The Kia Syros has been on sale for some time now and has established itself as a well-rounded offering in its segment, thanks to its modern design, premium interior, and multiple powertrain options. Kia offers the Syros with both petrol and diesel engines, catering to buyers with different driving preferences and usage patterns.

While the higher variants come with the convenience of automatic transmissions, buyers who prefer a turbo-petrol engine paired with a manual gearbox have just one option. The HTX variant is the highest and only trim available with the turbo-petrol manual combination, making it the go-to choice for driving enthusiasts.

Kia claims a fuel efficiency of 18.20kmpl for the Syros petrol manual. Since claimed figures are generated under controlled test conditions, we put the vehicle through real-world city and highway driving cycles to understand how it performs in everyday usage.

Test Setup and Fuel Tank Capacity

The Kia Syros is equipped with a 45-litre fuel tank, which is suitable for both daily commutes and long highway drives. Our mileage test involved tank-to-tank calculations for accuracy, along with mileage readings displayed on the instrument cluster, allowing us to compare real-world figures with the indicated values.

City Driving Mileage

In city driving conditions, which included heavy traffic, frequent braking, and stop-and-go movement, the Kia Syros petrol manual returned a real-world mileage of 9.78kmpl. In comparison, the instrument cluster showed a higher figure of 11.3kmpl.

The turbo-petrol engine offers strong low- and mid-range performance, making city driving effortless. However, frequent throttle inputs and regular turbo engagement have a noticeable impact on fuel consumption, resulting in lower real-world efficiency.

Highway Driving Mileage

On the highway, the Syros petrol manual delivered better fuel efficiency. The MID indicated a mileage of 14.2kmpl, while our tank-to-tank calculation returned an actual figure of 13.10kmpl.

At steady cruising speeds, the engine feels relaxed, and the six-speed manual gearbox helps keep engine revs in check. While the highway mileage is acceptable for a turbo-petrol SUV, it still trails the diesel variants available in the Syros lineup.

Overall Mileage Performance

Considering both city and highway figures, the turbo-petrol manual variant does not emerge as the most fuel-efficient option in the Kia Syros range. Buyers with high daily running or a strong focus on fuel economy may find the diesel versions more suitable.

Engine and Driving Experience

The Kia Syros petrol manual is powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 118bhp and 172Nm of torque. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.

This engine-transmission combination offers brisk acceleration and an engaging driving experience, especially on open roads. The manual gearbox adds to driver involvement, but the performance-oriented nature of the engine does affect fuel efficiency, particularly in urban conditions.

HTX Variant Features

Despite being limited to a single trim level, the HTX variant comes with a generous list of features that enhance comfort, convenience, and overall cabin experience.

• Panoramic sunroof
• Cooled front seats
• Reclining rear seats
• Type-C charging ports
• LED headlamps
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Rear AC vents
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Final Verdict

If fuel efficiency is a top priority, the diesel manual Kia Syros remains the most efficient option in the lineup, with a claimed mileage of 20.75kmpl. Kia also offers a diesel automatic variant, whose real-world mileage figures have been tested separately.

That said, buyers who value a refined turbo-petrol engine, enjoy the involvement of a manual gearbox, and want a feature-rich SUV may still find the Kia Syros petrol manual to be a compelling choice, particularly for mixed usage with more highway driving.