Kia Syros vs Skoda Kylaq vs Mahindra 3XO – Detailed Comparison Review

India’s sub-4 meter SUV segment is a battleground where automakers vie for dominance with compact, feature-packed vehicles tailored to diverse buyer needs. With 14 contenders in this space, the Kia Syros, Skoda Kylaq, and Mahindra XUV 3XO stand out as the newest entries, each bringing unique strengths to the table. The Syros offers a premium, family-oriented experience, the Kylaq appeals to driving enthusiasts with its sporty dynamics, and the 3XO balances power and practicality.

Which SUV offers the best balance of style, space, performance, and value for money?

Design & Road Presence

• Kia Syros: The Syros boasts a boxy, tall design at 1680 mm, making it the tallest here. Its polarizing, slab-sided look maximizes interior space but sparks varied opinions. The upright stance and bold lines give it a commanding road presence, appearing larger than its 3995 mm length suggests.
• Skoda Kylaq: At the opposite end, the Kylaq is the shortest and narrowest, with a compact, proportionate stance. Its sporty, sleek design feels modern and less imposing but is among the most aesthetically balanced sub-4m SUVs.
• Mahindra XUV 3XO: The widest at 1821 mm, the 3XO exudes big-SUV charm with a muscular, aggressive look. Its bold front grille and robust styling make a strong first impression, ideal for buyers seeking a commanding presence.

Verdict: The Syros wins for road presence due to its imposing height and bold design, while the Kylaq appeals to those preferring modern, proportionate styling. The 3XO strikes a balance, offering SUV-like charisma for buyers wanting a standout look.

Dimensions & Boot Space

• Kia Syros: Offers a 465L boot, the largest here, but usability is slightly compromised when rear seats are pushed back, reducing depth. The wide opening aids loading, but the space isn’t as practical as it seems on paper.
• Skoda Kylaq: With a 446L boot, the Kylaq provides a more usable, deeper cargo area with a wider opening, making it practical for daily use. Its compact dimensions (3995 mm length, 1783 mm width) don’t hinder boot functionality.
• Mahindra XUV 3XO: The smallest boot at 346L lags behind, with a high floor and loading lip. Its flat floor aids packing, but tight luggage space requires careful arrangement for family trips.

Ground Clearance: The 3XO leads with 201 mm, ideal for rough roads, followed by the Syros and Kylaq at 189 mm, sufficient for most urban and rural conditions.

Best Pick: The Kylaq excels for practical, everyday boot usability, while the Syros suits those needing maximum capacity. The 3XO is less ideal for heavy luggage but functional for smaller loads.

Interiors & Cabin Experience

• Kia Syros: The Syros feels like a larger vehicle, thanks to low window sills, a high roof, and an airy cabin. Premium tactile buttons on the steering and climate controls elevate the experience, with a solid, high-quality feel. Visibility is excellent, aiding urban navigation.
• Skoda Kylaq: Offers a cocooned, sporty ambiance with top-notch fit and finish. Unique green accents and textured dash/door trims add flair. While compact, the cabin’s quality rivals premium segments, though visibility is slightly limited compared to rivals.
• Mahindra XUV 3XO: The widest cabin with big seats and soft-touch materials feels luxurious. Light-colored interiors enhance openness, but glossy black panels are scratch-prone, and switches feel flimsy. The design lacks the modernity of the Syros or Kylaq.

Verdict: The Syros leads for premium feel and spaciousness, ideal for family comfort. The Kylaq wins for quality and style, appealing to design-conscious buyers. The 3XO offers practicality but falls short in refinement.

Infotainment & Features

• Kia Syros: Features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, the largest and most responsive, with a rich display and intuitive layout. A 5-inch climate display is redundant, often obscured by the steering wheel. Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display with legible menus make it tech-forward.
• Skoda Kylaq: Equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, it boots quickly and operates reliably but uses less intuitive capacitive controls. The 8-inch driver’s display is configurable but feels dated with excessive blank space.
• Mahindra XUV 3XO: The 10.25-inch touchscreen has improved UI and connected features but feels clunky in response and layout. The 10.25-inch driver’s display uses dark themes and small fonts, making it less user-friendly than the Syros.

Tech Verdict: The Syros is the most future-ready with its large, responsive screens and wireless connectivity. The Kylaq excels in reliability, while the 3XO offers robust features but lags in usability.

Rear Seat Comfort & Space

• Mahindra XUV 3XO: With a 2600 mm wheelbase and wide cabin, it’s the best for three passengers, featuring a flat bench for practicality. However, thigh support is average, and the higher floor slightly reduces comfort.
• Kia Syros: Offers a near business-class recline and contoured seats, ideal for two passengers. The high roof and large windows create an open feel, but three abreast is less comfortable than the 3XO.
• Skoda Kylaq: Supportive seats shine for two passengers, but the compact packaging makes it tight for three. The dark cabin and lack of a panoramic sunroof reduce the sense of space, though headroom is ample.

Best SUV: The 3XO is ideal for three passengers or chauffeur-driven use, while the Syros excels for two-passenger comfort on long drives. The Kylaq suits smaller groups prioritizing supportive seating.

Engine, Performance & Transmission

• Kia Syros: Powered by a 1.0L turbo-petrol (120 hp, 172 Nm), paired with a 7-speed DCT. It delivers linear, practical power but lacks low-end punch before the turbo kicks in. The DCT is smooth at part throttle but slow to respond under heavy acceleration.
• Skoda Kylaq: Features a 1.0L turbo-petrol (115 hp, 178 Nm) with a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Its sporty tune and sport mode with paddle shifters offer sharp, engaging shifts, ideal for spirited driving.
• Mahindra XUV 3XO: Boasts a 1.2L turbo-petrol (130 hp, 230 Nm), the most powerful here, with a 6-speed automatic. Its urgency and refinement shine, though it lacks a sport mode to fully exploit the engine’s potential.

Refinement: The Syros is the quietest, followed by the 3XO with a pleasant rumble. The Kylaq’s engine is less refined but improved over past iterations.

Verdict: The Kylaq is best for enthusiasts craving engagement, the Syros suits daily drivers seeking ease, and the 3XO appeals to those wanting a powerful, balanced drive.

Ride & Handling

• Kia Syros: Excels in city driving with light steering, but its high roof leads to noticeable body roll at speed. Sharp movements on corners can feel unsettling, prioritizing practicality over dynamics.
• Skoda Kylaq: The best-handling SUV here, with confident, predictable cornering and a direct, slightly heavier steering feel. Its compact size and balanced chassis make it feel less like an SUV, appealing to driving enthusiasts.
• Mahindra XUV 3XO: Offers decent handling with a potent engine, but it’s less sure-footed than the Kylaq. Steering modes add heft but lack the Kylaq’s directness, making it less engaging on winding roads.

Who Should Pick What: Kylaq for enthusiasts, Syros for urban ease, 3XO for a balanced drive with power.

Comfort & Suspension

• Mahindra XUV 3XO: Delivers the best ride quality on broken roads, isolating occupants from potholes and rough patches with a plush feel, despite 17-inch wheels on top trims.
• Skoda Kylaq: Strikes a balance between handling and comfort, feeling firm yet acceptable on rough roads. It absorbs bumps well but moves more than the 3XO.
• Kia Syros: Surprisingly firm and unsettled on uneven roads, with constant pitching and bobbing that detracts from comfort, despite its family-focused design.

Best Car: The 3XO excels for city bumps and highway cruising, followed by the Kylaq for balanced comfort. The Syros lags in ride quality.

Fuel Efficiency

• Kia Syros: Delivers ~12 kmpl, boosted by city-friendly drive modes and the 7-speed DCT’s extra gear.
• Skoda Kylaq: Matches the Syros at ~12 kmpl, with consistent efficiency across conditions.
• Mahindra XUV 3XO: Surprisingly efficient at ~12 kmpl, thanks to a subdued eco mode, despite its larger engine.

Verdict: All three are neck-and-neck, but the Syros edges out slightly in urban efficiency due to its drive modes and transmission.

Safety & Features

All three SUVs feature 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, and 5-star Bharat NCAP ratings, ensuring strong safety credentials. Additional details include:

• Kia Syros: Offers Level 2 ADAS (lane assist, adaptive cruise control) as standard, enhancing family safety. Its premium build and tactile controls add to the secure feel.
• Skoda Kylaq: Relies on rear drum brakes but matches rivals in braking performance. Its solid build and smart safety features (e.g., hill hold control) are reliable but lack ADAS in lower trims.
• Mahindra XUV 3XO: Includes a robust safety package with 360° camera (in higher trims) and strong build quality but misses advanced ADAS features compared to the Syros.

Verdict: The Syros leads for family safety with ADAS, followed by the 3XO for its feature-rich package. The Kylaq is solid but less equipped in lower variants.

Pricing & Value for Money

• Kia Syros: At ₹16.80 lakh (top-end, ex-showroom, pre-GST cuts), it’s the priciest, offering premium interiors and features but at C-segment pricing, which may not justify its driving dynamics.
• Skoda Kylaq: At ₹13.99 lakh, it’s the most affordable, delivering sporty dynamics and quality, though it sacrifices some space and features.
• Mahindra XUV 3XO: Priced at ₹15.80 lakh, it offers a balanced package with a powerful engine, comfort, and features, appealing to a broad audience.

Value Proposition: The Kylaq offers the best value for budget-conscious buyers seeking dynamics, while the 3XO balances cost and versatility. The Syros is premium but expensive.

Final Verdict – Which One Should You Buy?

• Kia Syros: Ideal for buyers prioritizing premium interiors, family comfort, and feature-rich tech. Its spacious cabin and safety features make it perfect for urban families, though its price and ride quality are drawbacks.
• Skoda Kylaq: The choice for driving enthusiasts who value sporty handling, proportionate styling, and premium quality. It’s less spacious but offers unmatched driving fun at a lower price.
• Mahindra XUV 3XO: The all-rounder, blending a powerful engine, comfortable ride, and practical space. It suits buyers wanting a versatile SUV with strong road presence and value.

Closing Thoughts: The 3XO wins for its balanced appeal, catering to families and performance seekers alike. The Kylaq is the enthusiast’s pick, while the Syros excels for premium comfort but demands a higher budget. Choose based on your priorities: space and luxury (Syros), driving thrill (Kylaq), or versatility (3XO).

Comparison Table (Quick Look)

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