Kia’s new Syros crossover makes its grand entrance

Last week, Kia premiered a new subcompact crossover in India called the Syros. This crossover is the latest addition to Kia’s already comprehensive crossover lineup, and though the EV9 electric SUV inspires its exterior, the Syros is built for a different purpose.

Speaking of the looks, let’s start with the front end. If you’ve seen the Kia Tasman pickup, the Syros’ front bumper won’t surprise you. Like the freshly unveiled pickup, Kia has positioned the vertical headlights on the outer edges of the Syros. Despite its compact length of 3,995 mm, the Syros boasts a bold, upright stance thanks to its boxy styling. 

Notable design highlights include low-mounted vertical taillights, an L-shaped rear light bar, pronounced fenders, and distinctive kinks along the door windows. The Syros measures 3,995 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width, and 1,665 mm in height, with a notably long wheelbase of 2,550 mm. While it is shorter than the Sonet in overall length, the Syros stands significantly taller, surpassing its sibling by 55 mm.

Despite its small size, Kia emphasizes the Syros’ spacious interior, boasting one of the largest volumes in its class. A tall roofline and wide cabin, complemented by sliding second-row seats, enhance its roominess. Despite being an entry-level model, the Syros feels upscale, featuring dual 12.3-inch displays on the dashboard. Space efficiency is further improved with an electromechanical gear selector, while a thoughtful mix of touchscreen and physical controls ensures user-friendly operation. The two-spoke steering wheel pays homage to classic Kia designs.

In terms of features, the Syros includes wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, and over-the-air updates as standard. Higher trims add premium touches such as a dual-pane sunroof, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, ventilated front and rear seats, and an advanced driver assistance system for enhanced safety and convenience.

As for power, Kia Syros is offered with two engine options In India: a 1.0-liter turbocharged Smartstream G gasoline engine delivering 118 hp and 172 Nm of torque, and a 1.5-liter CRDi VGT diesel engine producing 114 hp and 250 Nm of torque. Both engines are available with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.

For now, the Kia Syros is confirmed exclusively for the Indian market, with no word yet on whether it will arrive in the Philippines. Stay tuned for updates though as we think this crossover won’t be restricted to one country for very long.

In the meantime, explore the Kia Car Guide on AutoDeal.com.ph, where you can browse and shop for your dream car, all in one convenient place.