Comparison: Kia Syros vs Tata Nexon

The recently launched Kia Syros has turned out to be an instant success. Slotted between the Kia Sonet and Kia Seltos, the Kia Syros is Kia’s second compact SUV after the Kia Sonet and rectifies a key shortcoming of the Sonet – restricted rear-seat space. However, in addition to making its rear seat spacious, the Korean carmaker has given the Syros several qualities that make it a compelling offering and a strong challenger to all its rivals. One such rival, the Tata Nexon, has been in the game for nearly eight years and has earned tremendous success. The Indian compact SUV is one of the best-selling cars in India and a popular choice as a premium compact SUV. Someone looking to buy a Kia Syros can easily get swayed by the Tata Nexon or the other way around. To solve this confusion, in this comparison article of Kia Syros vs Tata Nexon, we compare the two on important grounds and determine which is better for your needs. 

Kia Syros vs Tata Nexon: Dimensions & Design

As can be seen, the Kia Syros has the same length and almost the same width as the Tata Nexon. However, being 60 mm taller than the Tata Nexon, the Kia Syros offers better headroom, and with a 52 mm longer wheelbase, it offers better legroom for the rear passengers. Moreover, the space for rear seat passengers in the Kia Syros can also be adjusted thanks to the slidable rear seat with reclinable backrests. In the completely slid-forward position of the rear seat, the Kia Syros offers 465 litres of boot space, and in the completely slid-backwards position, it offers 390 litres of boot space. In the rearmost position of the rear seat, the Kia Syros offers substantial legroom, which is far better than any other car in the segment, let alone the Tata Nexon.

As far as design goes, the Kia Syros looks much different from all other cars in its segment. With a tallboy and boxy silhouette, the Kia Syros appeals as something practical. Up front, there is an upright nose, flat bonnet, and concealed grille area in a nod to its electric-powered avatar that will launch soon. The neat triple ice cube headlights bracketed by slim vertical LED DRLS add a sophisticated touch. Lower down, there is an air intake area split by the number plate housing with a silver skid plate-like treatment at its base, which is also there across the bottom of the SUV.  The side profile highlights the boxy design and the chunky black cladding, which, again, covers the bottom of the SUV. At the upright rear, the rear windshield is flanked by cool-looking L-shaped DRLs, and like the front end, the tail lamps are affixed in the black cladding.

On the other hand, the Tata Nexon looks curvier, sportier, and more coupe-like. The front highlights a higher-positioned bonnet with tall ridges on either side, giving it some muscles. The slim LED DRLS are placed higher and are connected by a high-mounted faux grille, while the LED projector headlamps and fog lights are lower down on the bumper. Adding some butch appeal is the trapezoidal blacked-out air intake area with latticed pattern. Over to the side, the Tata Nexon features a curved coupe roof, a rising belt line, and dual-tone 16-inch alloy wheels. At the rear, the Nexon features a large, sporty spoiler at the top and stylish V-shaped tail lamps connected by a band that illuminates when you lock and unlock the car. Overall, the Tata Nexon looks more planted and sportier than the Kia Syros.

The Kia Syros is larger than the Tata Nexon and offers more space. In terms of design, the Kia Syros looks boxy and practical, while the Tata Nexon looks more planted, smaller, and sportier.

Kia Syros vs Tata Nexon: Engine & Transmission

On the powertrains front, both Kia Syros and Tata Nexon have almost the same-sized engines with almost the same power figures.

The 1-litre turbo petrol engine of the Kia Syros is the same unit as the one in the Kia Sonet. This engine has proven its high level of refinement and satisfactory performance for city as well as highway driving. Likewise, the Tata Nexon’s 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine has been there since it was launched in 2017, and is known to deliver smooth performance both on city roads and highways. While both engines are offered with a 6-speed manual transmission and smooth DCT automatic, the Tata Nexon’s 1.2-litre engine offers more transmissions, with a 5-speed manual gearbox and 6-speed AMT also onboard. At the same time, the Kia Syros comes equipped with a torque converter automatic, a functionally better automatic than an AMT. Another advantage that the Tata Nexon offers is the availability of CNG variants, and the key thing to note is that it is the only car in India to offer a factory-fitted CNG kit with a turbocharged engine.

Both Kia Syros and Tata Nexon offer 1.5-litre turbo diesel engines. However, the diesel engine on the Kia Syros is slightly more refined than the one on the Nexon. Moreover, since both diesel engines offer plenty of torque and great fuel efficiency, you should go for the diesel variants of these cars if your use case requires a lot of driving.

As far as ride comfort is concerned, the Tata Nexon has the lead with fabulous bump-absorbing capabilities. The Kia Syros delivers a better ride quality than the Kia Sonet, but it cannot challenge the Tata Nexon, which has always had the segment-best ride comfort as one of its most appealing traits.

In terms of drivability, both Kia Syros and Tata Nexon have almost similarly powerful engines. However, the Tata Nexon has a few advantages with CNG variants on offer, more transmission options, and better ride quality.

Kia Syros vs Tata Nexon: Features & Comfort

For a potential buyer, this is where things can get most decisive. On the inside, the Kia Syros feels far more practical, spacious, and modern. In the front section, the clean dual-tone dashboard features a 30-inch glass panel, integrating a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with customisable displays, and a 5-inch HVAC touchscreen in the middle. While you can control AC, fan speed, and other modes from the 5-inch touchscreen, there are more practical and convenient physical buttons under the central AC vents to do the same. Moreover, there is a slightly squarish two-spoke steering wheel, which looks much different from that of any other car in the segment.

The Tata Nexon, too, looks modern and premium on the inside but in a different way. Its layered dashboard has a faux carbon-fibre finished band that houses the trapezoidal AC vents. Tata’s latest steering wheel, with a flat gloss black surface and illuminated logo, adds a ‘high-tech digital’ look. Likewise, there is a gloss black panel for the HVAC controls, and all the controls here only light up when the car is on. While this panel adds to a clean appeal, it can get easily soiled.

While both Kia Syros and Tata Nexon offer more than enough features to deliver a premium experience, the Kia Syros has a few advantages, such as ventilation for the rear seat (for thighs only), a 4-way powered driver seat, and a dual-camera dashcam.

On the inside, the Kia Syros is more premium and spacious than the Tata Nexon, which makes it feel more suited for family driving. Even in terms of features, the Kia Syros has a few advantages over the Tata Nexon.

Kia Syros vs Tata Nexon: Safety Features

Both Kia Syros and Tata Nexon have scored a full 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP safety test. This means both SUVs are among the safest cars in India and possess solid structural strength to safeguard passengers in unfortunate accidents. Moreover, both Kia Syros and Tata Nexon have a lengthy list of safety features. All the same, the Kia Syros has the advantage of offering the coveted Level-2 ADAS safety suite, which mitigates the possibility of accidents. The Level-2 ADAS safety suite of the Kia Syros consists of front collision warning and avoidance assist, leading vehicle departure alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane follow assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, high-beam alert, driver attention warning, and parking collision avoidance assist.

Also read: Tata Nexon Safety Rating: NCAP Rating, Safety Features

Also read: Kia Syros Scores 5 Stars in Bharat NCAP Safety Test

Both Kia Syros and Tata Nexon are immensely safe SUVs, however, the Kia Syros has the advantage of a Level-2 ADAS safety suite.

Kia Syros vs Tata Nexon: Price comparison

As can be seen, the Kia Syros models are Rs. 1 to 2.5 lakh costlier than their rival models of the Tata Nexon. If we look at the value quotient, the Kia Syros is neither ahead nor behind the Tata Nexon, offering a Level-2 ADAS safety suite, and a few more features to justify the higher price.

Kia Syros vs Tata Nexon: Summary

The Tata Nexon has long been popular as one of the best family cars underRs. 20 lakh and this holds as true as ever. The Indian compact SUV delivers the segment-best ride comfort, a good wealth of features for maximum comfort, convenience, and enjoyment, and solid passenger safety. In addition to that, the SUV is a fashionable car to impress onlookers. Moreover, if you are looking for a CNG-powered SUV, the Tata Nexon is one of the few options available in the market. Overall, the Tata Nexon is an appealing family car, and at the same time, it will be the better of the two if you want a car for daily commutes.

All the same, if you are comfortable spending a few more lakhs and want the best car for your family, the Kia Syros should be a better pick. This is because it is the more spacious and feature-rich of the two. Moreover, with the Level-2 ADAS safety suite onboard, the Kia Syros can ward off accidents much better than the Tata Nexon.

Kia Syros vs Tata Nexon: FAQs