Too cute for Australia? Cut-price 2025 Kia Syros light SUV revealed as sibling to Hyundai Casper

Kia has unveiled a new light SUV developed in (and for) India as what seems to be a ‘cousin’ model to the Hyundai Casper.

The 2025 Kia Syros, which bears strong resemblance to the likes of the Kia EV3, 5 and 9, is based on the same Hyundai/Kia K1 platform as the Casper, but has apparently been developed for India.

As such, it will be built in the world’s most populous nation, but Kia Australia has confirmed to CarsGuide it isn't destined for Australia despite its platform and driving side both being compatible.

The light SUV seems pretty packed with kit, with higher grade variants featuring elements familiar to much larger (and pricier) Kia electric cars.

Even in base ‘HTK’ form, the Syros has a decent list of safety features like including six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring and parking sensors at the front and rear, plus tech like a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless phone mirroring.

There’s also a HTK (O), HTK+ and higher-grade HTX, HTX+ and HTX (O). Only the HTX (O) variant gets active level-two ADAS systems, many of which would be expected as standard in Australia such as lane departure warnings and front collision warnings.

2025 Kia Syros

The top-spec variant also gains Kia’s huge three-screen multimedia/driver display with two 12.3-inch screens and another 5.0-inch screen for climate controls.

There are also more mod-cons that might not be expected in a light SUV even in Australia such as ambient mood lighting and ventilated seats.

2025 Kia Syros

The Syros comes with two engine choices depending on grade, either a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine making 88kW and 172Nm, or a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel with 85kW and 250Nm.

Both drive the front wheels only, but can be had with either a six-speed manual transmission or an automatic - those are either a 7-speed dual-clutch for the petrol engine or a 6-speed traditional auto for the diesel.