Kia’s latest offering, the Syros, has achieved a significant milestone by earning a 5-star rating in the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP) for both adult and child occupant protection.
Top Safety Performance for Adults and Children
The newly tested Kia Syros has demonstrated impressive crash safety results, securing a full 5-star rating in BNCAP evaluations. In the adult occupant protection (AOP) category, the Syros scored 30.21 out of a possible 32 points. For child occupant protection (COP), it achieved 44.42 out of 49 points. This makes the Syros the first Kia vehicle to receive a 5-star rating in crash assessments conducted by either BNCAP or the Global NCAP (GNCAP).
Uniform Safety Rating Across All Petrol Variants
BNCAP conducted tests on the HTX+ petrol-DCT (top-spec) and HTK(O) petrol-MT (mid-spec) variants of the Syros. Despite evaluating only these two trims, the 5-star rating extends to the entire petrol lineup of the model, reinforcing the comprehensive safety standards across the range.
Comprehensive Safety Features as Standard
The Kia Syros comes well-equipped with a host of safety features. All tested variants include six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and three-point seatbelts for every passenger. Additionally, seatbelt reminders are available for all seating positions. The model also includes ISOFIX mounts for the rear outboard seats and a front passenger airbag deactivation switch.
Importantly, the Syros meets ESC regulatory requirements and adheres to AIS-100 pedestrian safety guidelines, ensuring protection not only for occupants but also for pedestrians.
Detailed Analysis of Adult Occupant Protection
In adult occupant safety, the Syros achieved 14.21 out of 16 in the frontal offset deformable barrier test. The vehicle delivered good protection to the head and neck of both the driver and front passenger. However, chest and knee protection for the driver was rated as adequate.
In the side movable deformable barrier test, the car scored a flawless 16.00 out of 16.00, offering robust protection. The side pole impact test yielded an “OK” rating, contributing to the final adult occupant protection score of 30.21 out of 32.
Child Safety Ratings: A Closer Look
For child occupant safety, the Syros delivered excellent results, scoring 23.42 out of 24 in dynamic tests and 10 out of 12 in CRS (Child Restraint System) installation. The assessment involved using rearward-facing child seats for both an 18-month-old and a 3-year-old dummy, installed on the front passenger seat using ISOFIX anchors and a support leg. These results underline the Syros’ strong safety credentials for family-focused buyers.
Built on Reinforced K1 Platform
While the Sonet rides on Kia’s K2 platform, the Syros is built on a more compact K1 platform the same that underpins the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Exter. However, Kia has reinforced this structure significantly. Described by the company as the “reinforced K1 platform,” it features numerous hot-stamped components in the body shell to enhance structural integrity. This new platform also supports updated electronics and electrical architecture, improving the vehicle’s capability to meet rigorous safety standards and perform well in crash tests.
Kia Syros Safety Ranking Compared to Rivals
In terms of BNCAP scores, the Syros finds itself in competitive company. Other models like the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO, and Skoda Kylaq have also achieved 5-star safety ratings. Among them, the Kylaq leads with the highest score, closely followed by the Syros. The Nexon and XUV 3XO rank just below. Within Kia’s own lineup, the Syros now holds the distinction of being the brand’s safest vehicle, outperforming models like the Seltos, Sonet, and Carens, all of which previously received 3-star ratings in GNCAP crash tests.
