Syros is a sub-4m SUV which is positioned between the Sonet and Seltos SUVs from Kia
I recently spent around 10 days with the Kia Syros, which will inform my review of this unique proposition. Even though the Syros is positioned between the Sonet and Seltos, there are enough distinctions to lend it an individual personality. It is certainly a more feature-laden product in addition to being more practical in comparison to the Sonet. In any case, here are my observations regarding the Syros after staying and driving it for 10 days.
Kia Syros Review
Over the last few days, the one thing which I noticed is that this SUV made heads turn everywhere I went. Its distinct silhouette and road appearance is definitely unlike any other product in this segment. That is because its design is inspired by the global design language of Kia on cars like the EV9. The fascia is a perfect representation of that. On the sides, the upright stance and boxy silhouette give minor Land Rover Defender vibes. Moreover, it gets squarish wheel arches, side body cladding and dual-tone aero alloy wheels. Finally, the tail end bears sleek LED taillamps mounted on the C-pillars and a sporty bumper with a rugged skid plate.
On the inside, the cabin is full of ultra-modern tech, convenience, connectivity and safety amenities. In fact, that is the highlight of the cabin. Additionally, I found the space to be generous, especially at the rear where the occupants can slide the seat forward and backwards. That makes the boot compartment variable, as per the needs. The main highlights include:
- 30-inch Trinity Panoramic Display Panel including:
- 12.3-inch HD Display Instrument Cluster
- 12.3-inch HD Touchscreen Navigation Cockpit
- 5-inch Touchscreen – Fully Automatic Air Conditioner Control
- Harman Kardon Premium 8 Speakers Sound System
- Panoramic Sunroof
- 64-Colour Ambient Mood Lighting
- 2nd-row Seat Ventilation with Slide and Recline (Segment-first)
- Dual Tone Grey Leatherette Seats
- 4-Way Powered Driver Seat
- Front and Rear Ventilated Seats
- Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold
- Smartphone Wireless Charger
- Smart Pure Air Purifier with AQI Display
- Auto Antiglare Rear View Mirror with Kia Connect Controls
- Smart Dashcam with Dual Camera
- Kia Connect with ‘Hey Kia’ Command
- Drive Modes – Eco, Normal and Sport
- Traction Control Modes – Sand, Mud and Snow
- Paddle Shifters
- 360-Degree Camera with Blind View Monitor in Cluster
- Rear Sun Shade Curtain
- Kia Connect 2.0
- Over-the-Air (OTA) Software Updates with Automatic Updating of 22 Controller (Segment-first)
- Hindi, English and Bengali VR Commands
- Valet Mode
- Lounge-inspired Interior Theme
- Best-in-Segment Head Room, Shoulder Room and Leg Room
- Find My Car with Surround View Monitor
- Stolen Vehicle Notification
- Remote Window Control
- 5-star Bharat NCAP Rating
- Level 2 ADAS
Specs and Driving Impressions
The Kia Syros possesses two powertrain alternatives – a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol and a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel mill, which outputs 120 PS / 172 Nm and 116 PS / 250 Nm of maximum power and torque, respectively. There are options to choose from a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT automatic with the petrol, and a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission with the diesel. In terms of driving, the SUV remains stable and comfortable up to around 80 km/h. However, beyond that, its tall boy stance induces a slight body roll, which can be a bit tricky for those occupants who have motion sickness. Apart from that, the ride quality is great and there is ample performance on offer in both versions. Overall, this has to be an immensely attractive package when it comes to features, price, convenience and performance.
| Specs | Kia Syros |
| Engine | 1.0L Turbo Petrol / 1.5L Turbo Diesel |
| Power | 120 PS / 116 PS |
| Torque | 172 Nm / 250 Nm |
| Transmission | 6MT & 7DCT / 6MT & 6AT |
| Boot Space | 465L (w/ rear seat pushed forward) |
Also Read: New Kia Syros vs Sonet – Which Kia Offers What?
