented features, there are a couple of things that are missing from the latest Seltos that are worth mentioning. These are not make-or-break, but could have made an already fantastic product even better:

No Powered Co-Driver Seat

The Seltos 2026 provides an electrically adjustable driver's seat with a memory function, which is available on top trims, alongside a welcome function, but the front passenger seat is adjustable only on the top trims. In a segment where the likes of the Hyundai Creta, MG Astor, Volkswagen Taigun and even a couple of new models are set to provide powered co-driver seats, this is a step back.

The presence of a powered passenger seat would have been a great improvement with regard to comfort during long journeys, particularly for families that have individuals occupying the front seats, taking turns to change the sitting arrangement. 

Powered Tailgate Still Missing

The Kia Seltos 2026 also lacks a power-operated tailgate, even for the higher variants, such as GTX and X-Line. It is a useful function that has been introduced in some SUVs, especially when targeting urban consumers.

A hands-free or powered tailgate would have been highly useful in loading travel bags, particularly in compact parking spaces or when handling bulky bags. It's competition like Victoris and even Sierra have it on offer.

No Rear Ventilated Seats

Front ventillated seats are available on certain models of the Seltos 2026, but rear ventilation is not offered. In this segment, the competition is slowly closing in, particularly on models that emphasise rear seat comfort.

The absence of this feature, which is akin to a high-end treatment, especially when it is already offered in the Kia Syros which sits one segment below.

No Knee Airbag

The safety aspects have been improved substantially in the Seltos 2026, with six airbags available in the lineup, a robust structure, and Level 2 of ADAS on top variants. The car lacks support for the driver’s knee airbag, which is now being introduced in a couple of the latest SUV offerings.

Although six airbags are adequate from a safety perspective, a knee airbag would have been an added advantage when it came to safeguarding the lower part of the body in a frontal collision, making a safety-oriented segment even more safety-conscious.

A Better Audio System

The Seltos 2026 gets an 8-speaker sound system from Bose, which provides decent clarity and tuning to most people. But with competitors now providing more number of speakers along with a subwoofer, this sound system cannot be called segment-leading anymore.

It would have been ideal to have a more potent sound system with extra speakers or an improved surround sound tuning, especially for individuals who value entertainment in a car.

No Hybrid Powertrain Option

The most noticeable thing that is missing from the Seltos lineup in 2026 is that there is no hybrid powertrain available. Although Kia has a host of petrol and diesel engines available, including a punchy 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine as well as a fuel-efficient diesel engine, the mild-hybrid powertrain is not available, let alone a strong hybrid.

Also, with competition such as Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Maruti Suzuki Victoris launching very competent hybrids with a fuel efficiency of close to 28 kmpl, a hybrid Seltos would have been a huge pull, especially among customers who are urban and are concerned with running costs. 

ZigSays…

Kia Seltos 2026 is one of the most well-rounded offerings in the compact SUV segment, with exciting powertrains, top-notch safety, a tech-laden dashboard, and multiple trims available. Yet, with rivals churning out more subtle improvements for comfort, convenience, and efficiency, these are the areas that Kia could have improved.

Would these missing features make a difference in your buying decision, or would the Seltos 2026 still be your number one choice? Let us know in the comments.