Kia Syros

Kia might be relatively new to the Indian market, but have shot to popularity. The South Korean brand had already tasted success in the subcompact SUV segment with the Sonet. Now, they’re at it again with the Syros, a car that focuses purely on space and features.

I have spent over two months driving the new Syros to see if it delivers on what it promises. Having driven its key rivals such as the Skoda Kylaq, Mahindra XUV3XO and Tata Nexon gave me some solid parameters to test it. Is Syros really different from its competitors? And does it have enough to justify its high price? Let’s find out.

The Kia Syros has always been an outright quirky-looking car. It carries a tall-boy design, flat profile, and a stance that some might compare to a Japanese hatchback. But this design has never been about just the aesthetics; it also serves a purpose. It helps the Syros maximise cabin space, which is clearly its core strength.

The face remains upright and attention-grabbing, with huge vertically stacked wraparound LED headlamps, vertical LED DRLs, and a chunky overall stance. The LED headlamps continue to be positioned at the edges, which means they remain exposed and prone to damage.  The bonnet is flat, and the split grille still adds to its bold presence.

For 2026, Kia has made subtle but noticeable updates here. The front bumper has been redesigned with body-coloured aero inserts, glossy black skid plates, and the addition of slim LED fog lamps, giving it a slightly more premium and modern touch without altering its fundamental character.

From the sides, the Syros continues to look noticeably larger than its rivals, and completely stretches itself to offer maximum space inside the cabin. It gets a flattish-looking profile, minimal curves around the wheel arches, and flush door handles, which give it a clean appearance. Large windows, including the rear quarter glass, further enhance the sense of space and height. 

With the 2026 updates, Kia has refreshed things slightly with body-coloured side garnish, replacing the earlier contrasting elements for a more cohesive look. Additionally, the Syros now gets glossy black ORVMs and roof rails, which add a subtle premium contrast to the overall design.

Kia has introduced new 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels in the 2026 Syros, along with neon brake callipers, which give it a sportier edge.

At the back, the Kia Syros 2026 features a tall and upright stance with a flat boot lid. The split LED tail lamp setup continues, with slim L-shaped elements near the rear windshield and larger wraparound units placed lower on the bumper. The 2026 model gets an updated rear bumper and a glossy black skid plate that complements the premium look. 

Overall, while the changes are subtle, they help keep the Syros visually fresh without altering the overall design. 

Kia offers the Syros in 8 shades: Front Blue, Glacier White Pearl, Ivory Silver (new shade, available in both matte and gloss), Gravity Grey, Magma Red (new), Imperial Blue, Pewter Oliver, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Design & Quality

Syros’ cabin has taken design inspiration from Kia more expensive models like the EV9, and this design perfectly matches the boxy exterior. The entire cabin is finished in different shades of grey, making it look premium and airy as well, and there are subtle orange inserts on the gear knob, seats, around the speakers and on the AC vents.

The dashboard has multiple horizontal layers, finished in different shades and materials, which highlight this cabin’s width. Kia has used a new steering wheel design that features a flat-bottom and top, and also has an off-set Kia logo. This steering wheel houses the drive mode and traction mode controls, making it easier for the driver. 

In terms of quality, there is absolutely nothing to complain about, in fact, Kia has set a segment benchmark with its materials choices and fit and finish. Every plastic element used here is smooth, some glossy grey elements used on the gearknob and dashboard feel nice to touch, and each and every button is solid, whether they’re on the steering wheel or in the centre console. Even the AC vents have the required weight and there are no panel gaps anywhere in this cabin.

Apart from these elements, you get leatherette padding on the door pads, steering wheel, centre armrest, and gear knob. The seats are also offered with a dual-tone leatherette upholstery. On top of all of this, Kia has offered ambient lighting on the dashboard, door pads, and centre armrest, which further ups the premium quotient. This is by far the most premium cabin in the segment and it can easily challenge the quality of cars a segment above.

Here, based on the variant you choose, you’ll get different colours for the seats, all of them are dual-tone. Lower variants get semi-leatherette seats while the top-spec variants come with full leatherette seats. The orange inserts are replaced by green ones in the mid-spec HTK+ and HTX variants.

Front Seats

Doors of the Syros open wide, which allows easy ingress and egress. The seats are also placed at a neutral height which makes getting in and out easy for the elderly. The driver seat gets 4-way power adjustment (only height adjustment is manual), and the steering wheel has tilt adjustment. While telescopic adjustment and a 6-way powered seat would have been more appreciated, finding your ideal driving position is still fairly easy.

Once inside, you’ll notice that the front seats are wide enough to accommodate people of larger frames. The tall boy design gives ample headroom for a 6-footer, the underthigh support is enough for an average-sized adult, the headrests protrude forward for better support, and the bolsters are just big enough to provide decent side support.The front armrest is also more than accommodating, but I wish it was adjustable for better support.

A few of our colleagues noticed that the pedals are slightly off-set towards the right, but the foot well is wide enough to not feel cramped.

From the driver’s seat, you get a commanding view of the road due to the tall flat bonnet. The larger windshield offers great frontal visibility, there are no major blind spots, and the huge rear windshield provides an uncompromised rearward visibility. Even if you’re a new driver, you’ll be confident behind the wheel quickly.

Rear Seats

The rear seat of the Syros is one of its main highlights where the focus here is to provide the best rear seat experience possible in the segment. With my experience in this car, I can say that Kia has succeeded. 

Firstly, the rear seat is wide enough to accommodate three passengers. The middle one will sit a little upright due to the bulge in the seatback and base, but they won’t have to struggle much for shoulder room. There is also enough footroom for the middle passenger to sit comfortably, but unfortunately there is no middle headrest, which can cause fatigue during long journeys.

To make the rear seat experience better, Kia has provided seats which can slide back and forth 75 mm, and they can be reclined to 135 degrees. This makes enough space for a 6-footer to sit behind another 6-footer. Pair this with the sunblinds and this rear seat becomes great for a chauffeur-driven experience.

The rear passengers also get AC vents, the seat base is ventilated, and if just two passengers are travelling in the back, they can use the wide centre armrest which comes with two cupholders. 

Storage Options

The space offered inside the Syros is a masterclass in packaging as you have all the space you’d want and then some more. The front doors can carry three bottles and an umbrella each, there are two retractable cupholders in the front, an open storage on the dashboard, a sunglass holder, storage under the centre armrest, and a large glove box.

Rear passengers get seatback pockets, a dedicated slot for phones on the top (co-driver side), there’s storage on the door armrests, bottle holders in the doors, two cupholders in the centre armrest, and a small tray under the rear AC vents to keep your phone.

Charging Options

Just like the storage, there’s plenty of charging options in the Syros. Front passengers get a wireless phone charger, two type-C ports (one can be used for data transfer), and a 12V socket.

Rear passengers get two type-C ports. While there is no USB (type-A) port in this cabin, the charging options provided are more than enough.

This cabin, as a whole, covers everything you need and then offers more for a better experience. The cabin quality is the best in segment, space and practicality is unmatched, and the only major thing missing is the middle passenger’s headrest. Apart from that, this cabin will not make you complain about anything, and it easily sets a benchmark.

Boot space

Sliding rear seats mean that the 2025 Syros’ boot space figure can be adjusted between 390-465 litres, depending on the position of the rear seats. 

• The boot is deep and wide and can store your family’s weekend trip luggage with ease.

• There's a 60:40 split function in the rear seats too, so you can fold them in case you need to carry larger items.

When it comes to features and tech, Syros has skipped nothing. Its feature list, just like the cabin and space, is best in the segment, and you’ll not be left wanting for more.

Apart from these features, it gets a three screen setup, which has a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 5-inch climate control display, and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display.

The touchscreen has great resolution, it comes with a brand new user interface which is easy to use with its large icons, and navigating between menus is also very easy. This screen supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, displays the feed of the 360-degree camera, and is paired with an 8-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system for a clear and crisp audio experience.

Next to this screen is a small 5-inch climate control panel which can be used to change fan speed and adjust the directions. However, this is placed right behind the steering wheel, which makes it difficult to use while driving. Thankfully, Kia has also offered physical AC controls in the centre console. This screen is a good idea, as it brings some basic AC controls closer to the driver, but its execution needs to be better.

Next is the digital driver’s display which is large, displays all drive information in big fonts, and it comes with different themes and colours which change based on the drive mode selected. It also displays the feed of the blind view camera while indicating, which is very useful while taking turns or changing lanes.

The panoramic sunroof in this cabin is massive and runs from one end of the cabin to the other. It brings in a lot of light in the cabin and makes the interiors feel more premium. Lower variant (HTK (O)) gets a smaller single-pane sunroof.

There is a 360-degree camera as well with acceptable resolution. The feed is clear, no frame drop or lags, and gets multiple views.

There are no major feature misses in the Syros. A few competitors offer a heads-up display and a powered front passenger seat, but they are not absolute must-have features, and you can easily live without them.

The standard safety features of the Syros include 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control (ESC), hill start assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors (4 each), a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.

Higher variants get additional features like all-wheel disc brakes and electric parking brake with auto hold.

Previously, the Kia Syros came with a 360-degree camera and a level-2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), both of which are now removed as part of the MY 2026 update.

Engine and Performance

The Kia Syros is offered with two engine options: a 1-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. Both are offered with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. For automatics, the turbo-petrol gets a 7-step dual clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and the diesel gets a 6-speed torque converter.

1-litre Turbo-petrol

This is a three-cylinder unit which has some vibration when you start the car, but fades away as soon as it settles into idle. While it is a turbo-petrol engine, do not expect an exciting or a fun-to-drive experience. The engine never feels underpowered, but the overall drive experience is relaxed.

City Performance

You can easily drive it around in the city. The acceleration is smooth and linear, and it does not feel rushed. Even when the turbo kicks in, power is delivered smoothly, and the car accelerates progressively.

You won’t have any issues overtaking others around you. Bumper-to-bumper traffic is well handled, and with a light clutch and slick gear shifts, driving the manual does not require much effort.

The DCT is a very well calibrated gearbox which stays in the right gear almost always. The gear changes are also smooth and timely. It might feel jerky occasionally in stop and go traffic, however. 

The downside of this engine is a low city fuel efficiency of around 8-10kmpl. 

Highway Performance

Getting to triple digit speeds and overtaking others at speeds of 80-100kmph requires no effort. It picks up speeds quickly and makes sure you don’t feel the lack of power at any moment.

The DCT is our recommendation here as the gears change swiftly with little to no jerk, and when needed, it can quickly downshift so that you can easily perform quick overtakes.

Fuel efficiency here will be around 13-14 kmpl.

1.5-litre Diesel

This is a tried and tested engine seen in the Sonet, Seltos and Creta, and it offers a good balance between performance and fuel efficiency. The vibrations are well controlled for a diesel engine, and the power delivery is smooth.

City Performance

For a relaxed driving experience, this is a very good choice. Bumper-to-bumper traffic and slow speed city commutes are done easily due to its low end torque. Regular city driving including cruising around and overtaking others is effortless. 

With the manual, you get a slightly heavy clutch that can be tiring during long city commutes, but the automatic here feels quick enough, and while there is a noticeable jerk between gear changes, it won’t hamper your drive experience.

In the city, this engine offers a better fuel efficiency of around 12-14kmpl.

Highway Performance

While driving on the highway, there is a noticeable turbo lag under 2000rpm, but apart from that there is nothing wrong here. You can easily get to triple digit speeds, and this is a great engine for cruising around. You won’t get an exciting drive experience, instead, your drives will be smooth and casual.

We’d recommend this engine if you drive around in the city a lot, and that too with the automatic. Gears change on time, and while it is not as quick as the DCT, it is quick enough for relaxed usage.

The fuel efficiency on the highways will be around 16-17kmpl, and it can go higher if you’re cruising at 80-90 kmph.

Ride Comfort

While there is a lot of good in this car, ride and handling is not its strong suit. Uneven patches at city speeds result in noticeable side-to-side movement, and deep potholes cause the Syros’ suspension to crash and thud. At high speeds, there’s vertical movement in the cabin, which is felt more by the rear passengers. On smooth city/highway roads, you’re unlikely to complain. In my experience, most of my drives in the city were comfortable and very occasionally on rough patches I encountered side to side movement. But, from an overall stand point, Kia could have done a better job with the ride comfort.

Now, since the Syros is a tall car, body roll on sudden lane switching is very evident. This is not a car that you throw around on corners, it is a family focused car meant to be driven in a relaxed manner. Thankfully, the steering is light at low speeds and weighs up enough at highway speeds, making it easy for newer drivers to feel confident.

The 2026 Kia Syros is available in 7 variants: HTE [New], HTE (O) [New], HTK (EX), HTK Plus, HTK Plus (O) [New], HTX and HTX (O) [New]. With these new variants, the Syros not only becomes more accessible, but its diesel variants in particular get more affordable. 

Syros HTE 

• Features the 1-litre turbo-petrol, available with only a manual gearbox. 

• Gets basic exterior elements like halogen headlamps, 15-inch steel wheels with covers, skid plates, and a shark fin antenna.

• The cabin gets a 10.25-inch display, a 12-inch LCD instrument cluster with colour MID, semi-leatherette seats, and an armrest with cupholders. 

• Key features include 4 Speakers, wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, all four power windows, and rear AC vents. 

• Safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESC, ABS with EBD, hill start assist and rear parking sensors.

Syros HTE (O)

• Available with both petrol MT and diesel MT.

• Adds 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels for a premium look. 

• Gets a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a single-pane sunroof to make the cabin feel airy. 

• Introduces a highline tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and two tweeters. 

Syros HTK (EX)

• Offered with petrol MT and diesel MT. 

• Exterior upgrades include LED headlamps and LED DRLs, along with LED taillights. Also gets glossy black roof rails. 

• Adds automatic headlights for added convenience.

• Gets a reverse parking camera with dynamic guidelines.  

Syros HTK Plus 

• Available with all powertrain options, including petrol and diesel engines as well as manual and automatic options. 

• Builds on the HTK (EX) with a panoramic sunroof, blue and grey interior theme with green accents, 60:40 split rear seats, a rear armrest, cruise control, and headlamp escort function. 

• Automatic variants also get a smart key with push-button start, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, drive modes and rear disc brakes for enhanced safety. 

Syros HTK Plus (O)

• Comes with all powertrain options, including petrol and diesel engines, and manual and automatic options.

• Introduces leather seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel and leather finishes across various touchpoints. 

• Also gets a rear wiper with a washer and a parcel tray. 

Syros HTX 

• Available with only automatic transmissions across both petrol and diesel. 

• Gets larger 17-inch alloy wheels, and neon brake callipers. 

• The cabin gets a grey interior theme with matte orange accents. 

• You get a larger 12.3-inch infotainment, ventilated seats, a powered driver seat, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. 

• Other features include a wireless phone charger and a dashcam. 

Syros HTX (O) 

• All powertrain options, except for the manuals. 

• Comes with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, connected car features, and a 5-inch climate control display. 

• Also gets rear ventilated seats and an auto-dimming IRVM. 

CarDekho Recommends

• Pick the HTE (O) if you’re stretching your budget slightly over the base variant.

It feels like a meaningful upgrade with the addition of 16-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, and a height-adjustable driver’s seat, which improve both the look and comfort. You also get practical additions like TPMS and tweeters, making it a more complete entry-level choice. Moreover, it offers both petrol and diesel manual options.

• Go for the HTK Plus if you want the best value-for-money package.

It strikes a sweet balance by offering features like a panoramic sunroof, cruise control, 60:40 split seats, rear armrest, and a more premium cabin theme, while still being available with all powertrain options, including automatics. The added convenience and flexibility make it the most well-rounded variant for most buyers.

Consider the HTX if you want a premium experience. It brings in larger 17-inch alloys with neon brake callipers, a bigger 12.3-inch infotainment system, ventilated seats, a powered driver seat, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. With added features like a wireless charger and dashcam, it feels like a big step up in terms of luxury and tech.

The Kia Syros is hard to fault based on what it offers, and while it is more expensive than its rivals, it makes up for it by its premiumness, space, and feel good features. The design might not be as per everyone’s liking, and maybe not everyone wants all these flashy features, but as a package, the Syros feels complete.

The space is unmatchable, the cabin quality is the best in its segment, and you get all the features and safety equipment you can ask for. Just a few knicks and knacks in its ride comfort and feature package need to be addressed, and the Syros will become perfect.