Kia is intensifying its focus on the mass-market electric vehicle sector in India, following its premium EV models such as the EV6 and EV9. The forthcoming Syros EV is now being tested in India, as observed by an automotive enthusiast who captured the EV model while it was heading to a charging station in Kochi.
In terms of its exterior, the Kia Syros EV mostly resembles the gasoline-powered Syros. The test vehicle displayed camouflage on its front, rear, and upper window areas. Components like the pillars, ORVMs, and roof rails seem identical to those of the ICE-powered Syros. A shark fin antenna was also noticed.
The new Syros EV is expected to include EV-specific features, such as a sealed grille and a charging port slot. A prior test model seen in South Korea had the charging port on the left side. Apart from these alterations, the vehicle resembled the traditional Kia Syros.
Minor design modifications may exist in the front and rear detailing, whereas the side profile is expected to remain mostly unchanged, potentially including EV-specific badging. The test vehicle in Korea sported the same alloy wheels as the ICE Syros, with only the green calipers and EV-specific badging distinguishing it.
While Kia has not yet confirmed the specs, the Syros EV is likely to adopt battery packs from the Hyundai Inster EV. The Inster EV uses either a 42-kWh or a 49-kWh battery pack. These packs employ nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistry. The range is 370 km with the larger pack, and a 10% to 80% charge can be achieved in around 30 minutes. Comparable specs are predicted for the Syros EV.
The Kia Syros EV will primarily compete against models like the Tata Punch EV and Windsor EV. Several variants could also compete with the Tata Nexon EV, Mahindra XUV 400 EV, and the soon-to-be-released Fronx EV. The Syros EV might have a starting price around Rs 14 lakh, with higher-end versions possibly nearing Rs 20 lakh.