The Syros is the latest head-turner from Kia in India, with prices starting from Rs 9 lakh (ex-showroom). It packs two engine options and a trio of transmissions: a 6-speed manual, a 7-speed DCT, and a 6-speed torque converter automatic. However, if you're eyeing the top-spec variant with all the bells and whistles, you won’t be able to get the good ol’slick shifter. Wondering why? We have detailed it next.

Kia Syros: The Transmission Buffet

Unlike the mid-spec HTK+ and HTX, the top variants such as the HTX+ and HTX+ (O) come without a manual transmission. They have a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and a 6-speed torque converter automatic option. The DCT paired with the 1-litre turbo petrol engine provides for quicker gear changes and smoother acceleration, which helps in negotiating tight turns, city roads, and highway overtakes.  

The 6-speed torque converter automatic paired with the 1.5-litre diesel engine, on the other hand, also offers a smoother, more dependable ride, especially in stop-and-go traffic, and is a better choice for durability over time.  

The 1-litre turbo-petrol engine produces an output of 120 PS and 172 Nm, while the 1.5-litre diesel engine returns 116 PS and 250 Nm.

Kia Syros Overview

The Kia Syros is making rounds in discussions currently, owing to its all-new design language for a Kia car. It's boxy, and in the same way, it's either unique to some or just weird to a few. However, it does pack in so many features that it even competes with one or two segments above.

Inside is where you find all the amenities, including 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 5-inch screens for the digital driver's display, climate control, a four-way power-adjustable driver's seat, ambient lighting with up to 64 colours, ventilated front and rear seats, an 8-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, a wireless phone charger and auto up/down functionality on all windows.

Safety is ensured by six standard airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control (ESC), a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), ISOFIX child seat mounts, a 360-degree camera, a dual dashcam setup, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, and level-2 ADAS.

The Syros have brought in things in a way that could only be imagined as concept elements a few years ago. While fitting into the sub-4m segment it does things on par with a segment or two higher. If you want to explore what it exactly feels like to be on board in this new Kia SUV, you can have a thorough reading of that here.

The prices for the Syros go from Rs 9 lakh to Rs 17.8 lakh, and you can find the breakup in this article. At this price point, it rivals potential SUVs like Tata Nexon and Curvv, Hyundai Venue and Creta, Maruti Brezza and Grand Vitara, and the Mahindra XUV 3XO, in a pretty impressive manner. 

Now, about driving in the suburbs of India – an automatic just makes life a little bit easier for you. But if you are an enthusiast, we reckon you may well miss that left hand doing the honours yourself, playing with that manual lever. It puts you more in command of your personal four wheels. It comes down to your needs whether you want the Syros more for your family and office commutes or if you want to run it down with the maniac bug in your head. We'd love to hear from you. Tell us in the comments!