Kia Syros Review: The Most Comfortable Subcompact SUV?

So why does Kia need another subcompact SUV? Well, the Sonet has been the best-selling model for the brand in 2024, so why not try and increase the sales with another model? But Kia says this one is built for buyers who prefer more space, and features.

Kia Syros Review: Tech & Interior

Then let’s start with the interior. The Syros’ back seat is quite a comfortable place to be. No other car in the segment gives you the option of sliding and reclining the back seat, let alone rear seat ventilation, which is present in cars from a couple of segments above the base. Clearly Kia is focusing on making the Syros as comfortable a proposition as possible.

And the comfort story doesn’t end there. Even the front seats are quite comfortable. Like the back, there’s quite a lot of space up front too. Lots of nice, premium materials have been used here, not like other Kia models don’t. The design of the dashboard is quite unique too, the AC vents are in one straight line with physical controls above it and below it.

The Syros gets a triple screen layout measuring 30 inches but I’m not diving deep into the tech it has to offer. To know more about that, head to the Acko Byte YouTube channel to watch our tech check on the screens and all the other features in the Syros.

But what I am going to talk about is this steering wheel, it’s unlike any we’ve seen on a mass-market Kia. In fact, it’s the same as the EV9. A two-spoke wheel with loads of buttons and it feels quite premium too, like the rest of the interior. What I also like is the gear shifter, feels unique and nice in the hand.

The ergonomics for the Syros are quite on point. Nothing is really too far out of reach. Like I said, the seats are comfy but the steering only has tilt adjustability but not for reach. Yes, cars in this segment don’t get it, but it would have been nice to have it, would have made the ergonomics better. 

Kia Syros Review: Design

The Syros looks unique too, unlike any other subcompact SUV. The Syros is based on the reinforced K1 platform, which is shared with the Hyundai Inster EV, so could this mean the Syros will also get an electric version? Most likely. And that is also evident in how it looks.

There’s a bit of the Kia EV3 in the face, especially with this hood line. and although these LED headlamps, with Kia’s Starmap design, look good, they have a problem. They’re too in the corners and in a country like ours. It is prone to breaking sooner than other cars.

What’s also interesting is how the B-pillar is designed. Does it remind you of a certain car from a few years ago? A certain Czech SUV perhaps? The Syros is quite a boxy car, and that’s been done to have a spacious cabin. And like the problem with the headlamps, the lower taillamps too, are placed in the corners, susceptible to breakage.

Right now there are no dual-tone colours available on the Syros. You only have eight monotone colours with a new Frost Blue, that we have, debuting with the Syros. Looks really cool though (no pun intended).

Kia Syros Review: Performance

So unlike the Sonet, the Syros only gets two engine options - a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. We test both.

This turbo-petrol is the same engine that's there in the Sonet and unsurprisingly, it doesn't feel very different too. There's enough power for the city and highway, and it sounds good too. The dual-clutch too is nice but it isn't the quickest in the business. The paddle shifters are the only way to manually control the gearbox, and it behaves slightly differently in each driving mode. Shifts become progressively quicker but it's not as noticeable unless you are only concentrating on how it shifts.

Even the diesel is the same as the Sonet. Power delivery is linear and the diesel torque is confidence-inspiring while overtaking. Again the three drive modes don't make much difference in how the six-speed torque converter shifts. But it's really hard to hold a gear even if you shift manually, it just automatically shifts up as soon as you reach near the limiter.

Kia Syros Review: Ride & Handling

What differentiates the Syros from the Sonet is how it rides. Yes, it isn't as sporty as the Sonet, and it's not supposed to be either but it holds itself on the ground well. The ride is supple since it's tuned more for comfort. But it's not bouncy. There is a body roll because of that softer suspension setup compared to the Sonet.

Kia Syros Review: Safety

Kia gives you a lot of safety features as standard like six airbags, stability control, anti-lock brakes, the usual stuff. No global NCAP or Bharat NCAP scores just yet though. It also gets a more advanced ADAS suite compared to the Sonet, almost the same as the Seltos. But we have more on that in our tech check on the Acko Byte YouTube channel. 

Kia Syros Review: Price & Variants

Prices for the Syros will be out on February 1 and we expect it to be priced between 9 to 16 lakh rupees, sitting right in between the Sonet and the Seltos. There are 6 trims on the Syros, starting from the HTK and going up to the HTX+ (O). So at the moment, there’s no GT Line or X Line but it could come in the future perhaps. 

Kia Syros Review: Verdict

The Syros finds itself in a very unique position. Other brands have tried multiple products in the same segment but that brand is Maruti Suzuki. And it worked out for them but will it work for Kia? We’ll have an answer once it’s launched but you know what, there’s no denying Kia has done something different and made it work!

Photography: Apoorv Choudhary