Kia Seltos 2026: What It Gets Right, and Where It Could Have Done Better

The Kia Seltos is, without any doubt, among the most sought-after compact SUV offerings. Right from when it hit the market in 2019, the Seltos managed to carve out its own niche with its premium design, cutting-edge features, a long powertrain lineup, and class-leading safety features. However, with this latest update, it has some trade-offs as well. 

We check out the pros and cons after driving the Seltos 2026:

Exterior: Presence and Design

Pros:

The Seltos 2026 takes cues from a strong and upright SUV design, making it quite imposing on the roads. It is 4,460 mm long, 1,830 mm wide, 1,635 mm tall, and sits on a wheelbase of 2,690 mm. 

Length	4460 mm
Width	1830 mm
Height	1635 mm
Wheelbase	2690 mm

The aggressive LED lighting patterns, large grille, and 18-inch alloy wheels (in higher trims) further enhance its premium and contemporary looks.

Cons:

Even though the design language is radical in nature, it might not suit everyone. Aggressive design lines and cues may not particularly appeal to those who like a clutter-free or elegant design language. Some may even argue that the design of the Seltos 2026 is too busy in comparison to its predecessor. 

Interior & Cabin Experience

Pros:

Inside, the Seltos 2026 feels more premium and solidly constructed. The extra length, width and wheelbase help on the inside as the passengers get added space, making it comfortable for five persons. 

In fact, the boot capacity of 447 litres is useful for a weekend getaway or just day-to-day chores. This is a well-made cabin with no loose ends anywhere inside. Even additional features like panoramic sunroof, 10-way powered Drivers seat with memory function and 64 colour ambient lights do make a big difference here. 

Cons:

While there are no complaints in terms of quality and fit, we are not happy with the finish. They have a smooth finish and can be easily scratched. 

Tech & Features

Pros:

The Seltos further enhances its tech-first approach with the 2026 model, with the higher trims receiving the “Trinity Panoramic Display", which includes a 12.3-inch virtual instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, and a 5-inch climate control panel - forming almost a 30-inch panoramic display. 

Other notable features include an 8-speaker Bose premium audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control system, a powered driver’s seat with memory functions, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, and the Kia Connect 2.0 system, updated over-the-air. 

Cons:

Despite the long list of features, there are a few misses as well. These include a few creature comforts such as powered tailgate, rear-seat ventilation (the smaller Syros has it), and a powered co-driver seat with boss mode. 

Powertrain & Driving Experience

Pros:

Kia also still offers one of the most diverse range of engine options in this segment. It provides three options: 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol for daily commutes, 1.5-litre turbo petrol for those seeking performance, and 1.5-litre diesel engines for long journeys. It also comes with a manual transmission, iMT, IVT, torque converter automatic transmission, and a 7-speed  dual-clutch transmission depending on the engine you pick. 

Safety

Pros:

Safety is also a strong suit for the Seltos 2026. In all its variants, the Seltos 2026 is equipped with six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, ISOFIX child seat mounts, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

But in higher variants, it also gets ADAS such as forward collision avoidance, lane keep and follow assist, blind spot collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera with a blind view monitor, making it one of the best-equipped compact SUVs available in this segment. 

ZigSays…

The Kia Seltos 2026 is one of the most complete compact SUVs that you can purchase. While its design might not suit everyone, there is no doubt that its spacious interior, long list of features and powertrain options still makes it an excellent choice.

Do you agree? Let us know in the comments.