Kia Syros EV, brand's most affordable EV, launched at Rs 13.49 lakh with 525km range

Kia India has launched the Syros EV, its most affordable electric vehicle yet, at a starting price of Rs 13.49 lakh (ex-showroom). Positioned as the brand's second mass-market EV after the Carens Clavis EV, the Syros EV pairs a segment-leading claimed range of up to 526km with an aggressive ownership package that includes an industry-first 80 per cent assured buyback, a lifetime battery warranty for the first owner and a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) programme.

Variant-wise ex-showroom price of the Syros EV

The Syros EV is available with two battery options. The 42kWh variant starts at Rs 13.49 lakh (ex-showroom), while the larger 51.4kWh Extended Range version is priced from Rs 16.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Bookings have already commenced, with sales set to begin across Kia dealerships nationwide from July 30.

Industry-first ownership benefits

In a bid to make EV ownership more accessible, Kia has introduced one of the most comprehensive ownership packages in the segment.

The biggest highlight is the Assured Buyback programme, which guarantees up to 80 per cent resale value after three years for customers purchasing the Syros EV within 60 days of launch. Buyers can choose between three- and four-year ownership plans with flexible annual mileage options before deciding whether to retain, return or replace the vehicle.

Kia is also offering the Syros EV with its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) programme, allowing buyers to purchase the vehicle without owning the battery outright. Under this scheme, prices start at Rs 7.99 lakh, while battery usage is charged at Rs 3.3 per kilometre through a separate financing model.

Adding to the ownership proposition is a 15-year unlimited-kilometre high-voltage battery warranty for the first owner. For subsequent owners, battery coverage extends to eight years or 1.6 lakh kilometres, whichever comes first.

Customers can also opt for the new My Convenience e-Plus package, which bundles scheduled maintenance, extended warranty and roadside assistance into a single plan.

Up to 526km claimed range

The Syros EV will be offered with two battery packs.

The larger 51.4kWh battery delivers an ARAI-certified MIDC range of 526km, making it the first vehicle in its segment to cross the 500km mark. The 42kWh battery offers a claimed range of 443km.

Power comes from an electric motor producing 171bhp, making it the most powerful model in its segment, according to Kia. The Extended Range variant can sprint from 0-100kmph in 8.1 seconds.

The EV supports 100kW DC fast charging, enabling the battery to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 39 minutes. It also gets a 10.8kW onboard AC charger, battery conditioning, regenerative braking with paddle shifters, i-Pedal one-pedal driving, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS), battery heating and a column-mounted shift-by-wire selector.

The battery uses Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) chemistry, is IP67 rated for water and dust resistance, and features a liquid-cooled thermal management system designed for Indian operating conditions.

Connected charging ecosystem

Supporting the ownership experience is Kia's K-Charge ecosystem, which integrates more than 20,300 charging points across 23 charging point operators into a single platform accessible through the MyKia app.

Kia has also expanded its charging infrastructure with 129 dealerships equipped with DC fast chargers and over 275 EV-ready workshops as part of its broader network of more than 900 customer touchpoints across 400 cities.

EV-specific styling

Inspired by Kia's global EV design language, the Syros EV gets a distinctive front fascia featuring Ice Cube MFR LED headlamps, Star Map LED daytime running lamps, Kia's Digital Tiger Face, LED fog lamps and a closed-off EV grille.

Other highlights include flush auto door handles, Star Map LED tail-lamps, 17-inch Crystal Cut dual-tone aerodynamic alloy wheels, gloss black skid plates, roof rails and EV-specific styling elements that differentiate it from its ICE counterpart.

Interior design

Inside, the Syros EV features a 30-inch Trinity Panoramic Display, combining dual 12.3-inch screens with a dedicated 5-inch climate control display.

Other features include Kia Connect 2.0 with over 95 connected car functions, over-the-air software updates, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, wireless phone charging, ventilated front and rear seats, a four-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, dual-pane panoramic sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting, dual-camera dashcam, rear sunshades, multiple USB Type-C ports including a 100W charger, and a 16-litre front trunk (frunk).

The rear seats can slide and recline while offering a 60:40 split-fold function for improved practicality.

ADAS and safety

The Syros EV comes equipped with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) featuring 16 autonomous safety functions, including forward collision avoidance assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane keeping assist, lane following assist and junction collision mitigation.

Other safety equipment includes a 360-degree camera, blind-view monitor, reverse parking collision avoidance assist, front, rear and side parking sensors.

Standard safety features include six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Brake Assist System (BAS), Highline Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), ISOFIX child-seat anchors, Rear Occupant Alert and an electronic parking brake with auto hold.

Kia will offer the Syros EV in seven variants, with nine exterior colour options and three interior themes. Detailed variant-wise prices are expected to be announced separately.

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