Kia Syros: I’ve driven plenty of EVs lately – some thrilling, others thoroughly forgettable. The new Kia Syros EV, however, sits in a category all its own. After spending a week with this compact electric crossover, navigating everything from chaotic city streets to serene coastal highways, I’m convinced Kia has crafted something special. Neither overly futuristic nor boringly conventional, the Syros EV strikes that elusive sweet spot of practical innovation.
A Familiar Face with Electric Attitude
Park the electric Syros beside its combustion counterpart, and you’ll spot the differences immediately – though they’re tastefully subtle. The closed-off front grille features an intricate pattern that lights up to create a “breathing” effect when you approach with the key. The unique aerodynamic wheels (19-inchers on my test vehicle) reduce drag without looking awkwardly futuristic.
What truly stands out is the vibrant color palette – my tester came in what Kia calls “Electric Yellow” with a contrasting black roof. It’s bold without being garish, turning plenty of heads during my weekend grocery runs. The flush door handles emerge elegantly when needed, a premium touch that also helps with aerodynamic efficiency.
Inside: Digital Minimalism Done Right
Stepping into the Syros EV’s cabin feels like entering a thoughtfully designed tech lounge. The dashboard, dominated by two 12.3-inch screens under a single curved glass panel, somehow avoids the “tablet glued to the dash” look that plagues many modern vehicles. Physical climate controls remain (hallelujah!), with beautifully damped knobs that provide satisfying tactile feedback.
The recycled materials throughout the cabin deserve special mention – the seats use a fabric made from reclaimed ocean plastic that feels more premium than it sounds, while the dashboard features cork elements harvested without damaging trees. During a particularly hot afternoon drive, I was impressed by how quickly the ventilated seats cooled things down – a feature not always found in this price bracket.
Performance: Surprisingly Spirited
Nobody expects neck-snapping acceleration from a compact crossover, yet the Syros EV delivers genuinely engaging performance. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive version I tested puts down 225 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque – enough for a 0-100 km/h sprint in about 6.8 seconds. That’s hot-hatch territory from a practical family crossover!
What impressed me even more was the handling. The floor-mounted battery pack lowers the center of gravity significantly compared to the combustion version, resulting in flat cornering and surprising agility. On a winding mountain road outside the city, the Syros EV displayed composure that would embarrass some dedicated sports cars costing twice as much.
Range and Charging: The Practical Stuff
The 68 kWh battery pack delivers a claimed range of 415 kilometers on the WLTP cycle. In real-world mixed driving, I managed about 385 kilometers – perfectly adequate for a week of city commuting plus weekend excursions without charging anxiety.
When you do need to top up, the 800-volt electrical architecture enables impressive charging speeds. Connected to a 350 kW DC fast charger, the Syros EV juiced from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes during my coffee break at a highway service area. The onboard 11 kW AC charger handles overnight home charging effectively, taking about 6.5 hours for a full charge from empty.
Tech That Anticipates Your Needs
The infotainment system deserves special praise for its intuitive layout and snappy response. The augmented reality navigation overlay proved invaluable in complex urban environments, projecting directional arrows onto a live camera feed of the road ahead.
The most impressive feature, however, was the predictive efficiency assistant. It factors in traffic conditions, elevation changes, and even weather forecasts to optimize battery usage. Heading into the mountains, it proactively suggested when to coast and when to use regenerative braking to maximize range – by the end of the trip, I was treating its suggestions like advice from a seasoned co-driver.
Practical Touches for Everyday Living
Despite its compact dimensions, the Syros EV feels remarkably spacious inside. The flat floor (a benefit of the EV platform) creates generous foot room for rear passengers, while the frunk provides an additional 52 liters of storage – perfect for housing charging cables or wet umbrellas.
I particularly appreciated the vehicle-to-load function during an impromptu beach picnic, using the car to power a small cooler and charge everyone’s devices. It’s the kind of feature you don’t realize you need until you have it.
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Kia Syros EV: Value Proposition: Premium Experience, Mainstream Price
Starting at roughly ₹23.75 lakh and topping out at ₹29.90 lakh (ex-showroom), the Syros EV isn’t cheap but delivers exceptional value considering its technology package and driving dynamics. Factor in the significantly lower running costs compared to combustion alternatives, and the long-term equation becomes even more favorable.
After seven days behind the wheel, returning to my personal vehicle felt like stepping back in time. The Kia Syros EV isn’t just a good electric crossover – it’s a glimpse into the everyday cars we’ll all be driving sooner than we think.