Where the company’s portfolio is concerned, new Kia Syros is positioned above Sonet sub 4m SUV and below Seltos compact SUV
Kia India has raised quite a few eyebrows when the company unveiled its new sub 4m SUV, Syros. The Syros is quite unusual for the Indian market as it packs an interesting combination of platform, powertrain, features and creature comforts from other vehicles within Hyundai and Kia’s portfolio.
The gist of Syros is that it is sub 4m SUV based on a modified version of K1 platform seen on vehicles like Santro, Exter, Grand i10 NIOS and Aura, while being as feature-loaded as Seltos. There are 8 new attributes with Kia Syros that even the Seltos doesn’t get. Let’s take a look.
1. The New Design Language
Being new has its perks as Kia Syros features company’s new design language. We have seen a similar implementation of vertical headlights in wheel-arch cladding on Kia Tasman pickup truck. Syros bears a boxy silhouette on the outside with a chopped-off effect to the rear section. Even on the inside, Syros gets a new design theme, while Seltos still looks like it did when it was launched.
2. Flush Door Handles
On the outside, Kia Syros gets unique flush-mounted door handles on all four doors. In comparison, both Sonet sub 4m SUV and Seltos compact SUV gets conventional door handles. Notably, Syros’ door handles don’t pop out on their own, similar to the design seen in Tata Curvv and Curvv EV.
3. 30-inch Trinity Display
On the inside, Kia Syros offers something called a 30-inch Trinity Display. This is the first triple display implementation in sub 4m and compact segments. It comprises of two 12.3-inch displays (one for infotainment and other for instrumentation) along with a third 5-inch touchscreen for climate control functions. In comparison, Seltos gets twin 10.2-inch displays even with the top-spec X Line trim.
4. Premium Key
With the Syros, Kia is offering its new premium key, which we recently saw with Carnival. It is a new shape and is lighter in weight. Touch and feel of this key is very premium and lends Syros a new-age and premium feel, when compared to what is offered with Seltos.
5. Rear Ventilated Seats
For the first time in sub 4m and compact segments (across all genres), Kia Syros gets rear ventilated seat option on top of front seat ventilation. Seltos and Sonet both come equipped with ventilated seats function only in the front. That said, the functionality of Syros’ rear ventilated seats is incomplete as ventilation is only for thighs and not backrest.
6. Rear Sliding & Reclining Seats
Kia Syros’ rear seats get a lot of flexibility in top-spec trims. It gets a recline function for seat back-rest with a very generous angle for a laid-back and relaxed experience. Not just that, rear seat base slides forward and backwards for the first time in this segment.
7. Flexible Boot
As an extension of the sliding and reclining rear seats, Kia Syros offers a flexible boot. Users can slide the seat base all the way forwards and seat-back all the way up and liberate a lot of storage space in the boot. When necessary, users can choose comfort and get exceptional kneeroom and recline angle. Boot space can be adjusted between 390L and 465L, something not seen in Seltos.
8. Turbo Petrol Manual
For the first time ever, Kia is offering a Turbo Petrol Manual combination in India with Syros sub 4m SUV. Seltos still gets NA Petrol engine with Manual gearbox only. However, the Turbo Petrol Manual combo is not offered with Syros’ top-spec trims.
