Kia Syros Test Drive Review: The Next Big Thing

Kia is banking big on SUVs. It clearly wants to make merry while the sun shines. The Syros(pronounced CEE-ROS) is the third SUV in the companies portfolio. It also promises to be the best equipped, yes even better than the bigger Seltos. In fact the features on this car come close to the EV9 MPV that Kia sells in limited numbers. But more on that later.

At first instance the Syros looks and feels completely outlandish in terms of design. It looks more like a concept car than full production model. But when on the road, it turns heads. Passersby will ask you if it is an EV or ICE? Most will give you a thumbs up though.

Kia says that this is the next-gen design language that all new Kia models going forward will offer.

The front gets a flat bonnet typical of most SUV designs. The headlamp units are all vertically stacked. The DRL cluster runs along the bonnet line in a thin LED strip design. The grille is very small and placed on the lower part of the bumper. The side profile is a very boxy shape. The top end HTX+(O) variant gets 17-inch wheels while the lower models get 16-inch wheels.

The back end gets lamps mounted on the pillars as well giving it a distinct look. Overall, you won’t mistake this car for any other on the road. The looks are so striking and bold.

The Syros is loaded with tech and features. The big deals include a massive 30-inch cluster which houses three screens. This includes infotainment clusters along with a separate touch screen for the HVAC and the drivers display. The other big highlight is the panoramic sunroof, which is massive. The Harman/Kardon sound system is standard too as are six airbags. ADAS features include adaptive cruise control with auto stop and go.

Talking about the seats, both front and rear seats are ventilated, a first in this segment. Along with this the rear seats back rest angle can also be altered and the seat base slides both front and back. You also get integrated sun blinds in the rear, a novelty feature found in cars thrice the price.

The features list might be extremely appealing but the quality of the cabin will simply blow away your mind. This cabin is easily the best in the segment and better than even the Seltos and Sonet in terms of outright quality.

The boot starts from 390-litres and can be extended after you move the rear seats around. This makes it best in class again.

While the Syros may look like an EV from the outside, it runs on both diesel and petrol. The diesel is a 1.5-litre unit that has been on duty for a while on other cars. This engine is not only efficient but also offers good refinement. The 1-litre turbo is available along with an automatic gearbox. The turbo offers a crisp power response and top end grunt is good.

Though the engines are good and the Syros is good to drive, it’s not as engaging to drive as the Sonet compact SUV. If you love driving then the Sonet is still the car to buy ahead of the Syros.

The Syros steering is accurate and light for the most part but again you will miss the direct feeling that the Sonet has to offer.

The suspension set up has been softened up compared to the Sonet. The car rides well, especially with 17-inch wheels. Most bumps and potholes are taken care of. It is only the sharp crevices that filter into the cabin. Body roll is present too and more pronounced than the Sonet. Overall, the car is made for comfort seekers rather than outright thrill seekers and that’s no bad thing.

Prices haven’t been announced as yet but we believe them to be around Rs 1.25 lakh more than the Sonet vis-a-vis the model lineup. The Syros offers class leading features and comfort along with best in class space in the second row.

It is hard to build a case against the Syros. Expect a waiting period on this one.