The Kia Syros has emerged with flying colors in the latest Bharat NCAP (BNCAP) crash tests, earning a full 5-star rating for both adult and child occupant protection. This marks a significant milestone for Kia, as it is the brand’s first model to achieve a 5-star safety score under either BNCAP or GNCAP protocols.
Impressive Scores for Adult and Child Safety
In adult occupant protection (AOP), the Syros scored 30.21 out of a possible 32 points. For child occupant protection (COP), it secured 44.42 out of 49 points — showcasing its strong safety credentials across the board.
The top-end HTX+ petrol-DCT and mid-level HTK(O) petrol-MT variants were crash tested, but the 5-star safety rating applies to all petrol-powered variants of the Syros.
Comprehensive Safety Features as Standard
The Syros comes well-equipped in terms of safety. It offers six airbags, three-point seatbelts with reminders for all seating positions, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ISOFIX mounts on the rear outboard seats, and a front passenger airbag deactivation switch. It also complies with the latest ESC regulations and AIS-100 pedestrian safety norms.
Adult Occupant Protection: Solid Structural Integrity
In terms of adult protection, the Syros was noted for providing good safety to the head and neck areas of both driver and passenger. Protection to the driver’s chest and knees was rated as adequate. It scored 14.21 out of 16 in the frontal offset deformable barrier test and a perfect 16.00 out of 16 in the side movable deformable barrier test. In the side pole impact test, it received a rating of “OK,” indicating satisfactory performance.
Child Occupant Protection: Strong Dynamic Performance
The Syros achieved 23.42 out of 24 points in dynamic testing and 10 out of 12 for Child Restraint System (CRS) installation. Rearward-facing child seats for both 18-month-old and 3-year-old dummies were installed on the front passenger seat using ISOFIX and support legs, simulating real-world safety for younger passengers.
Built on a Reinforced K1 Platform
Unlike the Sonet, which is based on the K2 platform, the Syros is built on a heavily reinforced version of Kia’s smaller K1 platform — the same one used for models like the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Exter. Kia has strengthened this architecture with more hot-stamped components, allowing for improved crash performance and integration of updated electronics and safety systems.
How the Syros Stacks Up Against Rivals
Among compact SUVs tested by BNCAP, the Syros ranks just behind the Skoda Kylaq in terms of overall score. While the Kylaq holds the top spot, the Syros outperforms the Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO. Within Kia’s own lineup, it now stands as the safest model to date, surpassing the Seltos, Sonet, and Carens — all of which previously received only 3-star ratings in GNCAP testing.
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