Kia has been on a roll in India, striking the right chord with buyers across segments. The latest addition to its SUV portfolio is the Kia Syros. I spent around four weeks with the Syros Petrol MT and drove it around 1000 Km in this duration. In this article, I am going to share my views on this SUV. So, does the Syros MT make sense in a market slowly leaning towards automatics? Let’s dive into the details.
Design That Turns Heads
Kia has nailed the styling with the Syros. It’s got a modern, youthful vibe that makes it stand out on the road. The sleek LED DRLs, signature Kia grille, and well-sculpted lines give it a bold presence. In fact, from some angles, it looks more expensive than it actually is. Alloy wheels, roof rails, and a slightly upright stance give it a touch of ruggedness without overdoing it.
The rear styling is also fresh with connected tail lamps and a clean tailgate design. Overall, the Syros gets a big thumbs-up in terms of exterior appeal— especially for those looking for a stylish yet compact urban SUV.
Cabin Quality & Features – Kia Knows Its Audience
Step inside, and you’re greeted with a well-appointed cabin. The dashboard design is clean, functional, and premium-looking. Kia has used soft-touch materials in key areas, and the quality levels are class-leading at this price point.
The infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay works seamlessly. You also get steering-mounted controls, a reverse camera, rear AC vents, and a digital instrument cluster. Though it’s not overloaded with features like some rivals, it gets the essentials right.
One small gripe — the base and mid variants with the manual transmission miss out on some top-end tech like rear seat ventilation, Level 2 ADAS, electric parking brake or wireless charging. But for buyers focused on practicality, this is still a very value-rich cabin.
Manual Transmission – A Balanced Performer
The Syros MT feels adequately powered with a 1-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The turbocharger kicks in near 1800-2000 RPM and the car feels quite enthusiastic once you are in this band. However, if you are fuel-efficiency-minded and upshift quickly to keep the car in lower revs, the car feels a bit dull to drive. The weight of the car, being a large and heavy car with a strong build and 5-Star rated safety, is on the higher side is reflected in the performance. To elaborate on the same, the car takes some effort to gain speed from a standstill, but once it is in motion, the momentum makes you feel like it’s gliding on the road, much like you feel in much bigger and heavier cars.
By choosing the manual, you are choosing more control over the car and how it should drive, but you are letting go of the convenience which comes with an automatic. Also, choosing an MT over an AT with Syros, you are saving close to Rs. 1.5 lakhs on the on-road price, which is a lot, especially for more budget-conscious buyers. Also, if you are a tech-minded buyer looking for higher trims with all the bells and whistles, the MT only gets you up to mid variants, and hence, it may not be the variant of your choice. So in short, there is a trade-off here, and you need to understand your needs before making this decision of Syros MT VS AT.
Ride, Handling & Efficiency
Syros suspension is tuned for comfort, and it shows. The Syros glides over bad roads and potholes without unsettling the cabin. The steering is light for city use and weighs up decently at higher speeds. Body-roll is noticeable especially around corners because of the tall-boy design and higher ride height in comparison to its own siblings aka Sonet and Seltos. On the plus side, the ride is generally softer and the cabin size is much more spacious compared to the Sonet. Handling is acceptably good, but not as sharp as Sonet or Seltos. So it is again a trade-off when compared to its own sibling SUVs.
Talking of fuel efficiency, the car gave around 10-12 KMPL in the city and 15-18 KMPL on highways, with a mixed mileage of around 12-15 KMPL in most scenarios, which is higher by around 2 KMPL compared to the AT version, which we used few weeks ago, so fuel efficiency benefits are noticeable.
Verdict – Who Should Buy the Syros Petrol Manual?
If you’re looking for a well-designed, practical, safe and comfortable compact SUV with decent fuel efficiency and don’t mind shifting gears, the Kia Syros Petrol Manual is a solid option. It’s especially suited for city dwellers, young professionals, and small families who prioritize space, safety, value and reliability.
While the automatic variants offer added convenience, the manual Syros is lighter on the wallet, both in terms of purchase cost and running expense.
Also Read: Kia Syros Petrol Manual vs Automatic – Which One To Pick?
