Kia Syros

Kia Syros
Overview
ManufacturerKia
Model codeAY[1]
Production
  • January 2025 – present
  • July 2026 – present (Syros EV)
AssemblyIndia: Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh (Kia India)
DesignerUnder the lead of Teck-koun Kim[2]
Body and chassis
Class
Body style5-door hatchback
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform
RelatedHyundai Venue (QU2)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Battery
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,550 mm (100 in)
Length3,995 mm (157.3 in)
Width1,790–1,805 mm (70.5–71.1 in)
Height1,625–1,680 mm (64.0–66.1 in)

The Kia Syros is an (A-segment) crossover city car manufactured by the South Korean automaker Kia since 2025.

Developed and produced in India, it is Kia's smallest crossover in its global lineup.

The name Syros is derived from the Greek island of the same name.

Reveal

The Syros was first unveiled in India on 19 December 2024, ahead of its launch in the Indian market.[3]

Bookings for the Syros were opened on 3 January 2025.[3]

In the Indian market, it is positioned between the Sonet and the Seltos in Kia's local lineup.[4]

Overview

Design

The Syros features a boxy shape inspired by the Soul, with some styling cues drawn from the EV9. The headlamps are vertically oriented, and the rear lamps use an L-shaped design, with the brake lights positioned at the bottom of the rear bumper. Roof rails are fitted depending on grade.

Interior

The interior features dual 12.3-inch displays for the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment, along with a Level 2 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) offering 16 autonomous functions, including smart cruise control and lane-keeping assist. A 360-degree surround-view camera and blind-spot monitor are also fitted. Additional equipment includes an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio setup, ventilated front and rear seats, an optional panoramic sunroof, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats with sliding and reclining adjustment.[5]

Equipment

The Syros is equipped with a newly developed electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture with a central data hub that routes data between different ECUs or modules, enabling external communications through an embedded SIM (eSIM) in the vehicle telematics control unit (TCU) for enabling cloud-based services, including over-the-air (OTA) update capabilities.[6]

Platform

Unlike the Hyundai Casper and Exter, the Kia Syros is based on a "reinforced" K1 platform, which is strengthened with additional hot-stamped parts in the body shell.[7] It is the first model from the K1 platform family to be fitted with a 1.5-litre diesel engine before the second-generation Hyundai Venue, which was later launched in the final quarter of 2025.[8]

Powertrain

The Syros is offered with a choice of petrol or diesel engines. The petrol option is a 1.0-litre Smartstream turbocharged unit, and the diesel option is a 1.5-litre Smartstream unit. Both engines are mated to either a 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, or 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Petrol engines
Model Engine Power Torque Transmissions
1.0 L Smartstream T-GDi 998 cc (60.9 cu in) turbocharged I3 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) @ 6,000 rpm 172 N⋅m (17.5 kg⋅m; 127 lb⋅ft) @ 1,500–4,000 rpm 6-speed manual

7-speed DCT

Diesel engines
Model Engine Power Torque Transmissions
1.5 L Smartstream D1.5 CRDi VGT 1,493 cc (91.1 cu in) turbocharged I4 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) @ 4,000 rpm 250 N⋅m (25.5 kg⋅m; 184 lb⋅ft) @ 1,500–2,750 rpm 6-speed manual

6-speed automatic

Grade levels

The Syros is offered in six grade levels: HTE, HTE(O), HTK(EX), HTK+, HTX, and HTX(O).[9]

2026 update

On 22 April 2026, the Syros received a facelift with revised front and rear fascias, new alloy wheel designs, four additional trim levels, and three new exterior colours.[10]

Syros EV

A battery electric variant called the Kia Syros EV was launched on 22 July 2026.[11]

It is based on the Hyundai-Kia K1 BEV platform, similar to the Hyundai Inster.[11]

The Syros EV is offered in Standard Range form with a 42 kWh battery, and Extended Range form with a 51.4 kWh battery offering a claimed ARAI-certified range of up to 526 km (327 mi). Both batteries are nickel manganese cobalt produced by LG Energy Solution.[12] The Syros EV carries over the Level 2 ADAS suite from the combustion-engined model and adds a 30-inch "Trinity" display spanning the instrument cluster and infotainment system.[11]

It is available with Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) financing option and lifetime high-voltage battery warranty covering 15 years with unlimited kilometres for the first owner.[12]

Prodcution

The Syros is produced at the Kia India plant in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, alongside the Seltos, Sonet, and fourth-generation Carens.

Production commenced in early 2025.

Safety

The Syros became the first Kia model in India to receive a five-star rating for both adult and child occupant protection under Bharat NCAP, whose protocol is based on the 2016 Latin NCAP standard.

Bharat NCAP test results
Kia Syros
(2025, based on Latin NCAP 2016)[13]
Test Score Stars
Adult occupant protection 30.21/32.00 StarStarStarStarStar
Child occupant protection 44.42/49.00 StarStarStarStarStar

References

  1. ↑ "Kia India unveils new compact SUV - Syros; bookings start from January 3". ET Auto. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  2. ↑ "Bigger and better: Kia Syros a segment disrupter or a game changer?". Business Standard. 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  3. 1 2 Kelshikar, Tushar. "Kia Syros unveiled in India; bookings open on January 3". Team-BHP. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  4. ↑ "Kia's third SUV to slot in between Sonet and Seltos". Team-BHP. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  5. ↑ "The Kia Syros Is a Tiny Car With a Huge Personality". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  6. ↑ "Kia Syros packs a digital punch with advanced E/E architecture". Autocar Professional. Retrieved 2026-08-29.
  7. ↑ "Kia Syros price and review including mileage and performance and features - Introduction | Autocar India". Autocar. Retrieved 2026-08-29.
  8. ↑ "Kia Syros World Premiere: A Revolutionary SUV Offering a Fusion of Bold Design, Smart Connectivity, and Advanced Safety Features". 2024-12-19.
  9. ↑ "Kia Syros Expected Price Not Yet Announced, 2025 Launch Date, Images & Specs". CarDekho. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  10. ↑ "2026 Kia Syros launched at Rs 8.39 lakh; gets new variants". Team-BHP.com. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  11. 1 2 3 "Kia Syros EV launched at Rs 13.50 lakh". Autocar India. 2026-07-22. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
  12. 1 2 "Kia Syros EV India Launch: Price Starts at Rs 13.49 Lakh". Autocar Professional. Retrieved 2026-08-29.
  13. ↑ "Bharat NCAP results for Kia Syros". bncap.in. 2025.