Kia Seltos does not have these features

In terms of the company’s product portfolio, the new Kia Syros is positioned higher than the Sonet sub 4m SUV and lower than the Seltos compact SUV

When Kia India launched its new sub-4m SUV Syros, it created quite a buzz. The Syros is quite unusual for the Indian market as it blends platforms, powertrains, features and creature comforts from other vehicles in Hyundai and Kia’s portfolio.

The gist of the Syros is that it’s a sub-4m SUV based on a modified version of the K1 platform seen on vehicles like the Santro, Exter, Grand i10 NIOS and Aura, while being as feature-rich as the Seltos. The Kia Syros has 8 new attributes that not even the Seltos has. Let’s take a look.

1. New design language

The Kia Syros adopts the company’s new design language, so the new product has its advantages. We saw a similar implementation of vertical headlights on the wheel arch cladding of the Kia Tasman pickup truck. The Syros has a boxy exterior profile with a truncated effect at the rear. Even inside, the Syros gets a new design theme, while the Seltos still looks the same as when it was launched.

2. Flush door handles

Visually, the Kia Syros features unique recessed door handles on all four doors. In comparison, both the Sonet sub 4m SUV and the Seltos compact SUV have conventional door handles. Notably, the door handles on the Syros do not pop up on their own, similar to the design found in the Tata Curvv and Curvv EV.

3. 30-inch trinity display

Inside, the Kia Syros offers something called a 30-inch Trinity display. It is the first to enable triple display in the sub-4m and compact segments. It consists of two 12.3-inch displays (one for infotainment and another for instrumentation) and a third 5-inch touchscreen for climate control functions. In comparison, even in the top-spec X Line trim, the Seltos comes with dual 10.2-inch displays.

4. Advanced Key

Kia is offering a new premium key with the Syros, which we recently saw on the Fiesta. It is a new shape and lighter weight. The touch and feel of the keys is very premium compared to what the Seltos offers, giving the Syros a new age and premium feel.

5. Rear ventilated seats

For the first time in the sub-4m and compact segments (covering all types), the Kia Syros offers the option of ventilated rear seats in addition to ventilated front seats. Both Seltos and Sonet come with ventilated seat feature only in the front row. That said, the Syros rear ventilated seats are not fully functional, as the ventilation is only for the thighs, not the backrests.

6. Rear sliding and reclining seats

The Kia Syros’ rear seats offer a lot of flexibility in top-spec trims. It features a seat back tilt function at a very wide angle for a laid-back and relaxing experience. Not only that, but the rear seat base slides forward and backward for the first time in this segment.

7. Flexible startup

As an extension of the sliding and reclining rear seats, the Kia Syros offers flexible luggage. Users can slide the seat base all the way forward and the seat back all the way up, freeing up a lot of storage space in the luggage compartment. Users can select comfort and gain excellent knee room and tilt when necessary. Boot space can be adjusted between 390L and 465L, something not found in the Seltos.

8. Turbo Gasoline Manual

For the first time, Kia is offering a turbo-petrol manual transmission with the Syros sub 4m SUV in India. The Seltos still comes with the NA petrol engine and is available only with a manual gearbox. However, the top-spec trim of the Syros is not available with a turbo-petrol manual combination.