The Kia Syros has emerged as a strong contender in the competitive crossover segment, offering a blend of modern boxy design, practicality, and performance. In this comprehensive review, we’ll break down the Syros into key sections: Exteriors, Interior, Comfort and Features, Powertrain, Drive Review (including ride, handling, and braking), USP, and Verdict. Whether you’re a city commuter or a highway cruiser, this review will help you understand what makes the Syros stand out.
Exteriors: Bold and Contemporary Design
Front
The front of the Kia Syros exudes confidence with its bold and boxy design, which somewhat resembles the WagonR but with a more premium and modern touch. The front bumber houses almost nothing and it is flanked by sleek LED headlights placed at the extreme corners also housing the headlamp units. While this design enhances the car’s wide stance, it may make the headlights prone to scratches. To counter this, Kia has equipped the Syros with 6 proximity sensors at both the front and rear, ensuring better protection against unwanted damages. The car also boasts a good approach angle, making it capable of handling poor roads with ease.
Side
The side profile of the Syros is highlighted by large window glasses and large cladding on the doors, giving it a rugged yet premium look. The flush door handles add a touch of sophistication and are not accessible when the car is locked. The overall design is practical and functional, with a focus on maximizing interior space.
Rear
The rear design is clean and contemporary, with L-shaped tail lights fitted in two parts. The upper portion features long bars, while the lower section houses the brake lights and indicators. The tail door is completely flat and perpendicular, adding to the car’s boxy and utilitarian appeal. The rear bumper also features a skid plate design, enhancing its sporty character.
Interior: Spacious and Well-Appointed
Step inside the Kia Syros, and you’re greeted by a well-designed and spacious cabin. The dashboard is all-new and very well-designed, featuring high-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces that elevate the premium feel. The floating touchscreen infotainment system (not too much floating though) takes center stage, offering seamless connectivity and ease of use.
Space and Comfort
The Syros is a very practical car, offering excellent space for tall people so much so that it feels like larger than Seltos. Even after setting front seats at full backward postion the rear passenger space enough to sit comfortably. Both the front and rear seats provide ample room, with the rear seats featuring sliding and reclining adjustments for added comfort. Surprisingly, even the rear seats get seat ventilation, a feature usually reserved for higher-end cars. The driver’s seat height adjustment is manual, which is a slight letdown in an otherwise feature-packed cabin. The steering wheel is chunky and good to hold, and it even includes a drive mode selector switch for added convenience.
Visibility
The Syros offers good all-around visibility, thanks to its thin A-pillar and quarter glass that reduces blind spots. The large windows and upright design further enhance visibility, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
Interior Options
The interior is available in as many as five color options, allowing buyers to personalize their cabin according to their preferences.
Comfort and Features: Packed with Convenience and Technology
The Kia Syros is loaded with features that enhance comfort and convenience. Key highlights include:
- Infotainment System: A 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. The system also supports OTA updates, even for the ECU, ensuring the car stays up-to-date with the latest software.
- Climate Control: Automatic climate control with rear AC vents for optimal comfort. The car also gets an air purifier, adding to the cabin’s comfort.
- Sunroof: A panoramic sunroof (on higher variants) that adds to the airy feel of the cabin.
- Safety Features: Level-2 ADAS, Six airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera.
- Music System: The music sound quality is very good, making every drive enjoyable.
Powertrain: Efficient and Refined
The Kia Syros is available with both petrol and diesel engine options, paired with either a manual or automatic transmission.
Petrol Engine
The Syros is powered by a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 120 PS of power and 172 Nm of torque. It comes paired with both 6-speed Manual Transmission and a 7-Speed DCT. While the engine is punchy and refined, it does exhibit some vibration due to its 3-cylinder nature. At low speeds, there’s a bit of turbo lag, but as the speed picks up, the car becomes very punchy and responsive.
Diesel Engine
The 1.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine produces 115 PS of power and 250 Nm of torque which is again paired with both automatic (6-speed Torque Converter) and Manual(6- speed) Transmission options. This engine is torquier and performs better than the Seltos and Creta (which share the same engine) due to the Syros’ lower weight. It’s an excellent choice for those who prioritize fuel efficiency and strong mid-range performance.
Drive Review: Ride, Handling, and Braking
Ride Comfort
The Syros offers a very well-balanced suspension—neither too soft nor too stiff. The top variants (HTX+ & HTX+ (O)) come with 17-inch alloy wheels and 215/55 section tyres, resulting in a slightly stiffer low-speed ride. You’ll feel the road surface and bumps, but the ride is never harsh. At high speeds, the suspension remains compliant, absorbing most road imperfections with ease.
The mid and lower variants, with their 16-inch and 15-inch wheels and taller tyres, provide a cushier ride, making them more comfortable for city driving. The spare wheel is a 15-inch steel wheel with a 195 section tyre, which is a bit of a letdown for a car in this segment.
Handling and Dynamics
The Syros impresses with its straight-line stability and composed handling. It remains steady over bumps, road joints, and undulations, even at higher speeds. The body roll is well-controlled for a taller car, and it changes direction confidently without any unnerving incidents.
Steering
The Electric Power Steering (EPS) is very light at low speeds, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. On the highway, it feels stable and reasonably direct, with no nervousness. The Sport mode adds more weight to the steering, though the difference between the three driving modes (Eco, Normal, and Sport) is not very large.
Braking
The Syros comes with disc brakes on all four wheels (on AT variants), delivering strong and reliable braking performance. However, the brake bite is very sharp, requiring a gentle touch for gradual deceleration.
USP: What Sets the Kia Syros Apart?
The Kia Syros stands out in its segment thanks to its bold and boxy design, feature-rich interior, and balanced performance. Its straight-line stability, comfortable ride, and user-friendly features make it a practical choice for both city and highway driving. Additionally, the availability of both petrol and diesel engines, along with automatic and manual transmission options, ensures there’s a Syros for every type of driver. The car is built on an updated K1 platform, which Kia claims has been reinforced for better safety. If it scores well in BNCAP crash tests, it will further solidify its position as a no-compromise car.
Verdict: A Versatile and Practical Crossover
The Kia Syros is a well-rounded crossover that excels in design, comfort, and performance. It’s a great choice for families and individuals looking for a practical and stylish vehicle that can handle daily commutes and long drives with equal ease. While the top variants offer a slightly sportier ride, the mid and lower trims prioritize comfort, catering to a wider audience.
If priced only ₹50,000-₹60,000 higher than the Sonet, the Syros will be a very good choice. Its pricing will be a deciding factor in its success. Overall, the Syros is a good driving, feature-packed, and practical crossover that ticks almost all the right boxes.
Watch our full Drive Review here:
Highlights: Bold and boxy design, spacious interior, feature-packed, balanced ride and handling, torquey diesel engine.
Consider If: You want a stylish, practical, and versatile crossover for everyday use with no compromises.
