Kia has been at the forefront of innovation in the compact SUV segment, and the launch of the Kia Syros in India marks another significant step for the brand. Officially introduced to the Indian market on February 1, 2025, the Syros quickly made headlines for its bold design, impressive features, and competitive pricing. Bookings began even before the official launch, signifying the anticipation and enthusiasm for Kia’s new sub-4-meter SUV. Positioned between the popular Sonet and the Seltos, the Syros fills a vital gap in Kia’s Indian portfolio, offering a more premium experience for compact SUV buyers seeking a plush yet practical vehicle. The Syros was unveiled globally in December 2024, with deliveries commencing in mid-February 2025.
Kia Syros – Specifications
The Kia Syros is available in multiple configurations, catering to a wide array of preferences and driving requirements. It comes with two powerful engine options. The first is a 998cc, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 118bhp and 172Nm of torque. The other is a robust 1,493cc, 4-cylinder diesel engine that delivers 114bhp and 250Nm of torque. Both engines are available with manual and automatic transmission options, including a 6-speed manual, a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic for the petrol, and a 6-speed torque converter automatic for the diesel. The vehicle measures 3,995mm in length, 1,805mm in width, and stands at 1,680mm tall, providing a substantial road presence. The wheelbase is set at 2,550mm, optimizing cabin space, while the ground clearance of 190mm ensures that the Syros can effortlessly tackle diverse Indian road conditions. Boot space stands at a generous 465 liters, providing ample room for luggage or shopping trips.
Kia Syros – Design
Kia’s “Opposites United” design philosophy is vividly evident in the Syros. Its bold, boxy silhouette stands apart in the compact SUV segment, projecting both ruggedness and urban sophistication. The front features a striking clamshell bonnet marked by the sleek new 2D Kia logo, complemented by vertically stacked LED headlights and unique Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs). The grille is split and prominent, while generous black cladding around the wheel arches and bumpers adds robustness, emphasizing the Syros’s SUV credentials. Depending on the variant, the vehicle features up to 17-inch crystal-cut alloy wheels, streamlining door handles, and customized puddle lamps that project the Kia logo. The rear design continues the futuristic motif with Star Map LED tail lamps and an upright stance. Flush-type door handles, large wraparound headlamps placed at the edges, and thick cladding reinforce both aesthetics and practicality.
Inside, the Kia Syros continues its design excellence with a dual-tone black and grey theme that feels both premium and welcoming. The “tall boy” design maximizes interior headroom, and a spacious glasshouse creates an airy feel. The panoramic sunroof, offered in higher trims, runs almost the entire length of the roof, bathing the interior in natural light and making journeys more pleasant for all occupants.
Kia Syros – Safety and Features
Safety has become an uncompromising aspect of automotive design, and the Kia Syros proudly boasts a 5-star rating under Bharat NCAP’s crash tests, exemplifying Kia’s commitment to passenger protection and safety engineering tailored to Indian road conditions. Across all variants, the Syros features six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), all-wheel disc brakes, hill-start assist, ISOFIX child seat anchors, TPMS, rear parking sensors, and seatbelt reminders for every seat.
What truly sets the Syros apart is its inclusion of Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) on select variants. This sophisticated suite brings Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system, offering segment-leading driver confidence and convenience. These proactive technologies intervene appropriately to reduce accident risk, making them invaluable for city and highway driving alike. Higher trims also benefit from rear cross-traffic avoidance, high beam assist, and an electric parking brake with auto-hold.
Kia Syros – Engine and Performance
The engine options available in the Syros are tuned for both lively urban jaunts and efficient long-distance cruising. The turbo-petrol motor, already lauded in models like the Sonet and Hyundai Venue, provides brisk acceleration and a refinement level uncommon in this segment. The peak torque—available from as low as 1,500rpm—translates to eager responsiveness in city traffic and relaxed highway cruising.
The 1.5-liter diesel, known for its tractability and frugality, delivers 250Nm of torque, ensuring strong overtaking performance even with full occupancy. Both engines comply with the latest BS VI 2.0 emission norms. Multiple drive modes, supported by the advanced drivetrain, enable drivers to select performance profiles tailored to varying road and weather conditions.
The Syros rides on a suspension set-up optimized for Indian roads, with MacPherson struts up front and a rear twist beam. Large disc brakes on all wheels ensure strong stopping power. Electric power steering is light and precise, making the car easy to maneuver in tight spaces while maintaining enough feedback at higher speeds to inspire confidence.
Kia Syros – Technology and Features
The Syros truly shines in its technology suite, positioning itself as a segment leader. The centerpiece is Kia’s stunning Trinity Panoramic Display—a trio of screens that dominate the dashboard. This includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 5-inch digital climate control display, and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. The infotainment boasts high-resolution graphics, an intuitive user interface, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Harmon/Kardon’s premium 8-speaker sound system for true audio enjoyment.
Wireless smartphone charging, multi-zone automatic climate control, ambient mood lighting with 64 color choices, and ventilated, reclining second-row seats further elevate overall cabin comfort. Remote Kia Connect 2.0 allows the driver to control features, receive telematics insights, and utilize more than 80 connected car functions via smartphone. Over-the-air (OTA) updates keep the Syros’s software and feature set fresh, removing the need for frequent dealer visits.
Convenience is further enhanced by keyless entry, push-button start/stop, all-doors power windows, auto-dimming inside mirrors, electrically folding and adjustable ORVMs, and a robust 360-degree camera system with Blind View Monitoring. Physical controls are retained for vital functions, ensuring usability and safety even while driving.
Kia Syros – Efficiency and Practicality
Practicality lies at the core of the Syros experience. The cleverly optimized tall-boy dimensions, increased wheelbase, and expanded width mean that despite its sub-4-meter length, the Syros feels substantially more spacious than most rivals. It easily seats five adults, and the rear seat—thanks to a nearly flat floor—offers excellent under-thigh support and more legroom than many larger SUVs.
Boot space of 465 liters is best-in-class and can be expanded with versatile folding rear seats, making grocery hauls and weekend getaways a breeze. Twenty-three in-cabin storage spaces and thoughtfully designed cubbies cater to the needs of a bustling modern family.
Kia Syros – Price and Availability
One of the Syros’s most attractive attributes is its aggressive pricing. At launch, the ex-showroom price started at ₹9.50 lakh for the base HTK Turbo variant and extended up to ₹17.80 lakh for the top-spec HTX Plus Opt Diesel AT. The mid and high variants are equipped with most of the segment-defining technologies and features, allowing buyers flexibility to match their preferences and budget.
Variants available include HTK, HTK (O), HTK Plus, HTX, HTX Plus, and HTX Plus (O), with up to thirteen configurations on offer. City-wise on-road prices vary due to local taxes and registration but generally range from ₹10.60 lakh to just over ₹21 lakh for the fully-loaded diesel automatic model in metros and larger cities. Delivery timelines are typically between ten days and one month, depending on stock and variant selected.
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Kia Syros – Mileage
Fuel efficiency remains a prime consideration for Indian car buyers, and the Syros does not disappoint. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol manual returns 18.2km/l, while the 7-speed DCT petrol clocks in at 17.68km/l. The 1.5-litre diesel is the segment champion, delivering up to 20.75km/l with the manual and 17.65km/l with the 6-speed automatic transmission under ARAI test conditions. These figures ensure the Syros is both enjoyable to drive and economical to keep running, even over long periods or on intercity commutes.
Kia Syros – Heritage and Evolution
The introduction of the Syros signifies the continued evolution of Kia’s India strategy. Drawing from the success of the Seltos, Sonet, and Carens, the Syros builds on a proven platform but elevates expectations through clever packaging, enhanced safety, and top-tier technology.
This new model’s heritage traces back to Kia’s global focus on bringing future-ready, highly practical vehicles to diverse markets. While rooted in the familiar strengths of the Sonet, Syros’s taller stance, expanded dimensions, and premium features reflect an evolution toward what modern Indian customers demand—more space, more luxury, and more safety for the whole family, all in a compact footprint. The Syros is also future-ready, with an EV variant rumored to be in development, signifying Kia’s commitment to electrification in the coming years.
Kia Syros – Evolution
From its initial roots as a “premium urban SUV,” the Syros embodies both evolutionary and revolutionary steps for Kia. The synergy of sporty styling, practical proportions, next-generation electronics, and strong yet frugal powertrains is a statement about the changing preferences of Indian car buyers: a demand not only for value, but also for a feature-rich, safe, and premium road experience. The segment-first introduction of Level 2 ADAS, panoramic Trinity display, and rear-seat ventilation is setting new standards for others to follow.
