Kia Syros vs rival SUB 4m SUV

Although the most outstanding feature of the Kia Syros in the space of an SUV under 4m is the ventilation of the rear seats, only the thighs are ventilated and the backrests are not ventilated.

While Kia India has been selling the Sonet sub 4m SUV for some time now, the company felt the need to launch a second product in this segment. Enter the Syros SUV, which is based on a platform shared with lower-end vehicles but packs in features and technology from the premium segment. It’s an interesting mix and match and the Syros doesn’t look like anything else available in the Indian market.

This will either prove beneficial to the brand or may appear radical. The interior of the Syros is quite nice as it looks modern and upscale. While design and appeal are subjective, we can compare objective factors like size, storage, specs, performance, and features to direct competitors to see how the Syros fares.

Kia Syros vs. competitors

Comparing Kia’s Syros with the Sonet, the Syros has a clear advantage in terms of space and size. However, competition in the SUV space under 4m is very fierce. The Syros is as wide as the Nexon, but narrower than the XUV3XO. The Syros is a tall design and its highlight element, but the Brezza is slightly taller. Kia hasn’t revealed the Syros’ ground clearance yet.

The Syros has a wheelbase advantage over the other smaller K1 and K2 platform vehicles in the Hyundai Group, but the Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV3XO have longer wheelbases. The wheel size of the Kia Syros reaches 17 inches, which is comparable to the wheel sizes offered by Skoda and Mahindra. It is worth noting that the Brezza comes standard with 16-inch wheels and 215-section tires.

All contenders in this segment follow the general formula of being a high-travel front-wheel-drive vehicle, and the Syros is no exception. However, only the Syros and Sonet offer ESP-based traction mode and automatic variants. Only the Nexon and XUV3XO have been crash tested and they are both 5-star vehicles. Syros’s Boot is the largest, but it has adjustments. Without adjustments, the Kylaq would stand out.

On paper, the Brezza has the largest engine, but it’s also the least powerful because it lacks forced induction (turbo). The Syros shares its powertrain with the Venue and Sonet and offers a slightly unique gearbox combination. The XUV3XO remains the highest performing in the segment. Just like the Venue and Sonet, the Syros also has a diesel engine option, which the Brezza and Kylaq completely lack.

Which one has more functions?

In terms of safety, the Kia Syros is slightly ahead of the XUV3XO’s camera-based Level-2 ADAS (with radar-based system). The only other contenders for ADAS are Sonet and Venue, which have camera-based Level-1 systems. It’s worth noting that only the XUV3XO comes standard with rear disc brakes. All competitors except the Brezza are equipped with TPMS.

The Kia Syros misses out on fog lights, while the Nexon is the only model to get cornering lights. The Nexon, Syros and XUV3XO offer a panoramic sunroof (if that’s your thing). Brezza, Syros, Venue and Sonet still don’t offer rain-sensing wipers. The XUV3XO is the only one in the segment to feature dual-zone climate control. Brezza, XUV3XO and Kylaq miss out on air purifiers.

Brezza, Venue and XUV3XO lack ventilated seats, while Syros, Sonet, Nexon and Kylaq offer ventilated seats. The Syros is the only one to offer rear seat ventilation, but only for the thighs, not the backrests. Surprisingly, the Venue still misses out on auto-dimming IRVM. Both Kylaq and Venue miss out on 360-degree cameras. Syros and Venue N Line offer dash cams.

Syros has rear seat ventilation!

The Venue has the smallest 8-inch infotainment screen and interestingly the Sonet misses out on wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Other companies offer larger 10-inch systems with integrated wireless smartphones. Only the Brezza has a HUD, which is a very useful feature. Kia is the only brand to offer rear window sunshades on the Syros and Sonet.

Power-adjustable driver’s seat is available on Sonet, Syros, Venue and Kylaq. All vehicles in this segment come with front and rear armrests. Syros One-ups feature rear reclining and sliding seats, providing the flexibility of more space or a larger trunk.