New Kia Seltos: Missing features offered by rivals

The midsize SUV segment has seen quite a buzz in the last part of 2025, mainly because of the launch of the Maruti Suzuki Victoris and the Tata Sierra, as well as the unveiling of the new-generation Kia Seltos. Among these, the Seltos is the most recent offering, which gets a fully revamped exterior and interior design. However, it still lacks some convenience features that are offered by its rivals. Here are the details:

A proper 3-screen setup

Technically, the new Kia Seltos features a triple-screen setup that includes a small 5-inch touchscreen for climate control settings, placed between dual 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment and instrumentation. However, the AC can also be controlled via the main infotainment screen and buttons on the dashboard, which makes the dedicated AC screen feel impractical. In comparison, the Tata Sierra gets a segment-first proper 3-screen setup with an additional 12.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger that allows for streaming content and also playing games. 

Powered co-driver’s seat

While the Seltos comes with a lot of features on the driver’s seat, including 10-way powered adjustments, ventilation and memory function, its co-driver’s seat is equipped with a ventilation function and manual adjustability. In comparison, rivals like the Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun come with a powered co-driver’s seat that makes it more convenient to find the perfect seating position.

Boss mode

The Kia Seltos does not come with an electronic boss mode on the front passenger seat, unlike its Hyundai Creta sibling, which offers it in the top-spec King variants. Notably, the Sierra also comes with such a function, but it has to be manually operated by the rear seat passengers.

Wireless phone charger for the rear passengers

Back when the Creta was updated with a new top-spec King variant, along with the aforementioned boss mode, Hyundai also equipped it with a wireless phone charger for the rear occupants. That charger is placed near the rear AC vents of the SUV. In comparison, the new Seltos comes with a wireless charging pad for the front passengers only, while the rear passengers get Type-C USB charging ports mounted on the backrest of the front seats.

Powered tailgate

Another amenity that is still fresh in the midsize SUVs is a powered tailgate with gesture controls, which is available only with the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Tata Sierra and Tata Curvv.

Puddle lamps

The Seltos also misses out on puddle lamps that are offered in the Sierra and even its Korean sibling, the Hyundai Creta. Notably, the first-generation Seltos was equipped with such lamps, which were discontinued when the SUV received its facelift in July 2023.