2025 Kia Syros debuts in India – sub-4m SUV between Sonet, Seltos; 1.0T petrol or 1.5T diesel; Level 2 ADAS

Kia India has unveiled the Syros, which is a sub-four-metre SUV that sits between the Sonet and Seltos in the company’s line-up. Order taking for the all-new model will only be start from January 3 next year, although there’s no disclosure of pricing for now.

Built on the K1 platform, the Syros measures 3,995 mm long, 1,805 mm wide, 1,625 mm tall and has a wheelbase spanning 2,550 mm. As with recent Kia models, the compact SUV adopts the ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, with cues highlighted being the brand’s ‘Digital Tiger Face’ and signature ‘Star Map’ LED lighting – the latter sees the daytime running lights and cube-style headlamps being tucked into the corners of the front end.

The boxy-shaped SUV also features a notched bonnet, prominent haunches, flush door handles as well as thick B-pillars in body colour. By this point, you get the sense that the Syros’ styling will divide opinion, and that’s before moving to the rear where you find an upright tailgate that sports a large rear window that blends into large C-pillars. Rear lighting is represented by L-shaped LED clusters framing the rear window.

If you can get past the eyebrow-raising exterior, the cabin of the Syros is far more normal. Seemingly inspired by the EV3, contrasting colours used for the interior trim and upholstery create an inviting and airy environment.

The simple dashboard is dominated by what the company calls a 30-inch ‘Trinity Panoramic Display’, which is made up of a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, 12-inch digital instrument cluster and five-inch touchscreen for the air-conditioning system.

Even with all that screen real estate, physical buttons are still plentiful above and below the central air vents, with power outlets located further down. Practicality is decent too thanks to storage cubbies in the centre console, pockets for devices behind the front seatbacks and a boot capacity of 465 litres – 60:40 split-folding rear seats are also present.

As for equipment, the Syros is available with wheel sizes ranging from 15 to 17 inches, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, leatherette seat upholstery, puddle lamps, 64-colour ambient lighting, keyless entry and start, a reverse camera, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, an air purifier system, rear door sunshades as well as front and rear seat ventilation.

Kia also offers Level 2 ADAS which includes front collision warning and avoidance (with autonomous emergency braking, junction assist and parking support), active cruise control with stop and go, leading vehicle departure alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane follow assist, high beam assist, driver attention warning, a blind view monitor and a 360-degree camera. The usual assortment of passive safety systems (ABS, ESC) are present too, along with six airbags.

Powertrain options are limited to just two, starting with a Smartstream G 1.0 litre turbocharged inline-three petrol engine making 120 PS (118 hp or 88.3 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 172 Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. This is followed by a Smartstream D 1.5 litre inline-four turbodiesel rated at 116 PS (114 hp or 85 kW) at 4,000 rpm and 250 Nm from 1,500 to 2,750 rpm.

Both engines driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission, although the petrol option can also be had with a seven-speed dual-clutch, while the alternative for the turbodiesel is a six-speed auto. Worth pointing out that manual transmission variants get drum brakes at the rear and discs at the front – the automatic and DCT come with disc brakes on all four corners.