Kia Syros has been making waves for all the right reasons. Ever since its debut two months ago, the SUV reported 15,986 units. Adding another feather to the Syros’ cap, it became the first made-in-India Kia vehicle to earn a 5-star safety rating under the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP). We decided to decode out what makes the Syros a hot-selling vehicle as we took it out for a spin for our daily commute and whether the diesel automatic is a fuel guzzler or a fuel sipper.
Kia Syros: Real Fuel Economy
The Syros is made to tackle the demanding urban jungle and we put it to the test in the city with the AC cranked up. To our surprise, the Syros behaved like a guest attending a tea party and sipping politely while returning 13 kmpl from its 45-litre tank. The 114 bhp powertrain squeezed out every drop of diesel by keeping a strict check on the rpm needle staying below 2000 rpm. Officially, the company claims that the Syros returns 17.65 kmpl in the city and 20.75 kmpl on the highway, we managed to reach 17 kmpl with our limited highway driving. Â
Kia Syros: Driving Experience
Mid-April has arrived and the temperature is hovering around 40 degrees Celcius. Yes, summer has officially arrived and as we shield ourselves with sunscreen, We thought this was the perfect time to ease the Syros into the Indian summer and find out how fuel-efficient it is or not.
The Syros diesel automatic, which is mated to Kia’s go-to 1.5-litre powertrain, which is available in the Sonet, Carens and Seltos. Mated to a 6-speed automatic torque converter, the short gear ratios offer plenty of initial acceleration that is a great help while tackling stop-start traffic. Our daily commute is around 80 km, stretching longer thanks to the crawling rush hour madness. With people cutting lanes and testing our patience, the Syros did manage to keep the inner peace within us. Of course, there were moments when we wanted to lash out as we were struggling like Master Shifu in Kung Fu Panda, but the Syros donned the hat of the wise Oogway and kept us calm. To make driving more convenient, slot the SUV in D and it glides forward without stepping on the accelerator.
The powertrain offers a strong torque pull in the low and mid-range but tends to taper off at the top end. If you have an aggressive driving style then the diesel starts to wail especially when the needle goes past 3500 rpm. The culprit here is the lack of insulation under the bonnet.
The Syros easily weaves through traffic effortlessly with a light steering wheel even though it does not offer the same feedback as the Sonet. To spice things up, it gets three driving modes — Eco, Normal and Sport along with three terrain options — Snow, Mud and Sand. In Sport, the engine is more responsive and the steering wheel’s weight is heavier offering an engaging feel. To make it more dynamic and involving drive, one can also switch to paddle shifters.
Kia Syros: Final Word
The Syros diesel automatic is available in two variants—the HTX Plus priced at Rs 17 lakh and the XTX Plus (O) at Rs 17.80 lakh, ex-showroom. Designed for effortless driving, it delivers impressive mileage, making it a practical and value-for-money option in its segment. While the diesel engine could have been refined or have additional bonnet insulation for reduced noise, the Syros is a tough act to follow for its competitors.Â
