Is the Kia Syros too boxy for its own good?

I actually dig the boxy look! After seeing too many cars try to be swoopy and aerodynamic, it's refreshing to see a car that remains utterly unapologetic in all its rounded glory. That shape has plus points, though: With more headroom and a roomier feel inside.

Nah, it's too much. It looks like a Rubik's cube had a baby with a delivery van. It’s all practicality but surely there has to be a way to have a roomy interior without the look of a rolling shoebox.

It's growing on me, honestly. First I thought it was ugly, but then the more I see it, the more I enjoy the boldness. In other words it's the Kia Soul's bigger, more practical cousin.

I think it's suited for the Indian market. As much as we love our space in it, this design screams practicality. It's not the prettiest thing on the road, who cares as long as it can swallow all your luggage?

That’s definitely polarizing, but perhaps that could be a good thing. Amid a sea of samey looking crossovers, the Syros is a breath of fresh air. Buyers will want something different and won’t be afraid to attract attention, good or bad.

Its aerodynamics worry me. Now, surely that boxy shape is not fuel efficient, right? In terms of eco friendliness, it seems to be a step backward.

Come on, we plucked it from hell. But you know what? As hell practical, I bet it will sell like hotcakes. In the budget segment sometimes function trumps form. **QUESTION: Will the Kia Syros steal sales from Sonet or Seltos? QUESTION_DETAIL: The automotive community has quizzed Kia's decision to position the Syros between the Sonet and Seltos. This has created discussions of market cannibalization between Kia's own lineup. The Syros is, as with all of us, a Chris, Sam, Danya hybrid but in a super boxy form that feels like it occupies a slightly different niche than its siblings. This positioning strategy causes people to discuss Kia's product differentiation and market segmentation strategy. Will the Syros capture new buyers for the brand or simply move sales from existing Kia models? It is extended to the pricing strategy, the feature set to include in each model and the target demographics of each model. The Indian automotive industry, meanwhile, nervously watches as consumers make their choices, and how this three way dynamic plays out in competition for the Indian car market.

I believe the new entrants will definitely eat into Sonet sales. More space and features for similar money, it seems to be the Syros. So why would any one ever go for the Sonet over this?

Nah, I think it'll get its own fan base. With its boxy design, they’re so different from the Sonet and Seltos that it’ll have a completely new target audience. Kia knows what they're doing.

The Sonet is gonna be a bloodbath. While the Seltos has a premium feel that might see it through, the Sonet is toast. Kia has just killed one of its own product.

You fellas do not get it. It's about choice for customers. The sleek Sonet, rugged Seltos, practical side of our crowd has yours in Syros. This is a good move: cover all bases.

I’m sure Kia is slowly phasing out the Sonet. It could be the first move in a reshuffle of their lineup to try to better contend with Hyundai's new models.

You could do it, but it's a pretty risky move, so if they're going to do it, it has to be priced just right. The key will be to clearly differentiate in the marketing. In order for them to place each of their cars for a particular purchaser, they need to tell you what that type of buyer wants to have in their car.

I expect a price war – watch this space. To make this work, and to maintain profit margins, Kia will need to adjust prices through the range. That might be good news for us buyers! **QUESTION: Are sliding back seats on the Kia Syros a gimmick, or a game changer? QUESTION_DETAIL: Sliding rear seats provide another standout feature of the Kia Syros – unique to compact SUVs. Its flexibility makes it possible to configure space for cargo and passengers, perhaps accommodating a larger vehicle in a smaller package. But it also begs the question of durability, cost and real world usability. It's either a genuine need for space flexibility in city environments, or just another complication, they say, one that could lead to maintenance issues in the future. The authors also deliberate on whether this function really contributes to the practicality of the vehicle or rather it is just another marketing gimmick to set the Syros apart in an ultra competitive market. The automotive community will cautiously watch as potential buyers deliberate the pros and cons and determine whether we’re witnessing something new or a niche offering.

Absolute game-changer! This is a dream come true for someone like me – always struggling to strike that balance between passenger comfort and luggage space in a compact car. It’s all well and good, like having two cars in one.

It sounds cool, but I’m skeptical. More parts you are asking about to move, more parts that can break. And I'd prefer fixed seats, to know that they're not going to break.

It's a smart move by Kia. This will be a feature that will attract small families who sometimes need more space but don’t want to move up to a large SUV. It’s not over the top, but it works.

Gimmick all the way. Are people really going to adjust those seats? Another thing to go wrong is after the warranty expires.

It is brilliant for the Indian market, I think. Very often we must carry goods and passengers at the same time. That flexibility could actually be a real selling point.

This is not new tech but new for the segment. If Kia has done it right with the Syros, it could be notable. If it’s clunky or noisy, it will backfire.

The real question is how much cargo space you do actually gain. But if it’s a few centimeters, then it doesn’t make sense to spend the additional complexity and cost. **QUESTION: For its price, can the Kia Syros challenge the Hyundai Exter? QUESTION_DETAIL: Similar in size and their respective target markets, the introduction of Kia Syros has given rise to comparisons with its cousin the Hyundai Exter. But expected to be priced considerably higher than the Exter, its Syros will stand out as a premium offering in the compact SUV space. It begs the question, how different are the value proposition and brand perception of each? Another GPD Buy is pulling out all of the stops with the Syros, boasting more features and a unique design, but is that enough to persuade even the most ardent GPD fans to shell out over $300 more? Brand loyalty debate is another segment that we have not let go off, and some believe that Hyundai's_approval for its reputation in this segment_ puts the Exter in a better position. But others argue that the Syros's more distinctive exterior styling—and a fresher (though the pot's mainly reserved for Kia's) brand image—will lure buyers seeking something different. While both vehicles compete for market share, industry observers are waiting with bated breath to see if the Syros can chip away at its own niche, or become lost in the bargain by pricing itself out of its own market when compared with the Exter.

No way. Its strongest point is the Exter's killer pricing. If Kia price the Syros too high, they are shooting themselves in the foot.

I think it can. It also looks way more premium than the Syros and has your cool sliding seats. Those who want something more fancy than the Exter but smaller than the Seltos will buy it.

It’s not about features, it’s about brand perception. In India, they’re seen as slightly more premium than Hyundai. If the interior quality is significantly better, on the other hand, they could pull it off.

If you price the Syros too high, the Syros is doomed. You still end up with a small engine in a still sub 4 meter car. No matter how many features you cram in, there's only so much people are willing to pay for that.

I think they have different targeted buyers. The Syros is for someone making the step up from something like a Swift or i20; the Exter is for the first-time value conscious SUV buyer.

All depends on the driving experience. People may pay the premium if the Syros feels this much more refined and powerful.

But let’s not forget the Sonet still exists, which can be had for a good deal less money. That said, if priced too close to the Sonet, it will be tough to sell. Kia has to be really careful with its positioning here. **QUESTION: Will the Kia Syros’ design, if different from the rest, hold or be dated? QUESTION_DETAIL: Kia Syros has made a shocking reputation with its distinctive boxy outlining in the filled up compact SUV advertise. This unique styling has certainly caught peoples eyes, but it also makes one wonder how long its appeal will hold in the design sense. Others reason that a look as striking and unconventional might age quickly as automotive design fashions change. Others say it will stand the test of time like other iconic boxy cars have in the past because it looks so different from anything else. The discussion frames larger questions around automotive design philosophy based on balancing trendsetting and timelessness. Potential buyers of the Syros have the opportunity, not merely to appreciate it as it is today, but to project, years and decades ahead, the way they will feel about the looks of it — if they buy Syros today. The resolution of this question of design longevity could make a huge difference to the resale value and satisfaction of the vehicle’s long term owner.

I think it will age like fine wine. For example, take a look at the Suzuki Jimny or the old Land Rover Defender — boxy designs like those never got old. A cult classic could be made out of the Syros.

Hell no no because it will look dated in a couple of years. Now sleek and aerodynamic shapes are in car design. This look is already passé.

Functionally, it might age well, but aesthetically? I'm not so sure. It’s so different, it might even come off as something out of a weird automotive phase.

I reckon it'll hold up. It's nothing trendy — it's a purposeful look. Cars that chase the latest fad don't tend to age well, but that kind of honest design does.

It'll age U shaped. Now they look weird, in 5 years they will look dated, in 15 – 20 years they will come back as retro cool.

The overall shape will age okay, but my money is on those headlights looking stupidly dated very fast. They're too much 'right now' design.

In other words, if it's practical, it doesn't matter how it ages design wise. For years people kept buying that old WagonR, it was useful, not beautiful.

Kia is really onto something here. To make it so distinctive, they lay the groundwork for recognition for years. It’s not everyone's cup of tea, but it won’t be forgettable.

Come on, we plucked it from hell. But you know what? As hell practical, I bet it will sell like hotcakes. In the budget segment sometimes function trumps form.