Kia Syros at autoX Awards: Best Cars of 2025 Ranked

It’s safe to say that Kia has delivered some strong products in the Indian market – from the Seltos to the Sonet and the Carens. Joining the lineup now is the Syros – a sub-4m SUV positioned between the Sonet and the Seltos. With its tall-boy stance and 2,550mm wheelbase, the Syros has been engineered to offer impressive cabin space. This becomes evident the moment you step into the second row – the seats can slide back to create additional legroom, albeit at the expense of boot space. The second-row seats are also ventilated – a feature unique to the Syros in this segment.

Also Read: Kia Syros Special Feature: The Power of Five

Just like the exterior, the Syros’ dashboard carries a distinctive design language. You get a two-spoke, flat-bottom ‘squircle’ steering wheel loaded with controls. The design may be unconventional, but it feels good to hold. Taking the centre stage is a massive 30-inch display that integrates three individual screens – an infotainment unit, a digital instrument cluster, and a dedicated panel for climate controls.

The only aspect likely to divide opinion is its exterior styling. The minimalistic robot-like face of this compact SUV won’t appeal to everyone. That’s the risk with radical design choices, and Kia seems to be learning that with the Syros. It’s worth noting that the Syros draws its design inspiration from the larger and more premium EV9, which we tested last year.

Also Read: Kia Sonet vs Kia Syros – Which One Makes More Sense? | autoX Comparison

Under the hood, both the 1.5-litre turbo-diesel and 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engines deliver punchy performance. Our test car was the turbo-petrol paired with the DCT – it’s an engine that loves to be pushed. Sure, the tall stance leads to some body roll and understeer around corners, but the direct steering more than makes up for them. Once you commit to a line, the Syros holds it with confidence. A few months ago, we tested some ‘hot hatches’ around a tight and twisty go-kart track; guess which car we used to film them? Yes, the Syros. That alone should tell you how capable and versatile this machine really is.