The Kia Syros has upset the natural balance in the sub 4 metre SUV segment. Previously, cars of a similar price were going up against one another. However, with so much choice, many buyers are comparing differently priced models. The arrival of the Syros means that buyers previously interested in the Magnite are now considering the Kia SUV as well.
To make things easier, we have put together this comparison of the Kia Syros and Nissan Magnite, seeing how they stack up against one another by comparing their size, powertrains, features, safety quotient and price. While each of these two SUVs has its own merits and demerits, putting them next to each other makes it easier to understand which one would work better for you.
Kia Syros vs Nissan Magnite: Dimensions
| Kia Syros | Nissan Magnite | |
| Length | 3995 mm | 3994 mm |
| Width | 1805 mm | 1758 mm |
| Height | 1680 mm | 1572 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2550 mm | 2500 mm |
| Boot space | 390 – 465 litres (sliding second row) | 336 litres |
| Ground clearance | 190 mm | 205 mm |
The Kia Syros is longer, wider and taller compared to the Nissan Magnite and that too by a margin. It also has a longer wheelbase than the Nissan SUV, all of which translates into the fact that the Syros will offer a roomier cabin. While both cars will be well suited for four adults and a child, it is the Kia Syros that will better cater to people to taller, heavier built people, whereas the Nissan Magnite will offer similar levels of comfort for shorter, skinnier people.
The Kia Syros also has a significant advantage when it comes to boot space. Its sliding second row means that the boot space changes according to the position of the second row seats, however, even when the second row is pushed all the way back to its farthest setting, the Syros manages to offer more boot space than the Nissan Magnite. However, when it comes to ground clearance, the Nissan Magnite has a decent advantage over the Kia Syros, but that said, the 190 mm ground clearance of the Kia SUV is enough to take on most obstacles you will encounter in your everyday driving.
Ultimately, if you are looking for a sub 4 metre SUV that prioritises space, the Kia Syros will be the better pick, whereas if you live in an area with severely bad road infrastructure, or often travel on rural roads, then the higher ground clearance of the Nissan Magnite will serve you better.
Kia Syros vs Nissan Magnite: Engine & Transmission
| Kia Syros | Nissan Magnite | |
| Engine options | 1.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine, 1.5 litre diesel engine | 1.0 litre NA petrol engine, 1.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine |
| Transmission options | 6 speed MT, 7 speed DCT (petrol), 6 speed AT (diesel) | 5 speed MT, 5 speed AMT (NA petrol), CVT (turbo petrol) |
| Power | 120 PS (petrol), 116 PS (diesel) | 72 PS (NA petrol), 100 PS (turbo petrol) |
| Torque | 172 Nm (petrol), 250 Nm (diesel) | 96 Nm (NA petrol), 152 – 160 Nm (turbo petrol) |
| Mileage | 17.65 kmpl to 20.75 kmpl | 17.9 kmpl to 19.9 kmpl |
The Kia Syros is offered with a choice of a turbocharged petrol engine or a diesel engine, and both of them can be specced with a manual or an automatic transmission. On the other hand, the Nissan Magnite, is offered with a choice between a naturally aspirated petrol engine or a turbocharged petrol engine, both of which can also be specced with either a manual or an automatic gearbox.
In terms of performance, it is the Kia Syros that offers more. Its turbo petrol engine makes more power and torque, despite being of the same size and having the same number of cylinders as the Nissan Magnite’s turbo engine. The diesel engine too offers more performance, and will be more fuel efficient than the Magnite.
However, the Magnite offers the option of a naturally aspirated petrol engine, which the Syros doesn’t. It will be better suited to those who prefer linear power and torque delivery and are chasing smoothness and refinement over outright performance.
The Syros’ powertrain options will appeal to those who want a peppy SUV to drive whereas the Magnite offers a more laid back driving experience. However, if it is outright efficiency that piques your interest, the you should opt for the Syros with a diesel engine.
Kia Syros vs Nissan Magnite: Features & Comfort
| Kia Syros | Nissan Magnite | |
| Infotainment system | 12.3 inch touchscreen | 9 inch touchscreen |
| Music system | 8 speaker Harman Karson system | 4 speaker JBL system |
| Climate control | Automatic Climate Control | Automatic Climate Control |
| Ventilated seats | Front and Rear | No |
| Adjustable steering | Tilt adjustable | Tilt adjustable |
| Drive modes | Yes | No |
| Instrument cluster | 12.3 inch digital cluster | 7 inch digital cluster |
| Sunroof | Panoramic sunroof | No |
| Adjustable seats | Electrically adjustable driver seat with manual seat height adjust | Height adjustable driver seat |
| Rear AC vents | Yes | Yes |
| 60:40 split rear seat | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Yes |
The Kia Syros is packed with a wide range of features. One of the most interesting features on this SUV is the panoramic screen arrangement, with the 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster and a similarly sized infotainment touchscreen packed into one housing. This arrangement is often found on larger cars and looks premium.
In contrast, the Nissan Magnite has a 9 inch infotainment touchscreen and a 7 inch digital instrument cluster, which do the job well enough, but doesn’t feel as premium as the Syros. The Korean SUV also has a better audio system with more speakers.
The Syros gets some exclusive features in comparison to the Magnite such as front and rear ventilated seats, drive modes, a panoramic sunroof and an electrically adjustable driver seat. Apart from that, both cars get a tilt adjustable steering wheel, rear AC vents and cruise control. However, in the case of the Syros, it is adaptive cruise control, which is another plus.
The Kia Syros and Nissan Magnite are poles apart when we compare the features list. While the Magnite offers everything you would need, the Syros goes many steps ahead to pamper you with its vast list of features. Quite simply, the Magnite is better suited for those who are happy with a modest feature set, whereas the Syros is aimed at those who prefer the latest gadgets in their cars.
Kia Syros vs Nissan Magnite: Safety Features
| Kia Syros | Nissan Magnite | |
| GNCAP safety rating | 5 stars from Bharat NCAP | 4 stars from Global NCAP |
| Airbags | 6 airbags | 6 airbags |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| ESC | Yes | Yes |
| Traction control | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Rain-sensing wipers | Yes | No |
| Hill-hold assist | Yes | Yes |
| Hill descent control | No | No |
| Rear sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Rear parking camera | Yes | Yes |
| ISOFIX child seat anchor points | Yes | Yes |
| ADAS | Yes | No |
The safety quotient of both the Kia Syros and Nissan Magnite is quite well matched. Both these SUVs have been crash tested. The Syros has a 5 star crash test rating from Bharat NCAP, whereas the Magnite features a 4 star rating from Global NCAP. Furthermore, both these SUVs get 6 airbags as standard on all their variants.
In terms of active safety features which actively work to avoid a collision, both cars get ABS with EBD, ESP, traction control and hill hold assist. Other useful features such as automatic headlamps, rear parking camera and sensors and ISOFIX mounting points are also available on both the Syros and Magnite. However, both cars miss out on hill descent control. The Syros carves out a small advantage over the Magnite with rain sensing wipers. The Kia Syros also gets a Level 2 ADAS system which is not offered on the Magnite.
The Nissan Magnite offers a comprehensive safety package that will appeal to anyone on a budget, however, the Kia Syros goes a step further and with its better crash test rating and ADAS system, it takes the honours for being the safer car of the two.
Kia Syros vs Nissan Magnite: Price Comparison
| Kia Syros | Nissan Magnite | |
| Base Variant | Rs. 9 lakh to Rs. 11 lakh | Rs. 6.14 lakh to Rs. 7.84 lakh |
| Mid Variant | Rs. 11.50 lakh to Rs. 12.80 lakh | Rs. 7.97 lakh to Rs. 9.38 lakh |
| Upper Mid Variant | Rs. 13.30 lakh to Rs. 14.60 lakh | Rs. 9.43 lakh to Rs. 10.70 lakh |
| Top Variant | Rs. 16 lakh to Rs. 17.80 lakh | Rs. 11.40 lakh to Rs. 11.92 lakh |
The Kia Syros and Nissan Magnite are both sub 4 metre SUVs, and yet one look at their price and the disparity is clear. The Magnite’s top variants are priced similarly to the base and mid variants of the Kia Syros. It’s a clear definition of the roles of both SUVs. While the Nissan Magnite is looking to cater to a budget audience, the Kia Syros is trying to set aspirational benchmarks within the confines of the sub 4 metre segment.
So, should you look to upgrade from buying the Nissan Magnite to the Kia Syros? For starters, if you were considering the top variant of the Magnite, you can easily consider the base and mid variants of the Kia Syros, as they fall in a similar price category and won’t require you to go way out of your budget. However, the upper mid and top variants of the Kia Syros will require you to rethink your budget. However, for the added money, the Kia Syros does offer a ton of features which add value to the ownership experience.
You should also keep in mind that while the Kia Syros is the more expensive SUV of the two, it will also hold its resale value better than the Nissan Magnite due to a wider brand acceptance. Ultimately, choosing between the two cars will come at a cost. Those of you who are looking for a car that does the job while being cost effective should stick with the Nissan Magnite. However, if cost isn’t a primary concern and you want a more premium driving experience, then you will be better off with the Kia Syros.
Summary
Right from the beginning, the Kia Syros has had a major lead over the Nissan Magnite, which it hasn’t relinquished till the end. However, the cost it has had to pay for such a commanding lead is quite literally the price difference between the two SUVs. On the other hand, the Nissan Magnite is playing its own game, and is trying to woo you not with its premium avatar, but by offering all the basic features that have become a staple in modern cars and being kinder to your cheque book.
If you are looking to save money, you should definitely go for the Nissan Magnite. It’s a car you can keep for a couple of years and then upgrade to a better one. However, if you are looking to lock in a small car that you can use to go about town, and have a separate car for highway journeys, then you should buy the Kia Syros and it will do the job over the next 5 to 10 years.
FAQs
Q. Which is better, Kia or Nissan?
Globally, Kia and Nissan are both established car makers with each having a strong lineup of cars. However, in the Indian market, Kia has a better brand identity than Nissan because of its strong lineup of cars, larger dealership network and high desirability.
Q. Which SUV is better, Kia Syros or Nissan Magnite?
The Kia Syros offers more cabin space, is faster, has better features and also offers a better safety net than the Nissan Magnite, making it the better SUV. However, the Kia Syros is priced well beyond that of the Nissan Magnite.
Q. Which has more airbags, Kia Syros or Nissan Magnite?
The Kia Syros and Nissan Magnite are equipped with 6 airbags as standard on all their variants.
Q. Is the Kia Syros a rival to the Nissan Magnite?
Price wise, the Kia Syros is positioned well beyond the Nissan Magnite. However, both SUVs are of a similar size and are therefore indirect rivals.
Q. Which are the best safety features of the Kia Syros?
The best safety features offered on the Kia Syros are 6 airbags, ESP, traction control, hill hold assist, ISOFIX mounting points and Level 2 ADAS. Additionally, the Kia Syros also has a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP.
