Skoda Kylaq Vs Kia Syros: Which SUV Rides Smoother And Handles Better?

When you can’t really explore the top speed of a car, and spend most of your time driving in traffic conditions, how would you enjoy the car that you have purchased from your hard-earned money? Well, you can opt for a car that does the simple things well - ride smoothly and handle the way you want it to over a stretch of curvy road. The Kia Syros and Skoda Kylaq are the latest entrants in the hot sub-4-metre SUV segment and have many strengths of their own. 

In this particular article, we will be comparing their ride and handling giving you a glimpse of how it would feel if you were driving these cars. 

Hands-on the wheel, let’s begin! 

Skoda Kylaq Vs Kia Syros: Ride And Handling

First, let’s note that the Skoda Kylaq is underpinned by the popular MQB A0 IN platform, on which 4 fun-to-drive cars, namely, the Skoda Kushaq, Skoda Slavia, Volkswagen Taigun and Volkswagen Virtus are based on. With a shorter wheelbase than the aforementioned cars and a lighter weight, the result is promising for the Kylaq as it offers sharp driving dynamics. Behind the wheel, you will be able to predict your next move and thoroughly enjoy driving the little SUV, making it a driver’s delight indeed! In typical Skoda fashion, it offers a steering wheel that is precise and weighs up nicely at higher speeds. Its well-tuned suspension setup ensures a smooth ride and makes the SUV feel planted at high speeds. 

On the other hand, the Syros is based on Sonet’s K1 platform. It maxes out the platform as its wheelbase is greater than the Sonet by a full 50 mm, height increased by nearly 40mm and a wider track. Dynamically, things aren’t as commendable as they are in the Skoda. While there was almost no body roll in the Kylaq, it could be felt in the Syros. At speeds north of 80 kmph, there was noticeable vertical movement. With three passengers on board and a boot full of luggage, the ride of the Syros felt a bit unresolved. However, at lower speeds, the ride is smooth and you won’t have anything to worry about if you are driving on smooth roads. Over unpaved and broken roads, the suspension seems to crash instead of absorbing the impacts smoothly. In our test car, a porthole which seemed harmless resulted in a noticeable thud. 

The braking performance of both SUVs is good, leaving you with nothing to complain about. Both SUVs sit on 17-inch alloy wheels and offer a similar ground clearance of about 190 mm. The Syros comes with a 1-litre turbo-petrol engine which makes 120 PS and a 116 PS 1.5-litre diesel engine. The Kylaq is powered by a sole 115 PS 1-litre turbo-petrol engine.

Price And Verdict

The Syros is priced from Rs 9 lakh to Rs 17.79 lakh (ex-showroom), while the Kylaq is priced from Rs 7.89 lakh to Rs 14.4 lakh. 

If you are an enthusiast, then the Kylaq should be your pick as it will give you that sheer driving pleasure that you would expect from a European SUV. The Syros on the other hand feels like it is built for a different purpose. It is a more chauffeur-driven SUV, and driving dynamics is not its forte. It excels in other departments such as offering a spacious rear seat and a bunch of premium features. To know more about the Syros, head over to this story.