Kia has officially entered the 5-star club with the Syros, now certified by BNCAP for offering top-tier safety to both adult and child occupants. It is the first Kia model to get a full 5-star rating from either BNCAP or GNCAP, which makes this a rather significant milestone for the brand in India. Quietly competent, then.
Let’s take a closer look at what helped the Syros pull this off.
Adult Occupant Protection (AOP)
Scored 30.21 out of 32 points
Head and neck protection rated as good
Driver’s chest and knees protection considered adequate
Frontal offset test score was 14.21 out of 16
Side impact test returned a perfect 16 out of 16
Side pole impact protection was rated as acceptable
Overall, the Syros demonstrates a very reassuring structure during crash events, particularly from the side.
Child Occupant Protection (COP)
Scored 44.42 out of 49 points
Dynamic crash test score was 23.42 out of 24
Child Restraint System (CRS) installation received 10 out of 12
18-month-old and 3-year-old dummies used in the test
Both placed in rearward-facing ISOFIX child seats with support legs on the front passenger seat
Kia has clearly given serious thought to child safety here. It is not just about the hardware, but the correct integration of it that counts.
Standard Safety Equipment
Six airbags
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Three-point seatbelts for all occupants with reminders
ISOFIX anchorages for the rear outboard seats
Passenger-side airbag deactivation switch
Compliance with ESC and AIS-100 pedestrian protection regulations
It is worth noting that all petrol variants of the Syros carry the 5-star rating, not just the specific test models.
Under the Skin
The Syros sits on Kia’s reinforced K1 platform, the same one that underpins the Grand i10 Nios and the Hyundai Exter. While the K1 platform is smaller than the K2 used in the Sonet, it has been strengthened with hot-stamped parts and a more advanced electrical architecture. This, Kia says, has helped the Syros meet the stricter NCAP requirements.
A smaller footprint, then, but smarter bones.
How It Stacks Up Against Rivals
BNCAP has also tested the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO and the Skoda Kylaq
All of them received 5-star ratings
The Kylaq achieved the highest points, followed by the Syros, then the Nexon and XUV 3XO
Within Kia’s own lineup, the Syros is now the safest. The Sonet, Seltos and Carens have previously scored only 3 stars under GNCAP.
Other Key Details
Applicable to all petrol variants
Tested trims were HTX+ petrol DCT and HTK(O) petrol manual
Estimated price range from ₹8.5 lakh to ₹13.5 lakh
Expected power output ranges between 83 bhp and 120 bhp
Torque figures fall between 115 Nm and 172 Nm
Unofficial top speed around 160 to 180 kmph
The Syros proves that you do not need a large footprint or an intimidating silhouette to deliver serious safety. Kia has taken a compact, urban-friendly car and engineered it to protect like a pro. Quietly, efficiently, and without needing to shout about it.
Rather like a well-made raincoat. You do not think about it much until you are caught in a storm.
