The new Kia Syros will soon be unveiled in India, likely positioned just above the Sonet. Judging by a local trademark filing, this boxy little SUV could be on the cards for SA…
Think there’s no space between the Sonet and the Seltos? Well, a certain South Korean automaker disagrees, with the new Kia Syros set to slot in between these nameplates in the relatively near future.
Yes, Kia in India – the country that manufactures the Sonet and Seltos for the South African market – has released a fresh teaser video confirming the upcoming small SUV’s name, with a full reveal likely to take place relatively soon. So, will we see this newcomer in Mzansi?
Well, while it’s too early for Kia South Africa to comment specifically on the Syros, the firm’s local division did tell Cars.co.za 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.
In addition, 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 by no means a guarantee the brand will use the nameplate in question.
What do we know about the upcoming Kia Syros? Well, official information is hard to come by, with the teaser video simply describing the model as a “a new species of SUV”. The brand did, however, previously release a couple of shadowy teaser shots that confirm the new model will adopt particularly boxy proportions.
In addition, the folks over at Autocar India suggest this design – which isn’t dissimilar to the Soul still offered in certain international markets – will see interior space maximised, with a firm focus on rear-passenger room (despite likely measuring under 4 metres in length, making it similar in size to the Sonet).
The Indian publication furthermore speculates that the new Syros – which bears an internal codename of “AY” – will launch with internal combustion engines, with a fully electric version slated to follow (in India, at least) at a later date. Expect a full reveal either before the end of the year or early in 2025…
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