Kia Syros Review India 2025: Big Comfort, Smart Tech, Compact SUV Winner

Kia Syros is a fresh compact SUV for India. It looks bold. It feels premium. It focuses on space and comfort. It also brings features that we usually see in bigger SUVs. If you want a city-friendly SUV with family-first comfort, the Syros should be on your shortlist.

Below is a detailed, easy-to-read review for Indian buyers. I keep sentences short and simple. I cover design, space, features, safety, engines, mileage, variants, pros and cons, and ownership tips. I also add a quick spec table and FAQs.

Quick Specs (India)

What is the Kia Syros?

Kia Syros is a sub-4-metre SUV. It sits in the hot compact SUV segment. Think of rivals like Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Maruti Brezza, Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor, and Mahindra XUV300. Kia already sells the Sonet. The Syros is different. It is more space-oriented. It feels larger inside. It also packs a few segment-first features. That is the main pitch.

Price starts from around ₹9.50 lakh ex-showroom. Top variants go much higher. But they also add a lot of kit.

Design and Road Presence

The design is bold and boxy. The stance is upright. The bonnet is flat. The shoulder line is high. The sides have thick cladding. Up front, you see the new “Digital Tiger Face.” The headlights sit low and outboard. The “Starmap” LED DRLs sit on top and double as turn signals. It looks modern. Some will love it. Some may find it polarising. In person, it has presence.

At the rear, the tail-lamps get a starmap signature too. The bumper is chunky. Roof rails look purposeful. Overall, the Syros looks like a mini-Seltos with edgier detailing. Paint options include popular shades like Glacier White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Intense Red, and more. It looks crisp in Frost Blue as well.

Wheel options run up to 17-inch crystal-cut alloys on higher trims. Ground clearance is around 189–190 mm (unladen). This helps with speed breakers and bad roads.

Cabin and Comfort: The Big USP

Step inside and you notice space. This is where Syros shines. The wheelbase is 2,550 mm. The cabin feels airy. The roof is tall. The seats are supportive.

Rear seat comfort is class-leading. The second row can slide and recline. This is rare in this segment. It lets you choose legroom or boot space. There are rear sunshade curtains for the windows. There are rear AC vents. And here is the headline feature: rear seat ventilation for the seat base on higher trims. In hot Indian summers, this is a boon. Cooling is subtle but helpful in traffic.

Front seats can be ventilated too (variant-dependent). The rear bench is wide enough for two adults to lounge. Three abreast is okay for shorter trips. In daily city use, the rear seat experience is simply best-in-segment.

Also Read Honda Amaze 2025 Review – Price, Mileage, Safety Rating, Features & Offers in India

Tech and Features

The dashboard is modern and minimal. The display area looks premium. Kia calls it the Trinity Panoramic Display. You get a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital driver display on top trims. There is also a small 5-inch touch panel for climate controls on the fully loaded variant. It feels high-tech.

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported. Sound quality is strong with the Harman Kardon 8-speaker system on higher trims. Ambient lighting with 64 colours lifts the mood at night. You also get a smart air purifier with AQI display. There is a wireless charger, USB-C ports front and rear, and Kia Connect 2.0 connected-car features with OTA updates.

Another highlight is the dual-pane panoramic sunroof on top trims. It brings in a lot of light. Some buyers prefer a smaller sunroof for heat management. But with proper sunblinds and AC, it is still a feel-good feature.

The Syros also offers Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold (with the 1.0 turbo-petrol DCT). You also get a 360-degree camera on the higher trims. Driving in tight lanes becomes easy.

Safety and ADAS

Safety kit is strong. Six airbags are standard across the range. You also get ESC, VSM, hill-start assist, TPMS, all-seat belt reminders, and front and rear parking sensors. The Syros has a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. That is reassuring for families.

ADAS Level 2 is available as a pack on the top trim. It adds features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, forward collision avoidance, and more. The system is camera- and radar-based. It is meant to assist, not replace the driver. Use it with care on Indian roads.

Engines, Gearboxes, and Real-World Feel

You get two engines:

1. 1.0-litre Turbo-Petrol (G1.0 T-GDi)
   Power: ~120 PS. Torque: ~172 Nm.
   Gearbox options: 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT.
   This motor feels lively in the city. Turbo boost comes early. Overtakes are easy. The DCT offers quick shifts. It is smooth in light throttle. In stop-go traffic, use gentle inputs for best results. On the highway, it cruises at 100 km/h at low revs. Cabin noise rises if you push past 2,200–2,500 rpm. That is common in small turbo-petrols.
2. 1.5-litre Diesel (D1.5 CRDi VGT)
   Power: ~116 PS. Torque: ~250 Nm.
   Gearbox options: 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic.
   This is the relaxed mile-muncher. Torque is strong from low revs. The AT is smooth and reliable. Highway economy is excellent. Diesel clatter is well controlled at idle. It does get more vocal when revved, but performance stays confident.

Fuel Efficiency (ARAI):
Petrol: ~17.7–18.2 km/l (varies by gearbox)
Diesel: ~17.6–20.8 km/l (varies by gearbox)
Real-world mileage depends on traffic and driving style. Expect low-teens in dense city for petrol DCT. Diesel AT can return mid-teens in mixed use and even higher on open highways with gentle cruising.

Ride quality is balanced. Kia has tuned the suspension on the firmer side to control body roll, especially with that big sunroof. Sharp potholes are felt, but the overall ride stays composed. Steering is light in the city and gains weight at speed. Traction modes (Snow, Sand, Mud) tweak the stability and traction control for loose surfaces. It is front-wheel drive only, but grip is predictable.

Brakes are strong and confidence-inspiring. The 360-camera and sensors help in parking. Visibility is decent. The thick C-pillars need a bit of attention while reversing, but the camera solves it.

Practicality: Boot, Storage, and Small Details

Boot space depends on variant and seat position. Base and mid variants list 390 litres. Premium variants can offer up to 465 litres with the sliding rear bench. That is a big number for this class. You can fold the 60:40 split rear seats for more cargo. The floor is fairly flat. The loading lip is a little high due to SUV stance, but manageable.

Door pockets take large bottles. The centre console has useful cubbies. There are four USB-C ports in total (variant-dependent). The glovebox is adequate. Fit and finish are consistent. Materials feel durable for family use.

Variants and Value

Typical variant walk is HTK, HTK(O), HTK+, HTX, HTX+, and HTX+(O). The sweet spot for many buyers will be HTX or HTX+. These add the panoramic sunroof, the premium display setup, the nicer audio, and the key comfort features. If you want ADAS, check the top trim with the optional pack. Petrol-DCT is great for city commuters. Diesel-AT suits highway users and higher annual mileage.

On price, Syros sits at the premium end of compact SUVs when loaded. But the cabin experience and features make a strong case. If you do not need the panoramic sunroof or ADAS, a mid variant gives you most of the comfort at a more sensible price.

Pros and Cons (Quick Look)

What we liked

• Best-in-segment rear seat comfort. Slide and recline is gold.
• Rear seat ventilation for the seat base on higher trims.
• Dual-pane panoramic sunroof brings a premium feel.
• Strong safety package with 6 airbags standard and 5-star BNCAP.
• Diesel-AT is smooth and efficient.
• Modern tech: twin 12.3-inch displays, connected car, OTA, 360-camera.

What could be better

• Styling may be polarising for some.
• Cabin noise rises when engines are pushed hard.
• Top variants get expensive.
• DCT needs a smooth right foot in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Should You Buy the Kia Syros?

If rear seat comfort is your top priority, say yes. No other compact SUV mixes space, sliding-reclining rear seats, and rear seat ventilation like this. If you do long highway runs, the diesel-AT is a great choice. If you want city convenience and performance, the petrol-DCT will make you smile.

If you prefer a traditional design and a lower price, look at mid variants or rivals. But for a family-first, feature-rich compact SUV with a big-car feel inside, the Syros is one of the best picks in India right now.

Buying Tips for Indian Conditions

• City users: Pick the 1.0-turbo with DCT. Go for HTX or HTX+ for the best comfort and tech.
• Highway and high running: Diesel-AT is worth the extra money. It is smooth, efficient, and relaxed.
• Heat management: Use the strong AC and sunblinds. Rear seat ventilation helps, but it cools the base, not the backrest.
• Tyre upgrade: If you drive mostly on highways, consider a high-quality tyre in the same size after delivery for better ride and braking feel.
• ADAS learning curve: Try features on empty roads first. Understand alerts and how lane keeping behaves near unmarked Indian lanes.

FAQs: Kia Syros India

Verdict: Why the Kia Syros Makes Sense

The Kia Syros brings a new focus to compact SUVs in India. Space and comfort take centre stage. The sliding-reclining rear seat and rear seat ventilation make it family-friendly. The tech pack is rich. Safety is robust. Diesel-AT is a gem for long drives. Petrol-DCT is zippy in the city.

If you want a compact SUV with a big-car feel inside, the Syros is one of the best options today. It is not the cheapest. It is not the flashiest driver’s car. But it is thoughtfully designed for Indian families. For many buyers, that is exactly the point.

Author- Ayush