Kia Syros vs Kia Seltos: Which Kia Is A Better Buy At Rs 17 Lakh?

One offers more space and tech, while the other offers you a bigger car with more comfortable ride quality. But which one’s right for you?

There was a time when the difference between a sub-4m SUV and a compact SUV was very clear as you knew exactly what you were getting for your money. But with the arrival of the Kia Syros, that gap has almost disappeared. It brings in a slew of tech features and cabin space that can easily match, if not beat, a segment above. So if you have a budget of around Rs 16-17 lakh, you are now faced with a choice: should you go for the top-end sub-4m Syros or the mid-level variant of the bigger Kia Seltos?

Let us make this decision easy for you, starting with the prices.

Prices are ex-showroom, pan-India

Design

The Kia Syros gets a quirky design that is unique to not only any sub-4m SUV, but also any mass-market car. Not only does it get a boxy shape that makes it stand out from the ocean of sub-4m SUVs, but a lot of neat styling elements that also alleviate the uniqueness of the Syros.

For example, the fascia features vertically-stacked pixel-like headlights that are pushed to the bumper edges, which give the Syros a clean look. At the same time, their placement also makes them prone to direct damage in case of even a small accident. In profile, Kia has subtly rounded off the window edges and wheel arches that complement the overall boxy design of the Syros. The premium quotient of the Syros is further alleviated with the inclusion of flush-type door handles that are not offered by any of its rivals.

The rear features L-shaped LED lights on the edges of the windscreen and the tail lights, like the headlights, are placed on the bumper edges. While it is understandable that Kia made the Syros look unique to grab more eyeballs, which it definitely does, some of the elements are impractical, and might not be to everyone’s taste.

The Kia Seltos, which came to us in its mid-spec HTK Plus variant, features a more traditional design that is more pleasing to the eye. While the test unit misses out on LED headlights and features projector halogen units instead, Kia has recently updated the HTK trim with a new HTK Plus (O) variant that has equipped it with LED headlights and sequential LED turn indicators.

Other than this, the mid-spec Seltos features 16-inch silver alloy wheels, which are a size smaller than the Syros It also features connected LED tail lights and a black rear bumper with a silver skid plate that underline its rugged nature.

Overall, while the Syros will make a lot of heads turn, we feel the traditional-looking Seltos still has a more pleasant design that will suit the tastes of more people. However, design is subjective and you can go with the one that you feel is more appealing to you.

Another thing that you notice before boarding any car is the key design, which is slightly different in both the cars. The Syros gets a black plastic key with a matte finish on it and chrome edges that carry four buttons, including two buttons for locking/unlocking the SUV, one for opening the boot and another for remotely starting the car. 

The Seltos’ key has the same buttons, but it does not equal the one on the premiumness of the sub-4m SUV.

One thing to note, however, is while the Syros’ key feels more modern and premium, its matte finishing was chipping off from the edges of our test car and you will have to put in extra effort to maintain this key.

Boot Space

As the Kia Seltos is larger than 4 metres, it should have a larger boot space, right? Here are the claimed figures:

On paper, the Kia Syros has a 32 litre bigger boot than the Seltos. In real-life too, the Syros can carry more luggage than the Seltos.

The Syros and Seltos, both can accommodate luggage that will be enough for a long weekend trip. They can fit two medium-sized trolleys, two fabric bags, and a couple of rucksacks easily. While both have a low loading lip allowing for easy loading and unloading of luggage, the boot in the Syros is significantly deeper, enabling more vertical storage. Moreover, the rear seats can be slid ahead for maximised space. 

Both cars also get 60:40 split rear seats that can be folded in case you want to carry some larger items. But after holding the seats, Seltos offers you a bump-free flat floor, which will prove easier to push that larger luggage inside.

Moreover, as mentioned earlier, both cars have a dedicated button to open their boots, which makes it more convenient for the users to load or unload luggage.

Cabin

The moment you step inside, the difference in interior design is clear. Although the cabin theme varies with the chosen variants, both cars have their own character and approach to the cabin designs are evidently distinctive.

The Syros feels more premium. Its dashboard uses different feel-good textures and soft-touch materials. The dual-tone grey and silver interior, with orange accents, looks modern and youthful. The usage of different textures on the steering wheel, armrest, and door pads, making the cabin feel more premium.

In contrast, the Seltos uses black and grey hard plastics with some gloss black trim around the infotainment and silver touches around the AC vents. While the top-spec variant of the Seltos feels quite premium with generous use of soft-touch materials and contrast accents, the tested mid-spec trim does not offer the same experience. It relies heavily on hard plastics, which take away from the overall sense of quality and do not feel particularly upmarket.

That said, the feel of the buttons, switchgear quality, including the indicator and wiper stalks generally feel more robust in the Syros.

Overall, while the Seltos’ mid-spec variant still provides you with a stylish interior with acceptable quality, the Syros goes beyond the usual to offer you an experience that looks and feels premium. 

Features And Safety

Both SUVs come packed with features, but the Syros includes some high-end equipment usually seen in more expensive cars. Let us take a look at the features:

*These features were introduced in the Seltos' tested variant as part of the 2025 update but were not present in the test car

The Syros has a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also gets a similar-sized digital driver display, ventilated front and rear seats, dual-zone AC, a powered driver's seat, wireless phone charger and a panoramic sunroof.

The screen feels smooth and sharp, and it displays everything clearly, thanks to Kia’s new user interface. During our time with it, it worked without any lag or delay and was always quick and easy to use. Wireless phone connectivity was seamless, but the screen takes some time to wake up when you switch the ignition on.

The sound system is loud and clear, and the audio quality holds up well even at higher volumes. The bass is punchy enough to add depth to music, making it enjoyable for everyday drives and long trips alike.

However, the seat ventilation system is not as effective as expected, especially if the car had been parked in the sun for a long time. In a hot cabin with the air conditioning working at full capacity, the seat ventilation doesn't make much difference, at least initially. A highlight feature in the Syros is rear seat ventilation, which is unique to the segment. Notably, it cools only on the seat base rather than the backrest, but it still does a decent job of providing comfort on a hot day. Such a feature is absent not only on the Seltos, but in its entire segment.

The Syros also features a 5-inch touch-enabled screen for AC controls, which is a gimmick and not very practical to use while driving, as it sits in line with the steering wheel. However, Kia has sensibly included physical controls as well, making it far easier and safer to operate the AC functions in all driving conditions.

The Seltos HTK Plus offers a slightly toned-down package. It comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, a basic 6-speaker sound system, wireless smartphone connectivity and a panoramic sunroof. Other useful features include cruise control, paddle shifters, auto AC with rear vents and an air purifier. Features like a larger touchscreen, wireless phone charger and ventilated front seats are reserved for the higher variants.

The tested Seltos’ 8-inch touchscreen, while smaller than the Syros’ unit, is smooth and easy to operate and supports wireless smartphone connectivity, which is missing on the compact SUV’s higher variants. The user interface feels a bit dated and does not match the modern appeal of the Seltos. It starts up quickly and works without any lag or glitches.

The sound system, while overall good, does not deliver the deep bass or rich sound quality that the Syros’ Harman Kardon setup offers. That said, for everyday use, it sounds clear and loud enough, and unless you are very particular about audio, it will not leave you wanting.

Other features on both SUVs worked seamlessly, which is expected from Kia. The panoramic sunroof brings in plenty of light and air, and its tinted glass helps keep out heat effectively. The sunshade is thick and does a good job of insulating the cabin from direct sunlight. 

Overall, the Kia Syros comes out as a supremely modern proposition, which offers features that are not even found in the fully-loaded variants of the Seltos. At Rs 17 lakh, if you are looking for features, the Syros is second to none.

Now, let us take a look at the safety suite of both SUVs:

*These safety features were introduced in the Seltos' tested variant as part of the 2025 update but were not present in the test car

In terms of safety, both SUVs are well-equipped. Each offers six airbags, electronic stability control, disc brakes on all wheels, hill start assist, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX mounts, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and parking sensors at both ends.

The Syros, furthermore features a 360-degree camera. This camera setup is clear and bright, which makes parking or positioning the SUV in dark surroundings easy and accurate. It never lags or stutters, and the system stays sharp and responsive even when the lighting is poor.

In comparison, the Seltos’ camera system has a sub-par performance at night. The feed appears grainy, and noticeable frame drops can make it harder to rely on in poorly lit areas.

The Syros also includes an advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) suite. While we could not test every feature in depth, the adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist worked well and felt tuned for typical Indian driving conditions.

That said, the Kia Syros has recently been crash-tested by Bharat NCAP, where it secured a 5-star safety rating. The Seltos was crash tested in its pre-facelift avatar in 2020, where it scored a lower 3-star safety rating. All of this makes the Syros a safer bet on paper against the Seltos SUV.

Practicality And Charging Options

When it comes to day-to-day usability inside the cabin, both the Kia Syros and Seltos offer a lot of functional storage spaces. These include massive door pockets that can store 1-litre bottles and magazines, a deep glovebox, storage underneath the central armrest, and front cupholders that can hold bottles of varied sizes easily.

The Syros, however, goes a step further and offers retractable sides that can securely grip even small-sized bottles. The sub-4m SUV also features a seatback scoop on the passenger seat backrest that can hold the phone securely while charging. It also gets a dedicated slot for an umbrella in the front door pockets. All these smart storage spaces are not available in the Seltos.

In terms of charging options, both the Syros and Seltos get a 12V socket and a mix of type-A and type-C charging ports for the front passengers and a type-C socket for the rear seat passengers too. The Seltos’s tested mid-spec trim, however, misses out on the wireless phone charger that is offered with the Syros.

Rear Seat Experience

The rear seat of the Kia Syros feels surprisingly spacious given its compact dimensions. The cushioning is well balanced and there’s ample  headroom, foot room and under-thigh support and generous headroom, even for taller passengers. Even when the seat is pushed forward to expand boot space, there’s still enough leg and foot room for most passengers.

Both Kia cars manage to accommodate three passengers with some adjustments in the rear row. However, the Syros’ slightly raised middle section may not be the most comfortable spot for long journeys. Notably, both the Kia Syros and Seltos lack any kind of headrest for the rear passengers.

In comparison, the Seltos offers enough room to comfortably seat full-sized adults. However, it lacks the added flexibility of the Syros’ sliding and reclining rear seats. While this is not a major drawback, the extra adjustability and roominess in the Syros make it feel significantly more versatile and accommodating.

The Syros’ overall rear seat comfort, however, is enhanced due to the addition of features like ventilated rear seats, AC vents, sunshades and a foldable centre armrest with cup holders, enhancing the overall usability and passenger experience. While the Seltos gets AC vents and sunshades, it misses out on rear seat ventilation and centre armrest which can affect the comfort levels on longer journeys.

Engine And Performance

Both the Kia Syros and Kia Seltos are offered with a choice between petrol and diesel engine options. The detailed specifications are as follows:

*MT = Manual transmission, AT = Torque converter automatic transmission, DCT = Dual-clutch automatic transmission, CVT = Continuously variable automatic transmission, iMT = Clutch-less manual transmission

We drove the Syros’ 1-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and the Seltos’ 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a CVT gearbox. The driving experience in both cars turned out to be quite different, each with its own strengths.

The 1-litre turbo-petrol engine in the Syros feels eager and responsive right from the start. Power delivery is smooth, and while it doesn’t feel exciting, it still is quick. Whether you are moving through city traffic or picking up speed on an open road, the Syros feels energetic. The 7-speed DCT works well with the engine and delivers smooth and timely shifts. In city driving especially, this combination feels very usable and easy to live with.

On the highway, the Syros feels confident and holds triple-digit speeds with ease. Even with passengers and luggage onboard, the engine continues to perform smoothly without feeling strained.

The experience in the Seltos feels more relaxed and comfort-focused. Its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is paired with a CVT gearbox that keeps the drive smooth and calm. In everyday city use, it feels composed and easy to drive. The CVT helps by removing the jerks usually felt during gear changes and ensures that the car builds speed in a steady manner.

However, as seen with CVT units, when you press the accelerator hard, the engine gets louder, but the car takes its own sweet time to speed up. So, overtakes at high speeds need a bit of patience and planning.

Both the Syros and Seltos share the same diesel engine, and their performance feels quite similar. This engine offers a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, where it feels at home in the city. You won’t really have any complaints from the diesel’s highway performance as well.

However, the Seltos also offers a turbo-petrol engine, which is the most powerful option here. But to get this engine, you will either have to settle for the lower HTK variant with fewer features and a simpler look, or spend a few lakhs more for a higher variant that gives you a more complete package.

Ride Comfort

While the Kia Syros offers a stable and composed ride on highways and well-paved roads, it tends to feel unsettled on poorly maintained surfaces. In contrast, the Seltos stands out by delivering a more balanced ride across all road conditions.

On rough roads, the Syros’ suspension takes time to settle after hitting potholes or speed breakers. This leads to noticeable bouncing at the rear along with some sideways movement, especially over a series of uneven surfaces. It can make the rear seat experience less composed on bad roads.

However, once the road surface improves, the Syros settles down well and offers a calm and composed ride. It handles mild undulations comfortably and feels stable even at higher speeds. In this respect, the Seltos feels more comfortable as it manages both city roads and highways with confidence and delivers a consistently smooth and comfortable experience, especially for rear seat passengers. 

Talking about the steering feel, both the Kia Syros and Seltos offer a light setup that makes them easy to manoeuvre in city traffic. As the speed increases, the steering gradually becomes heavier, giving the driver more confidence to maintain triple-digit speeds comfortably on highways. 

Verdict

The Kia Syros is a feature-loaded, compact SUV that boasts a 5-star BNCAP rating and offers impressive space for its size. While its exterior design might divide opinion, the interior is undoubtedly modern and premium and provides ample cabin space. The rear seats, especially,  are exceptionally comfortable with amenities like seat ventilation, sunshades and AC vents. At Rs 17 lakh, it delivers unbeatable value for money and stands out as the best choice if features and comfort are your top priorities.

On the other hand, the Kia Seltos is a larger SUV that will definitely satisfy your big SUV needs. While it may miss out on a handful of features offered with the Syros, it is a good package overall, with a more mature design and a suspension setup that performs well on all kinds of roads. If you’re ready to trade off ride comfort for a futuristic car with all modern-day features, then the Syros is the right pick for you.

But if you generally just want a bigger car, and will find yourself using the rear seats more often, where you’d prioritise outright comfort over features, then the Seltos might be the better choice for you. At the end of the day, one’s not better than the other, but it might be better for your specific use case.