The new Kia Syros is scheduled to launch in South Africa in 2026, with the brand’s local boss suggesting petrol, diesel and fully electric powertrains could be on offer…
- New Syros scheduled to launch in SA in 2026
- Petrol, diesel and EV powertrains mentioned
- Syros set to slot in between Sonet and Seltos
The new Kia Syros is expected to launch in South Africa in the latter part of 2026, with the South Korean brand’s local CEO suggesting petrol, diesel and fully electric powertrains could all be on offer.
Paul Turnbull, Chief Executive Officer of Kia South Africa since July 2024, was speaking during an interview conducted in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s recent South African Auto Week 2025 in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.
“The [model] that hasn’t been spoken about a lot but is actually quite interesting is the Syros,” Turnbull said, adding this boxy model would be sourced from India and confirming it would be positioned between the likewise Anantapur-built Sonet and Seltos.
“The Syros almost looks a little bit like the old Kia Soul – it’s quite a retro, funky car. Interestingly on that car, we can get petrol, EV and diesel. And it’s going to be not entry-level but [still] sub-R500 000. So, it will be the first car we’re going to have petrol, diesel and EV on offer,” Turnbull told us.
“We’re quite excited about that. We [Kia South Africa] can only start ordering from June [2026] onwards so that [launch] will be in the latter half of next year [2026],” he added.
Revealed late in 2024 (with production commencing in India in January 2025), the boxy Syros rides on what the South Korean firm describes as a “reinforced” version of the K1 architecture, a platform that also underpins pint-sized Hyundai siblings like the Grand i10 and Exter.
However, the Syros is very similar in size to the Sonet above which it will be positioned. In fact, the 3 995-mm-long Syros is only slightly wider and taller than that model, while its 2 550 mm wheelbase is just 50 mm lengthier.
What about the engine options Turnbull mentioned? Well, in India, Kia currently offers the Syros with the choice of 2 powertrains. The first is a turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine (1.0 T-GDi) that sends 88 kW and 172 Nm to the front axle via either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Buyers in that market 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 gearbox with the same number of gears.
The fully electric version of the Syros has yet to be revealed, with Indian media suggesting an unveiling will take place in the opening quarter of 2026. Though powertrain specifications have not been confirmed, Autocar India speculates the Syros EV will likely borrow the Hyundai Inster’s 42 kWh and 49 kWh battery pack options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When is the Kia Syros scheduled to launch in South Africa?
A: The Kia Syros is expected to launch in South Africa in the latter part of 2026.
Q: What powertrain options could be available for the Kia Syros in South Africa?
A: Kia South Africa’s CEO suggested that petrol, diesel and fully electric (EV) powertrains could all be on offer, making it the first Kia model in the market with this triple-powertrain availability. In India, it currently offers a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol and a 1.5-litre turbodiesel.
Q: How will the Kia Syros be positioned in Kia’s model lineup in South Africa?
A: The Kia Syros will be positioned between the Sonet and the Seltos. It is expected to be priced sub-R500 000, making it not entry-level but an affordable offering in its segment.
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