I spent two months with the Kia Syros HTX Plus (O) 1.0-litre turbo 7DCT, clocking 2517 km and while it may not be the most striking car to look at, it proved itself to be one of the most practical and city-friendly compact SUVs we’ve had on the MotorBeam long-term fleet. The Syros blends convenience, comfort and technology in a way that makes daily commutes smoother – though not without a few quirks.
The first impression of the Kia Syros often splits opinion. It’s not the most exciting design in its class. What really draws attention, however, is the Frost Blue shade – it receives plenty of compliments.
The flush door handles deserve a mention too. They look sophisticated and lend a premium touch, though they aren’t the most intuitive to use. For those unfamiliar with the push-pull mechanism, opening the doors can take a moment to figure out. If the handles automatically popped out upon unlocking, like the new Seltos, the experience would’ve been far more user-friendly.
Step inside and the Syros makes a strong impression with its minimalistic and modern interior design. The dashboard layout is clean, uncluttered and easy on the eyes. The highlight is undoubtedly the 30-inch trinity panoramic display panel, which combines a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 5-inch climate control screen. The displays are crisp, responsive and feel well integrated.
That said, while the triple-screen layout looks very cool on paper and in pictures, the third screen for climate control isn’t the easiest to view while driving. The left side of the steering wheel partially blocks it, which means you often have to move your head slightly to the side to see it properly. It’s not a dealbreaker but it does take away a bit from the otherwise well-thought-out cockpit design.
Audio quality is another big plus. The 8-speaker Harman Kardon system offers excellent clarity and depth, making long hours in traffic far more bearable. The cabin genuinely feels like a calm, tech-savvy cocoon during stressful commutes in city traffic.
City driving is where the Syros truly shines. The light steering, smooth-shifting 7-speed DCT and the auto hold function make it effortless to drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic and tight parking situations. Features like ventilated front and rear seats and the 360-degree camera quickly become essentials rather than luxuries. A point to note, even the new generation Seltos misses out on rear seat ventilation!
Under the hood, the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 120 PS and 172 Nm feels well suited for urban use. There’s enough punch for quick overtakes and the Eco, Normal and Sport modes offer clearly noticeable differences in throttle response and gearbox behaviour. Paddle shifters add an extra layer of engagement, especially in Sport mode.
Over our long-term usage we got the best city efficiency of 13.8 km/l, worst city efficiency of 10.48 km/l and average city efficiency of 11-12 km/l. On the Delhi-Lucknow-Delhi highway run, the Syros returned an impressive ~18 km/l and on one late-night 40 km airport run and return, driven with a very light foot, we even saw 20 km/l, which is quite commendable for a turbo-petrol paired with a DCT.
Highway stability is generally good on smooth expressways, where the car feels planted and confident at cruising speeds. However, when you encounter bumps, expansion joints or undulations, you need to be cautious and ease off. The rear suspension tends to feel bouncy and slowing down over uneven surfaces helps maintain comfort and control.
Rear seat space is one of the Syros’s strongest points. There’s ample legroom and headroom and ingress and egress are especially comfortable for elderly passengers. The sliding and reclining rear seats add a lot of flexibility depending on whether you prioritise comfort or cargo.
Boot space is another highlight. With the rear seats in their regular position, the boot easily accommodates three full-size suitcases. Slide the rear seats all the way forward and you can add a couple more suitcases without much effort, making it very practical for airport runs and family road trips. Boot capacity ranges from 390 litres to 465 litres, depending on seat position.
Kia has loaded the Syros with features and many of them genuinely enhance daily usability. Over time, we’ve grown particularly fond of Level 2 ADAS, which works well in predictable traffic scenarios, panoramic sunroof, adding to the airy cabin feel, 4-way power-adjustable driver seat, wireless charging pad, built-in air purifier, which feels especially relevant given rising pollution levels in Delhi.
After two months and over 2500 km of living with the Kia Syros HTX Plus (O), it’s clear that this crossover is designed for real-world convenience rather than flashy appeal. It’s easy to drive, packed with usable tech, efficient enough when driven sensibly and spacious for family duties.
Yes, the rear suspension could be better tuned, the flush door handles demand a learning curve and the climate control screen placement isn’t ideal. But taken as a whole, the Syros stands out as a smart, comfortable and well-equipped city companion – a car that quietly makes everyday driving simpler, even if it doesn’t shout for attention.
