New Kia Syros revealed (but will it come to SA)?

This is the new Kia Syros, a small boxy model described as a “new species of SUV”. And, from where we’re sitting, it looks likely to be on the table for South Africa…

Meet the new Kia Syros, revealed in India and potentially in line for South Africa. Described as a “new species of SUV”, this boxy model is built on what the South Korean firm calls a “reinforced” version of the K1 platform, an architecture that also underpins pint-sized Hyundai siblings like the Grand i10 and Exter.

So, will we see this newcomer in Mzansi? Well, Kia South Africa earlier didn’t rule out the possibility, telling Cars.co.za in November 2024 that it “will look at all product made available to SA in right-hand drive and evaluate all possibilities” to ensure it brings in “the right product at the right price” for the local market.

Furthermore, it’s interesting to note the automaker’s head office in Seoul applied to trademark the “Syros” badge locally in March 2024, with the status currently listed as “pending”. Of course, we should point out that an application to protect a badge is no guarantee the brand will use the nameplate in question.

The new Syros is set to slot into the (narrow) gap between the likewise Indian-made Sonet and Seltos, though is very similar in size to the former. Indeed, the 3 995-mm-long Syros is only slightly wider and taller than the Sonet, while its 2 550 mm wheelbase is 50 mm lengthier.

Though the exterior design is seemingly inspired by the likes of the fully EV3 and EV9, the boxy silhouette is not dissimilar to that of the Soul (a model no longer built in right-hand drive). These proportions, however, unlock what appears to be a more practical cabin than that of the Sonet.

Indeed, Kia says the Syros boasts “first in-segment” sliding, reclining and ventilated 60:40-split seats at the rear, along with other big-car features, such as a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a Harman Kardon sound system, wireless smartphone charging and various driver-assistance systems.

Standard safety features for the Syros in the world’s most populous nation include electronic stability control, hill-start assist and 6 airbags. The Indian-spec model’s cabin furthermore features a whopping 30-inch panoramic display panel along with 64-colour ambient lighting and a 4-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat.

What about engine options? Well, in India, Kia will offer the new Syros with the choice of 2 powertrains. The first is a turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine (1.0 T-GDi) sending 88 kW and 172 Nm to the front axle via either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Buyers will also have the option of a 1.5-litre turbodiesel motor (1.5 CRDi VGT) directing 85 kW and 250 Nm to the front wheels through either a 6-speed manual cog-swapper or a torque-converter automatic ‘box with the same number of gears.

Customer deliveries in India are expected to start in February 2025, so if the Syros does end up getting the official nod for South Africa, we’d expect it to arrive towards the very end of 2025 or – perhaps more likely – only in 2026.