Kia Syros After 14,500km: Long Term Review

After driving 14,500km, the Kia Syros has shown that it is a practical and feature-loaded compact SUV for everyday use. Its biggest highlights are the roomy cabin, very comfortable rear seats, and premium-looking interior. The 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine feels good for daily driving, but mileage and ride comfort could have been better. Overall, it is a smart family car if you do not mind its unusual design.

Exterior Design: Quirky Looks That Divide Opinion

The Kia Syros has the most unconventional design in the compact SUV segment. It is boxy, tall, and has squared-off proportions that look nothing like its competitors. When you first see it, the styling might not appeal to everyone—in fact, it will displease quite a few people. The ice-cube headlights are interesting, but they stick out from the body and can get damaged easily during parking.

The overall design is polarizing, and that has been hurting its sales despite being a very practical car. The outside door handles feel cheap and don't look premium at all. They look like a raised platform where your phone would slide off, though in real driving, it stays in place thanks to the grippy surface.

Interior Design and Space: Real Highlight of the Car

This is where the Kia Syros truly stands out. Step inside, and the cabin immediately feels more impressive than the exterior design. The interior has a premium look with a smart mix of colours, textures, and quality materials. Kia has also used sustainable and recycled materials, while hard plastics are kept to a minimum. The overall layout feels modern, clean, and practical.

The dashboard design is simple and user-friendly. Kia has wisely kept physical buttons for important controls, making them easier to use while driving. The buttons are large, clear, and within easy reach. The wireless charging pad is well placed and keeps the phone secure on rough roads. Twin screens add a modern touch, while the Harman/Kardon sound system offers a rich audio experience. The 64-colour ambient lighting further improves the cabin atmosphere.

Space is another strong point of the Syros. Its tall-boy design provides excellent headroom for all passengers. Rear legroom is especially impressive for a car under four metres, thanks to the 2,550 mm wheelbase. Even five passengers can sit comfortably without feeling cramped, making it a practical family-friendly cabin.

Rear Seat Experience: Best in Segment

This is where the Syros becomes truly special. The rear seats slide and recline, allowing passengers to adjust space as they want. The backrest can be locked into multiple recline angles, giving you a personalized experience. There are resizable cup holders with a nice push-release mechanism. The amenities list is long: roller sun blinds that are well-shaped and don't leave odd gaps, an in-cabin air purifier, an armrest with cupholders, two rear AC vents, and two Type-C USB ports with a phone holder.

The rear seats also get cooled seats—a segment first feature. While the front gets cooling for both the backrest and seat base, the rear only gets cooling at the seat base. This is an engineering limitation, not a cost-cutting measure, as packaging a blower unit in the rear seatbacks while keeping the slide and recline function was difficult. The panoramic sunroof, combined with light upholstery, makes the cabin feel bright and airy. There are 23 in-cabin storage spaces throughout the car.

Engine and Performance: Decent but Not Impressive

The Syros comes with a 1.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine that produces 120 bhp and 172 Nm of torque. It is paired with a 7-speed DCT automatic gearbox. The acceleration is reasonable—from zero to 100 km/h takes about 11.63 seconds in Sport mode. It is not quick, but it has enough punch for everyday city driving.

However, the seating position and overall vibe of the car put you in a relaxed, laid-back state of mind. You don't feel the need to rush. The engine has some turbo lag, and there is clunky behavior from the DCT gearbox at low speeds, making traffic driving jerky at times. For highway cruising and city commutes, the engine is more than satisfactory. It is not a firework, but it gets the job done without fuss.

Fuel Efficiency: Lower Than Expected

This is an area where the Syros disappoints. Over the months of testing, it returned an average of 9.2 kilometers per liter, and that was mostly city driving. On highways, if you cruise at 80-90 km/h, you can expect around 16-17 km/l. Overall, fuel efficiency is not the Syros' strong point. If you are looking for a fuel-sipping city car, this is not it. The turbo engine and DCT gearbox, combined with the car's weight and aerodynamics, do not help the fuel consumption figures.

Ride and Handling: Firm Suspension for Practicality

The Syros has a firm suspension setup, which is necessary to manage its tall height and keep it stable. On smooth tarmac, the car feels composed and handles well. However, the suspension transfers jolts into the cabin over larger potholes and sharp edges. It is not uncomfortable, but you do feel the bumps. Uneven patches at city speeds result in noticeable side-to-side movement, and deep potholes cause the suspension to crash and thud.

At high speeds on highways, there is vertical movement in the cabin that is felt more by rear passengers. The ride is not plush or cushy as the upright body style might suggest. This is a tall car, so body roll on sudden lane switching is very evident. The Syros is not a car you throw around corners—it is a family-focused car meant to be driven in a relaxed manner.

Noise and Vibration: Highway Noise Is Noticeable

The NVH insulation is not class-leading. Road and wind noise are noticeable at highway speeds, and there is engine sound that seeps into the cabin when you push it hard. This is one area where some rivals are more refined. For city driving, it is fine, but on long highway drives, you will notice the noise levels.

Features and Technology: Loaded with Useful Gadgets

The Syros does not miss a beat when it comes to features. It has a panoramic sunroof, rear power windows, ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), a powered driver seat, 6 airbags, an air purifier, and the Harman/Kardon sound system. The 12.3-inch touchscreen has excellent resolution and intuitive user interface. You will not find better screen hardware and software for another 20 lakhs up. The surround cameras are excellent.

The car also has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, making smartphone integration seamless. The voice command system works sometimes and sometimes it does not, but that is normal across most cars. The climate control is easy to use, and the steering-mounted controls are convenient.

Safety Features: Well-Equipped for Protection

The Syros comes with 6 airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, ADAS, and hill start assist. These are genuinely useful safety features. The surround view cameras are excellent and make parking much easier. The ADAS system is good but you can turn it off if you want. Overall, the safety package is comprehensive.

Family Car Experience: Excellent for Everyday Use

After months of driving the Syros daily for office commutes and family trips, it has proven to be an easy, comfortable, and likeable partner. The maturity with which it goes about its business is admirable. The family genuinely liked the car, and it works well for city driving, weekend trips, and family outings. Children loved the interior color scheme and ambient lighting. The wife appreciated the rear seat comfort and space.

Kia Syros Quick Specs

• Engine: 1.0L Turbocharged Petrol

• Power: 120 bhp

• Torque: 172 Nm

• Transmission: 7-Speed DCT Automatic

• Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 11.63 seconds

• Fuel Efficiency: 9.2 km/l (city), 16-17 km/l (highway)

• Wheelbase: 2,550mm

• Tank Capacity: 50 Liters

• Warranty: 3 Years

• Price: ₹8.40 - ₹15.80 Lakh

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy It?

The Kia Syros is for buyers who value substance over style. If you need a practical, spacious, feature-rich family car and do not mind the unusual looks, the Syros is genuinely worth considering. It is not the fastest, not the most fuel-efficient, and not the most comfortable on rough roads. But it is genuinely good at being a practical family car.

The Syros is to the Sonet what the Clavis is to the Seltos—same size, less desirable body style, but significantly more space and practicality. If the exterior design appeals to you or you can overlook it, the Syros offers exceptional value. For those who cannot get past the styling, there are many other conventional-looking alternatives in the market.

Rating: 7.5/10

• Pros: Spacious interior, segment-best rear seat, loaded features, good safety, practical design, quality interior materials

• Cons: Divisive exterior design, firm suspension, poor fuel efficiency, highway noise, turbo lag and clunky DCT at low speeds