Kia Syros real-world fuel economy tested, explained

The Kia Syros slots between the midsize Seltos and the sub-4-metre Sonet in Kia’s Indian line-up. With its boxy design, the Syros' aim is to maximise cabin space and practicality. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive features list, multiple powertrain options, and pricing that ranges from Rs 9.50 lakh to Rs 17.80 lakh, giving buyers plenty of choice.

1. Automatic versions get drive modes
2. Misses auto engine stop-start
3. 85-95kg heavier than a comparable Sonet

Kia Syros powertrain options

Petrol-MT, Petrol-DCT, Diesel-AT tested

Under the hood, the sub-4-metre Syros is powered by either a 120hp, 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, direct-injection turbo-petrol engine, available with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic or a 116hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine paired with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter. This review focuses on fuel efficiency, based on real-world testing of the turbo-petrol manual and automatic and the diesel-automatic variant.

Before delving into the efficiency figures, it’s worth noting that the Syros, built on Kia’s reinforced K1 platform, is approximately 85-95kg heavier than the Sonet; they share the powertrains, but the latter is underpinned by the lighter K2 platform.

Kia Syros real world fuel efficiency explained

While the automatic variants offer selectable drive modes, like an Eco mode, neither version comes with automatic engine stop-start, which could help reduce fuel consumption while idling. Kia claims fuel efficiency figures of 18.20kpl for the turbo-petrol manual, 17.68kpl for the turbo-petrol automatic, and 17.65kpl for the diesel-automatic.

However, in our city tests, the turbo-petrol manual returned just 9.10kpl, while the automatic delivered an even lower 8.30kpl, significantly below the segment average. The diesel-automatic performed slightly better, achieving 10.80kpl.

The short-geared turbo-automatic version’s highway efficiency was merely 11.50kpl, while the manual version was marginally better at 12.60kpl. For reference, while cruising at 100kph, the turbo-automatic’s engine is spinning at 2,200rpm in seventh gear, while the turbo-manual is at 2,400rpm in sixth. Once again, the diesel-automatic’s highway fuel efficiency was better than the turbo-petrol version, returning 13.60kpl. The diesel-automatic’s engine spins at 2,000rpm in sixth gear at 100kph.

Autocar India’s fuel efficiency testing

Before our real-world fuel efficiency tests, we fill our test cars’ tanks to the brim and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. These cars are driven in fixed city and highway loops in and around Navi Mumbai, and we maintain certain average speeds. Throughout the tests, there is only one person in each car, running the aircon and other electricals, such as the audio system, indicators and wipers, when required, just like a regular user would. Periodic driver swaps further neutralise variations in driver patterns. At the end of each cycle, we calculate efficiency by filling the tanks to full again.

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