Kia Syros Review: If only looks didn’t matter

The Indian market has become an ocean of SUVs and crossovers in the past decade. The trend becomes even more evident when you see more and more SUVs, which are essentially high-riding hatchbacks, penetrate in the sub-4 metre space. The latest to join the list of sub-4 metre SUVs/crossovers is Kia Syros. 

Now, many would wonder why Kia has introduced another sub-4 metre SUV when it already has the Sonet up its sleeve, a strong product in this segment. Moreover, the Sonet is arguably the most premium sub-4 metre SUV on sale today and the Korean carmaker has decided to position the Syros above the Sonet, making the former an even more premium offering.

The question arises, “Is the Syros able to deliver greater premium value than Sonet, which will be its universal selling point and in which ways?”. We got an opportunity to test the Syros briefly and find out what makes this vehicle special and unique from the rest of the subcompact SUVs available and should you invest in it.

Kia Syros Review: Looks Ehh!!

Probably the only sore point on the Kia Syros are its looks. Yes, I understand design is purely a subjective matter but most of the readers will agree that the Syros isn’t very pleasing to the eyes. Yes, eventually it might grow on you but it has to be one of the least attractive vehicles from Kia. In an attempt to style in lines with the flagship EV, Kia seems to lose the plot by over compensating.

This is visible in the excessive black plastic claddings, the extremely tall profile and the weird looking face. At first glance, it feels like there’s too much happening which results in a very complex design. Yes some parts do look attractive in isolation. For instance, the vertically-staked tri-LED projector headlamps with star LED DRL, L-shaped LED taillamp signature, and 17-inch crystal cut alloy wheels (top-spec trim only) do evoke a sense of premiumness.

When you consider dimensions, the Syros measures 3,995 mm long, and 1,805 mm wide along with a 2,550 mm wheelbase which are comparable with segment rivals. However, at 1,680 mm, the Syros is easily one of the tallest in the segment, falling marginally short of the Maruti Brezza which is 1,685mm tall.

Kia Syros Review: Spacious Cabin

This is where the Syros starts to pull out the right cards. It is a very spacious and practical cabin to say the least and Kia has laid special emphasis on the rear seats. With class-leading headroom, legroom, and shoulder room, there is no dearth of space inside the Syros’ cabin. The seats are very comfortable with adequate underthigh support for the rear-seat occupants.

The sense of space is amplified by light-coloured interiors and the very large greenhouse.There is more than enough space to keep one’s knick knacks in the front compartment and an adjustable boot space up to 465 litres (with the back seat up) ensures enough room for luggage for a small family trip. The only bug which Kia could address in the future is the addition of some soft touch materials on the dashboard and door trims to take the premium appeal a notch higher. 

Kia Syros Review: Loaded with tech

Practicality of the Syros’ cabin is complemented by a very rich equipment brimming with features. There is nothing left for Kia to pack the Syros with. Name a feature and the Syros has it. From a panoramic sunroof to an 8-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system, everything is well put together. The 12.3-inch infotainment system is sleek and intuitive while the digital instrumentation is very crisp and legible.

On top of this, there are plenty of segment-leading features such as front and rear ventilated seats, which we have discussed at length in a separate story. The number of feel-good features make sure you’re pampered enough whether you’re the driver or being chauffeured around. And it isn’t just comfort features but the safety package comprising six airbags as standard, Level 2 ADAS, 360-degree parking camera, hill start assist, and tyre pressure monitoring system that ensure the safety of occupants.

The Level 2 ADAS isn’t just a piece of decoration but actually works very efficiently without being too intrusive, be it lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, etc. make your driving boring. 

Kia Syros Review: Driving Experience

There was an acute sense of familiarity driving the Kia Syros. Of course, it shares the same DNA with the Sonet along with other Kia and Hyundai models. It comes with two very familiar engine options: a 1.0-litre turbo GDI petrol unit and a 1.5-litre CRDi diesel mill. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard along with a 7-speed DCT automatic with the petrol and a 6-speed torque converter automatic with the diesel unit.

We drove the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol with the DCT gearbox and the impressions are on expected lines. A small yet punchy powertrain which is eager to be revved hard but one that gets growly once you go past the 4000 rpm mark. Over the time, improvements have been made on the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox making gear shifts smoother and the power delivery more linear. 

The transmission is also able to mask the turbolag between 1500 and 2000 rpm quite efficiently, thus improving the drivability. Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel add a sense of involvement when the driver intends to push the car hard. There are three drive modes on offer: Eco, Normal, Sport. Our city driving was restricted to the Normal mode but as soon as we hit the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, we switched to the Sport mode and we could feel the difference instantly. Triple digit speeds beyond the legal limit are reached in a breeze but something that we don’t recommend.

During our sprint, the 1.0L turbo petrol powertrain returned an indicated fuel economy of 15 kmpl when in Normal mode which dropped by 3-4 kmpl when we switched to Sport mode. The NVH levels of the cabin are decent but the engine groans quite a lot at the top end and some of it trickles inside.

Now, coming to the ride and handling, with emphasis on comfort Kia has ensured the ride is on the softer side, yet not too soft that it feels lofty. Any undulations we came across in the otherwise paved tarmacs were gobbled up with utmost ease. At the same time, Kia has found the perfect balance where the chassis is sprung in a perfect manner where the stability isn’t compromised and body roll is minimal. 

Surely, we need more time and a variety of terrains to test the Syros to its full potential. Speaking of which, there are three Terrain modes: Sand, Snow, and Mud which modulate the torque to the wheels with the levels of traction available. Obviously, we weren’t able to test any of these during the first drive.

Kia Syros Review: Verdict

For a conclusive verdict, we always take price into consideration but Kia hasn’t revealed the prices of Syros yet. That is expected to happen sometime in the first week of February but bookings are already underway. However, given that it will be  positioned above the Sonet and no 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine on offer, we expect the Syros to set rolling at a starting price of around Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom).

At this price, it will be the most premium sub-4 metre SUV in the market. That said, it packs all the goodies that are expected to justify the price tag to a large extent. If only, Kia had worked around a different design and not try to rip off its flagship offering, the Syros would have been a no-brainer for the comfort, performance and overall package that it offers.