How does the Kia Syros stack up against established rivals like the Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Mahindra XUV300, and the upcoming Skoda Kylaq? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison.
The compact SUV segment in India is fiercely competitive, with automakers constantly pushing the boundaries to offer better features, performance, and value. Enter the 2025 Kia Syros, Kia’s latest offering that promises to raise the bar in this already crowded space. Positioned as a sub-4-metre SUV, the Syros aims to attract buyers with its futuristic design, spacious interiors, and cutting-edge features.
Table of Contents
1. Design and Styling
Kia Syros
The Syros draws heavy inspiration from Kia’s global EVs like the EV9 and EV3. With its upright, boxy nose, vertically stacked LED headlamps, and a unique drop-down LED DRL, the Syros stands out for its futuristic design. Its tallboy stance and blacked-out pillars give it a bold and modern appeal.
Hyundai Venue
The Venue boasts a more urban-centric design with sharp edges, a cascading grille, and split headlamps. While it’s modern and sleek, it doesn’t have the same bold SUV stance as the Syros.
Tata Nexon
The Nexon’s facelift brought a sharper front fascia, inspired by Tata’s Curvv concept. Its coupe-like roofline gives it a sporty edge, but it lacks the upright stance of the Syros.
Maruti Brezza
Maruti revamped the Brezza with a more rugged design, featuring squared-off wheel arches and LED DRLs. It has a solid road presence but leans more towards conventional SUV styling.
Mahindra XUV300
The XUV300 exudes Mahindra’s signature toughness, with a wide grille, prominent LED DRLs, and chunky proportions. However, it doesn’t look as futuristic as the Syros.
Winner: The Syros takes the lead with its EV-inspired, forward-looking design language.
2. Interior and Features
Kia Syros
The Syros interior is a game-changer in this segment. The dual 12.3-inch displays for the infotainment and instrument cluster, combined with a 5-inch climate control screen, create a premium cockpit-like experience. Key features include:
- Level 2 ADAS
- Panoramic sunroof
- All four ventilated seats
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Reclining rear seats with sliding function
Hyundai Venue
The Venue offers a well-rounded cabin with a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, a digital driver display, and wireless charging. However, it lacks rear-seat reclining and a panoramic sunroof.
Tata Nexon
Tata has packed the Nexon with features like a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch digital cluster, a JBL sound system, and ventilated front seats. However, its infotainment system isn’t as seamless as Kia’s.
Maruti Brezza
The Brezza gets a 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen, wireless phone charging, and a head-up display. While practical, it doesn’t feel as high-tech or premium as the Syros.
Mahindra XUV300
The XUV300 offers a sunroof, dual-zone climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen. It’s feature-rich but lacks the wow factor of the Syros.
Winner: The Syros dominates with its expansive feature list and premium feel.
3. Performance and Powertrains
Kia Syros
- 1.0-litre turbo-petrol: 120hp, 172Nm
- 1.5-litre diesel: 116hp, 250Nm
- Gearbox options: 6-speed manual, 7-speed DCT, and torque converter automatic
Hyundai Venue
- 1.0-litre turbo-petrol: 120hp
- 1.5-litre diesel: 116hp
- Similar performance specs as the Syros, but lacks the Syros’ refinement in NVH levels.
Tata Nexon
- 1.2-litre turbo-petrol: 120hp
- 1.5-litre diesel: 115hp
- Offers a unique 7-speed DCA gearbox, but the diesel is slightly less refined.
Maruti Brezza
- 1.5-litre petrol mild-hybrid: 103hp
- While efficient, it doesn’t offer a turbocharged engine or diesel option, limiting its appeal to performance enthusiasts.
Mahindra XUV300
- 1.2-litre turbo-petrol: 110hp
- 1.5-litre diesel: 117hp
- Offers torquey engines but falls slightly short in outright refinement.
Winner: The Syros holds an edge with its balanced powertrains and the inclusion of both petrol and diesel options.
4. Pricing and Value for Money
The Kia Syros is expected to cost around ₹1 lakh more than equivalent Sonet variants, putting its starting price in the ₹11 lakh–₹18 lakh range.
Hyundai Venue
Priced similarly to the Syros but misses out on some premium features like reclining rear seats and all-around ventilated seats.
Tata Nexon
The Nexon undercuts the Syros slightly, offering great value but without the same level of tech.
Maruti Brezza
The Brezza’s mild-hybrid system helps it stand out for efficiency, but it may feel overpriced compared to the feature-packed Syros.
Mahindra XUV300
The XUV300 is competitively priced but lacks the premium feel and futuristic features of the Syros.
Winner: While the final pricing is yet to be revealed, the Syros is poised to offer strong value for its premium features.
5. Safety Features
Kia Syros
The Syros sets a new benchmark in safety with its Level 2 ADAS suite, offering features like:
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
- Driver Attention Warning
Additionally, it comes with:
- 6 airbags (standard across all variants)
- 360-degree camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)
Hyundai Venue
The Venue provides decent safety features, including:
- 6 airbags on top variants
- ESC, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
- Rearview camera and parking sensors
However, it lacks the advanced ADAS features found in the Syros.
Tata Nexon
The Nexon excels in structural safety with a 5-star Global NCAP rating and offers features like:
- Electronic Traction Control
- Roll-Over Mitigation
- ISOFIX child-seat anchors
- Dual airbags (standard), with 6 airbags on higher trims
However, it misses out on advanced driver assistance systems.
Maruti Brezza
The Brezza includes:
- Dual airbags (standard), with 6 airbags on higher trims
- ESC, Hill Hold Assist
- 360-degree camera (top trims)
While practical, it doesn’t offer ADAS or a strong safety record like some rivals.
Mahindra XUV300
The XUV300 boasts a 5-star Global NCAP rating, with safety features like:
- 7 airbags (segment-first)
- Front parking sensors
- ESP with Roll-Over Mitigation
- ISOFIX child-seat mounts
However, it lacks the tech-forward safety of the Syros.
Winner: The Kia Syros takes the lead with its ADAS suite, offering tech-driven safety, while the XUV300 and Nexon impress with structural safety.
6. Comfort and Convenience Features
Kia Syros
The Syros raises the bar in comfort and convenience, featuring:
- Reclining and sliding rear seats with a center armrest
- All four ventilated seats (segment-first)
- Panoramic dual-pane sunroof
- Dual 12.3-inch displays (infotainment and instrument cluster)
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- OTA updates for the infotainment system
- 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- Powered driver’s seat
Hyundai Venue
The Venue offers good comfort features, including:
- Ventilated front seats
- Electric sunroof (single-pane)
- Wireless charging
- 10.25-inch touchscreen with Bluelink connectivity
However, it lacks the luxury of rear seat recline and ventilated rear seats.
Tata Nexon
The Nexon comes equipped with:
- Ventilated front seats
- Sunroof (single-pane)
- JBL sound system
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
While feature-packed, it doesn’t have the rear seat flexibility of the Syros.
Maruti Brezza
The Brezza provides:
- Head-up display (unique in the segment)
- Rear AC vents
- 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen
Its features are practical but feel a step behind the Syros’ offerings.
Mahindra XUV300
The XUV300 includes:
- Dual-zone climate control
- Sunroof (single-pane)
- 7-inch touchscreen
Though it’s well-equipped, it feels dated compared to the tech-rich Syros.
Winner: The Kia Syros wins with its premium and segment-first comfort features, providing an almost luxury-SUV-like experience.
Verdict: Is the Kia Syros the New Compact SUV Champion?
The Kia Syros enters the market as a well-rounded, feature-packed, and premium option in the compact SUV space. Its futuristic design, tech-forward interior, and versatile powertrains give it a distinct advantage over competitors. While rivals like the Tata Nexon and Hyundai Venue remain strong contenders, the Syros’ focus on rear-seat comfort and advanced technology may make it the preferred choice for families and tech enthusiasts alike.
If you’re looking for a compact SUV that delivers on style, space, and substance, the Kia Syros is worth the wait. With bookings starting January 3 and deliveries in February, it’s time to get excited about what could be your next SUV!
What do you think of the Kia Syros? Does it beat its rivals in your eyes? Let us know in the comments below!
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