Kia Syros EV Expert Review

The Kia Syros EV looks largely similar to its ICE counterpart, with only subtle EV-specific changes. These include a slightly redesigned front bumper, a slimmer cooling slot, revised fog-lamp housings, a charging port on the front-left fender, and an EV badge on the tailgate. The battery pack is visible beneath the vehicle, though Kia claims 197mm of ground clearance, which is 7mm more than the ICE Syros. The upright, boxy proportions, vertical headlights and distinctive lighting elements remain.

Cabin space remains one of the Syros EV’s strongest attributes. Moving the drive selector to the steering column has allowed Kia to redesign the centre console with significantly more storage, including multiple cupholders, a wireless charger and a large lower storage area. The front seats are supportive and comfortable and offer heating, ventilation and four-way powered adjustment for the driver. Material quality, fit and finish are impressive despite the extensive use of hard plastics. Rear-seat space is generous, and the sliding and reclining bench remains a highlight. However, the battery raises the floor slightly, reducing thigh support compared with the ICE version. Boot capacity remains unchanged at 390 litres with the rear bench fully back and 465 litres with it slid forward, while a small 16-litre frunk provides additional storage.

The Syros EV is very well equipped, featuring Kia’s Trinity Panoramic Display comprising two 12.3-inch screens and a 5-inch HVAC display. The infotainment system offers dedicated EV information, charger location, battery pre-conditioning and charging schedules, along with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Higher variants also get an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, panoramic sunroof and integrated dashcam. The top-spec X-Line adds Level 2 ADAS, a 360-degree camera, ambient lighting and a three-pin household-style socket. Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, tyre-pressure monitoring and Isofix mounts. The comprehensive ADAS suite includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, collision avoidance systems and a blind-spot camera.

The Syros EV is offered with 42kWh and 51.4kWh battery packs, both powering a single front-mounted motor. The smaller battery version produces 135hp, while the Extended Range version makes 171hp; both generate 255Nm of torque. The 51.4kWh version has a claimed 0-100kph time of 8.1 seconds and delivers brisk performance. Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes progressively sharpen throttle response, but power delivery remains smooth and linear initially before delivering stronger acceleration deeper into the pedal travel. The regenerative braking system is particularly well calibrated, with clearly differentiated levels and a seamless one-pedal driving mode. Refinement is also good, with very little motor noise entering the cabin, though some road noise is more noticeable because of the otherwise quiet powertrain.

The 42kWh Syros EV has a claimed MIDC range of 443km, while the 51.4kWh Extended Range version is rated at 526km. Based on experience with other models using the same battery setup, the Extended Range version should be capable of around 400km in real-world driving, though this was not verified during the short test drive. Charging from 10-80 percent using a 100kW DC fast charger is claimed to take 39 minutes. With the optional 11kW AC wallbox, the same charge takes around four hours for the Standard Range version and close to five hours for the Extended Range.

The Syros EV rides slightly better than the ICE version, absorbing sharp bumps more effectively, although an underlying firmness remains. This helps body control, but its tall and narrow proportions result in noticeable body roll through corners. Despite this, overall grip is strong and the car feels stable at speed. The steering has good feel and gains weight as speeds increase, improving highway confidence. Four-wheel disc brakes provide strong stopping performance. The Syros EV is not especially entertaining to drive, but it feels secure, predictable and easy to manoeuvre in urban conditions.

The Syros EV is priced from Rs 13.5 lakh for the 42kWh version, while the 51.4kWh Extended Range starts at Rs 17 lakh and the fully loaded X-Line costs Rs 20 lakh. A Battery-as-a-Service scheme is also offered, with prices starting at Rs 7.99 lakh plus battery rental of Rs 3.3 per kilometre. The 42kWh version makes a particularly strong case thanks to its spacious cabin, generous equipment and competitive pricing against similarly sized EVs. However, the value proposition becomes less convincing with the 51.4kWh version, which overlaps with larger electric models offering bigger batteries. While the Syros EV remains spacious, well equipped and capable, buyers at the upper end of the range may be tempted by larger alternatives available for similar money.