A Six-footer’s Rear-seat Experience Of New Kia Syros

Kia India recently debuted its new sub-4 metre offering, the Syros, with prices ranging from Rs 9 lakh and Rs 17.80 lakh (introductory, ex-showroom). It sports a slew of features that were not seen before, particularly those for the rear-seat passengers. Not to mention the seating experience and space the rear seat has to offer, irrespective of the height of the occupants. During the media drive of the Kia Syros, we not only experienced it in real life but also tried out the rear-seat space. And here is our first impression.

Kia Syros Rear-seat Experience: Size Does Not Matter!

For the first time in the sub-4 metre segment, the Syros offers sliding and reclining seat functionality for the rear seat alongside seat ventilation. Thanks to the 75 mm travel for sliding, the rear seat is comfortable even for a six-footer, while reasonably tall passengers can enjoy ample rear-seat space, especially knee room. There is also a usable recline angle to make you more comfortable. Given that plus-size passengers would also be comfortable. When the rear seat is moved all the back and completely reclined, a 6.5-foot passenger can enjoy the spacious legroom even with a 6-footer in the driver's seat. Despite this laid-back seating position, the Syros offers a boot space of up to 390 litres. It is worth noting that the standard boot space stands at 385 litres.

In terms of features, the rear-seat passengers can keep cool with the rear-seat ventilation function. Unlike the front seat ventilation, this function provides under-thigh cooling, omitting backrest cooling. But the catch is that the seats are barely contoured and three passengers will not be comfortable even for short weekend drives.

Kia Syros: Overview

Kia offers the Syros in six variants, namely HTK, HTK (O), HTK+, HTX, HTX+, and HTX+ (O) across eight paint schemes Frost Blue, Intense Red, Glacier White, Aurora Black, Pewter Olive, Sparkling Silver, Gravity Grey, and Imperial Blue.

The key features of the Syros include a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system a 12.3-inch driver display, a 5-inch display for climate control, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a panoramic sunroof, an 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a powered driver’s seat, sunblinds for windows, front and rear seat ventilation, 64 colours ambient lighting, a wireless charging pad, USB Type-C ports, and connected car tech.

The safety features of the Syros are front, side and rear parking sensors, Level 2 ADAS, 6 airbags, hill hold assist, a 360-degree camera, electronic stability programme (ESP), a dual dashcam setup, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and an electronic parking brake with auto hold.

Kia Syros: Powertrain

There are two choices of powertrain available with the Syros with an option of manual or automatic transmission.

Kia Syros: Pricing And Rivals

The prices of the Syros start from Rs 9 lakh and go up to Rs 17.80 lakh (ex-showroom). Meanwhile, it competes with the likes of the Skoda Kylaq, Tata Nexon, Kia Sonet, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Skoda Kylaq, Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Maruti Suzuki Fronx, and Toyota Taisor.

Overall, the Kia Syros not only offers a unique design, upmarket interior, and an ocean of features but also practicality and comfort for the rear-seat passengers. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Syros offers a spacious rear-seat experience along with a few amenities that are the cherry on the cake.

Would you pick the Kia Syros over its competitors? Let us know in the comments.