The things I like best about the Syros are its large windows and slightly elevated seating, due to which you have excellent frontal and side view. The large panoramic sunroof adds to the sense of “airiness” and it’s because of this large glasshouse that I have been enjoying my commutes and ‘exploration drives’ around my city, Mumbai. This open atmosphere in the cabin will also be appreciated by those who get claustrophobic.

There are several other things I like about the Kia Syros, and few that I don’t.  The looks and styling appeal to me, especially because the designers have taken a somewhat different styling approach. But because it’s atypical, you either appreciate the fact that the designers have been adventurous, or you don’t care much for their endeavours.

From what I gather, quite a few fellow Indians have not quite taken to this styling. One reason could be the lack of a conventional grille and also the broad bumper that extends till the bonnet, with just a thin insert in between, acting as a separator. I suppose that people have not liked this flattish and somewhat uncommon face. The placement of the lights at the corners of the bumpers also increases the plain area. This much bare space in the front is more commonly found in EVs, and liking or getting used to this unusually flat face can be difficult I guess. For those who like muscle, there is a lot of black body cladding to give a rugged appearance.

The good thing though about the flattish design, is that it works in favour of interior space and volume. The Syros is also wider and taller than most other sub 4 meter vehicles and due to this; the interior is more spacious and has more headroom, legroom and shoulder room than expected. Yes, it’s definitely roomier inside, than its compact exterior dimensions suggest.

Even the rear seats are spacious and they slide and recline, and are ventilated too. All features that were appreciated by back seat occupants, whenever I had them. The boot space is also good and I like the cabin design and layout too. The Syros is packed with features and though I am not a big fan of digital displays, I must say its panoramic one has good graphics and various options of display styles to suit most tastes.

One other stand out aspect is the ease of ingress and egress. The door opening and seat height, along with the not so high floor, make getting in or out easy, and the aged, or those with hip or knee problems, will appreciate this. The flat bottom steering wheel also makes getting in and out of the driver’s seat easier and provides more vacant space above your knees or thighs, while driving or turning the steering too.

What I don’t like are the flush-fitting door handles, a design element that is getting increasingly common and popular. These handles are inconvenient as you have to first push for them to pop out, and then pull to open the door. Their slots or openings also have a tendency to accumulate dirt and look shabby whenever you pull open the handles. Honestly, these handles are not at all user friendly and I think manufacturers would be well advised to rethink them.

One thing I would like to come back to is the view from the inside, of the outside. This impressed me so much that I think the Kia Syros would be ideal for ‘exploration drives’ in the forest and for birding excursions. I have been wanting to go for a ‘jungle drive’ in the Syros for quite some time, but for some reason or other, this keeps getting postponed and is now part of my to do things in 2026. Birding in the Syros. Sounds good.

While I may not have been able to take the Syros to the forest, I have driven it enough to say that it is stable at speeds with predictable handling and steering response. The braking is assured, but the ride, especially at low speeds, is on the firmer side and this may be bothersome for some. I also found the diesel engine to be a tad more vocal than it should be, but the automatic transmission ensures timely upshifts, so the noise doesn’t get too intrusive in normal driving, or if you don’t rev the engine hard or push it to its limits. It’s fairly fuel efficient too, and though the ARAI claimed mileage is 17.65 kmpl, I got around 14 to 15 kmpl in my real life driving cycle.

The Kia Syros may not be the most agile and the engine may also not be very exuberant, but the overall performance is satisfying in a mature sort of manner. And here is the contrast or dichotomy – the styling is adventurous, youthful and fun, but the performance is restrained with the focus being on practicality. And maybe this along with its divided opinions kind of looks, is the reason that the Kia Syros is not as big a hit, as I think it deserves to be. More when I take this car that I am fond of, for an ‘Avian Observation Trip’.