The Kia Syros has always been an interesting product because it managed to pack a surprisingly large and practical cabin into a relatively compact footprint. With the new Syros EV, Kia has taken that same formula and electrified it. What makes this interesting is that the Syros was developed from the beginning with both ICE and EV versions in mind. So, unlike some products that need substantial re-engineering to accommodate a battery pack, the Syros EV feels like a properly integrated electric vehicle.
Familiar design, subtle EV changes
The Syros EV retains the familiar upright and boxy proportions of the ICE Syros. The front profile gets some subtle changes, including a slimmer air-intake section, while the alloy wheels get a new dual-tone design. The roof rails are finished in gloss black and the flush-fitting door handles are electrically operated, adding a nice premium touch.
The charging flap is neatly positioned above the front wheel on the left side. Apart from the Syros EV badging at the rear and LED rear turn indicators, there isn’t much else that immediately tells you this is the electric version.
The more important change is underneath. The battery pack is mounted under the floor, but Kia has managed to retain generous ground clearance, with the Syros EV actually offering more clearance than its ICE counterpart.
A premium cabin
Inside, the Syros EV feels considerably more special. The new off-white and black colour scheme gives the cabin a more premium appearance, while the darker lower portion should be easier to keep clean. The large dual-pane panoramic sunroof also allows plenty of light into the cabin, making it feel even more spacious.
The dashboard retains much of the basic layout, but the three-spoke steering wheel is new and complements the new colour scheme. The large display arrangement also gives the cabin a modern look without going overboard. You get a touchscreen infotainment system, climate-control interface and fully digital instrument cluster integrated into one straight panel.
The digital cluster gets EV-specific information including range, trip data, TPMS, digital speed and navigation. The displays are sharp and easy to read, although the glossy finish does attract some reflections. The steering wheel can also obscure some of the climate-control interface depending on your seating position, but physical controls are still available for quickly accessing important functions.
Clever packaging
The Syros EV’s floating centre console is one of the best examples of how the electric architecture has been used to improve practicality. The column-mounted shift-by-wire selector frees up space and allows Kia to create additional storage underneath the console.
You get an armrest with storage, cupholders, a sliding cover, a wireless charging section and another storage area underneath. There is also a 100W USB Type-C charging port, which is particularly useful when you’re travelling with multiple devices.
The column-mounted selector may look unusual at first, but it is extremely easy to understand. Twist the selector to move between Drive, Reverse and Neutral, while Park is activated using the dedicated button. The vehicle can be started or switched off using the EV button integrated into the same unit.
The rear cabin is where the Syros EV really demonstrates the advantages of its packaging. The floor is essentially flat, since there is no conventional transmission tunnel, although the floor itself is slightly higher than the ICE version. More importantly, the rear seats can recline, fold in a 60:40 split and slide forwards and backwards. You can move the seats rearwards when passengers need more legroom or slide them forward when you need additional luggage space.
The boot remains practical, and there is also a small frunk under the bonnet. It isn’t large enough to transform the car’s luggage capacity, but it is useful for storing the charging cable and keeping the main boot area clutter-free.
Performance
The Syros EV will be available with two battery options: 42 kWh and 51.4 kWh. Kia claims ranges of 443 km and 526 km, respectively. The smaller battery produces 135 PS and 255 Nm, while the extended-range version gets 171 PS and 255 Nm. Kia claims a 0-100 km/h time of 8.1 seconds for the larger battery version, and after driving it, that number feels quite believable.
In Sport mode, the acceleration is almost instant and there is a strong surge forward as soon as you bury the accelerator. What makes it more impressive is that the performance doesn’t disappear when you switch to Eco. Even in the most efficient setting, there is enough punch for effortless overtaking.
This is therefore not an EV where efficiency has come at the expense of performance. You can drive it calmly and quietly around town, but there is plenty of power available when you want to have some fun.
i-Pedal
The regenerative braking system gives you plenty of control over how the Syros EV slows down. There are four regen levels i.e. 0, 1, 2 and 3 and i-Pedal can be used with each of them. At the stronger regen settings, lifting off the accelerator produces significant deceleration. With i-Pedal activated, the car can come all the way to a stop without touching the brake pedal.
This is especially useful in bumper-to-bumper traffic. You can modulate the accelerator, creep forward and then lift off to slow down or stop. Once you understand the system, it makes congested driving considerably less tiring.
Level 3 regen is quite aggressive, though, so it takes some adaptation. If someone is following too closely, they may not expect the Syros EV to slow down as rapidly when you lift off.
You also get Eco, Normal and Sport modes, as well as Auto Hold, allowing you to tailor the driving experience according to your preference.
Ride quality
Performance may grab your attention first, but the ride quality is what makes the Syros EV genuinely impressive. I drove it over badly surfaced roads and poorly executed speed breakers, and the suspension handled them exceptionally well. It is soft and cushiony, yet the body doesn’t feel completely out of control. You can hear the suspension working over particularly nasty surfaces, but the actual impacts reaching the occupants are well controlled.
For an urban family EV, this is exactly what you want. Daily commuting becomes relaxed, and passengers aren’t constantly being thrown around every time you encounter a broken patch of road.
Easy to drive
The steering is light and effortless, making the Syros EV very easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces and city traffic. It isn’t as light or vague as some Maruti Suzuki systems, so there is still enough weight and directness to give you confidence.
The battery mounted low underneath the floor also helps the dynamics. Despite its tall, boxy shape, the Syros EV feels relatively planted through corners and during high-speed lane changes.
Verdict
The 2026 Kia Syros EV makes a strong argument by doing the fundamentals exceptionally well. It doesn’t look dramatically different from the ICE version, but beneath that familiar exterior is a thoughtfully engineered electric SUV with a spacious cabin, clever storage solutions and one of the most practical rear-seat arrangements in its class. The Syros EV handles rough roads extremely well, remains quiet at highway speeds and is easy to manoeuvre around town.
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