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KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Kia Syros starts at Rs 9 lakh and goes all the way up to Rs 17.80 lakh.
- Seltos comes with three engine options.
- The boot space of the Syros is 465 L, while the Seltos has 433 L.
- Read the full piece to understand what we think.
Kia Syros, a revolutionary product that has shocked the sub-4 meter category since its launch, is now getting more traction than Kia's best sellers, like the Sonet and Seltos. It's miles ahead of the Sonet without question, but to your surprise, it has now started to eat into the market of the bigger Seltos, and that's because of the value it offers. To add more, under 15 lakhs, for sure, this car makes more sense in every department, and that's why I am here to expand more on this hot topic. So, let's start, without further ado, but swiftly join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.
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Kia Syros
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So, this new sub-4 meter SUV starts at Rs 9 lakh ex-showroom with a turbo petrol 1.0L engine, and from its third variant, HTK+, the option to choose the automatic gearbox opens up. This is not just a regular AT, but a 7-speed DCT. The top variant of the petrol costs Rs 16 lakh, and here, the features on offer will blow your mind, which I will mention below. But let's also check out the diesel variants' pricing. The 1.5L CRDi is available from Rs 11 lakh with a manual gearbox, but for the automatic, one would have to choose the HTX+, which has an ex-showroom price of Rs 17 lakh.
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Attractive Price
Now, how does it make more sense than the Kia Seltos? Well, in the Seltos, the base variant starts at Rs 11.12 lakh with a naturally aspirated petrol engine, and Rs 12.70 lakh for the 1.5L CRDi diesel engine. Yes, both share the same diesel engine. To add more, for customers who want exhilarating performance, the 1.5L turbo petrol is also offered, but with that, the budget exceeds the Rs 20 lakh mark.
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Now, even till mid variants, you won't get the features that Syros offers, even till the third variant. For example, the rear seats can be reclined and slid, which makes the backseat experience of the Syros equivalent to a large-size sedan. Apart from this, other benefits of these seats are that the boot space can expand up to 465 litres. In comparison, the Seltos doesn't have any features like this, and its boot space is 433 L.
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Plus, even from the base variant, Syros offers a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, steering-mounted controls, rear parking camera with guidelines, rear and front parking sensors, and TPMS. To get all these features in the Seltos, one has to choose the HTK+ (O), which starts at Rs 15.75 lakh, where the 10.25-inch infotainment screen begins, and before that, an 8-inch screen is offered.
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Space Factor
One more reason the Syros makes more sense is its superior space. As this below segment SUV happens to be taller and wider than Seltos. Yes, the difference is huge, both from an exterior and interior point of view. After sitting in Syros, one will experience an airy experience which is felt because of ample amount of head room available and with large glasses. On the other hand, Seltos will remind you more of a hatchback as its height isn't much.
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Dimensions | Kia Syros | Kia Seltos |
Length | 3995 mm | 4365 mm |
Width | 1805 mm | 1800 mm |
Height | 1680 mm | 1620 mm |
Wheelbase | 2550 mm | 2610 mm |
Ground Clearance | 190 mm | 190 mm |
Mileage
Another major point is that the 1.0L turbo petrol engine achieves a mileage of 18.20 kmpl with the 6-speed manual gearbox and 17.68 kmpl with the 7-DCT. On the other hand, both petrol engines in the Seltos aren't known for their fuel efficiency, and even at their best, the maximum they can achieve is around 15 to 16 kmpl. So, if mileage is your priority, opt for the diesel engine in the Seltos.
Reasons To Go With Seltos
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First of all, let's talk about the way it looks. The Kia Seltos is a certified handsome SUV, and from all angles, it appears more premium and sporty. Its design has been universally accepted, and this could be the biggest reason to go with the Seltos. In addition, it comes with a 1.5L diesel engine and an iMT gearbox option, which is a unique new type of transmission that operates like a manual gearbox but without a clutch. This allows customers to enjoy the benefits of this transmission at a lower price. Plus, the most important reason to choose it is the 1.5L naturally aspirated engine. So, unlike the Syros petrol, you won't have to deal with turbo lag issues here.
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Verdict
The Kia Seltos is a more practical and better choice overall if you're confused between these two cars -but only if your budget is somewhere around Rs 15 lakh and above. The Seltos has a third engine option available, which caters to a different set of audiences. Till now, more than 20,000 bookings have been received for the Seltos, according to Kia, and clearly, this car has started eating into its competitors, along with its siblings.