The Kia Syros diesel automatic utilizes a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder CRDi engine, delivering 114 bhp at 4,000 rpm and a healthy 250 Nm of torque from 1,500 to 2,750 rpm. Paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission, the driving experience is quite refined. Navigating city traffic, like the bustling roads of Gurugram, is effortless thanks to the engine's smooth power delivery. I particularly appreciated the 'crawl' function in traffic jams. It allowed the Syros to travel at sub 10 kmph speed as soon as you lifted your foot from the brake pedal.

Out on the highway, the Syros diesel AT feels adequately powered for cruising and overtaking. The transmission is responsive, shifting down smoothly when you need to make a quick pass. The option to use the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel provides a more engaging driving experience when desired. The availability of Eco, Normal, and Sport drive modes allows you to tailor the car's responsiveness to your liking. While the engine is generally smooth, it does become a bit vocal if you push it beyond like 60-70 kmph.

Ride and Handling:

The Kia Syros is built on a reinforced version of a familiar platform, and the suspension is tuned with comfort in mind. It does a commendable job of absorbing the usual bumps and undulations you encounter on city streets. While the ride is generally comfortable, I did notice that the firmness of the suspension, especially on variants with the larger 17-inch wheels, can be felt on particularly rough patches of road.

The electric power steering is light and makes maneuvering the Syros in urban environments quite easy. While it's smooth and effortless for city driving and parking, it doesn't offer a lot of feedback from the road. The car feels planted and mature, even at highway speeds. The brakes provide good stopping power, inspiring confidence. Ground clearance seems sufficient for tackling speed breakers and even some light off-road situations. The inclusion of terrain modes like Snow, Mud, and Sand suggests it has some capability to handle varied surfaces.

Stepping inside the Kia Syros, you'll find a cabin that makes excellent use of space. It comfortably accommodates four adults, with good headroom, legroom, and shoulder room, especially in the rear.

The rear seats also offer a sliding and reclining function on the higher trims, which is a welcome addition for adjusting passenger comfort and luggage space. The boot capacity is impressive, ranging from 390 to 465 litres depending on the rear seat configuration.

The dashboard design is clean and functional, following a familiar Kia/Hyundai aesthetic. While the dashboard itself doesn't feature soft-touch materials, the armrests and door pads are covered in leather.

Higher-end variants boast features like a panoramic sunroof, a premium 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, ventilated seats for both front and rear occupants, sunshades for the rear windows, a large 30-inch panoramic display panel, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a built-in dashcam with front and rear recording. The driver's seat offers 4-way power adjustment, and the steering wheel is adjustable for height.

The Kia Syros makes a bold statement with its radical exterior design. The front is dominated by Kia's signature digital tiger face, along with striking vertically oriented Star Map LED DRLs that also function as turn indicators. The ice cube MFR LED headlamps are positioned on the bumper, which is an unconventional design choice. The overall look is enhanced by matte silver skid plates at the front and rear, flared wheel arches, and a generous amount of black plastic cladding, giving it a rugged appearance.

While the Syros is a sub-4 meter SUV, it feels wider and taller than some of its competitors, contributing to its presence on the road. The build quality and fit and finish appear to be very good. However, the unique styling, particularly the placement of the headlights, is something that might divide opinions, and I did have a slight concern about their vulnerability in heavy traffic.

Kia Syros comes equipped with 6 airbags, ABS, brake force assist system (BAS), electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management (VSM), hill-start assist control, TPMS, parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. A standout feature in this segment is the inclusion of Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), offering 16 autonomous features. While the official Global NCAP rating is pending, the comprehensive safety equipment is a significant plus.

The Syros is all function and less about style. Kia has done some pretty solid groundwork before launching this quite impressive offering, if only it was about a lakh or so cheaper. Its top variants make little sense as above 15 lakhs you get into Safari/Harrier/XUV700 territory. But below like 13 lakhs or so it offers a lot of value for money with its space and diesel engine being its biggest USPs.