Citroen AircrossX vs Force Motors Gurkha vs Kia Syros (2026)
The classic compact suv shortlist, settled with numbers (October 2026):
- Pick the Citroen AircrossX if you want the best crash-test score (5 stars), the most seats (7).
- Pick the Force Motors Gurkha if you want the most power (138 bhp).
- Pick the Kia Syros if you want the lowest starting price (₹8.42 Lakh), the best claimed efficiency (up to 20.8 kmpl), the biggest boot (465 L).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
Citroen AircrossX in short
The AircrossX is the October 2025 refresh of the C3 Aircross, and at ₹8.89 lakh it is India's cheapest 7-seat SUV. It offers 5- and 7-seat layouts, 200 mm of ground clearance, a 444-litre boot in 5-seat form and the same 82 PS NA / 110 PS turbo 1.2 petrol pair as the BasaltX with 6-speed manual or torque-converter automatic. A 5-star Bharat NCAP adult-occupant rating and six standard airbags give it a safety edge over the Maruti Ertiga and Renault Triber it undercuts on the 7-seat count.
Full AircrossX prices & variants →Force Motors Gurkha in short
The Gurkha is Force Motors' hardcore ladder-frame off-roader, reborn in 2024 in 3-door 5-seat and 5-door 7-seat forms. Its trump card is unmatched at any price near it: front AND rear mechanical differential locks as standard — the Mahindra Thar and Thar Roxx offer at most a rear locker — plus a 700 mm water-wading depth and 233 mm of ground clearance. The FM 2.6 diesel makes 140 PS and 320 Nm through a 5-speed manual with low-range 4x4 on every unit; there is no petrol, no automatic and, unusually, no published ARAI mileage figure.
Full Gurkha prices & variants →Kia Syros in short
Launched in early 2025, the Kia Syros slots between the Sonet and Seltos with boxy, EV3-inspired styling and a surprisingly premium cabin. It brings big-car features to the sub-4-metre class, including a panoramic sunroof, Level 2 ADAS and segment-first reclining-and-sliding rear seats with ventilation. A 5-star Bharat NCAP rating strengthens its case against the Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza and its own sibling, the Sonet.
Full Syros prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
AircrossX vs Gurkha vs Syros — which should I buy?
Pick the Citroen AircrossX if you want the best crash-test score (5 stars), the most seats (7). Pick the Force Motors Gurkha if you want the most power (138 bhp). Pick the Kia Syros if you want the lowest starting price (₹8.42 Lakh), the best claimed efficiency (up to 20.8 kmpl), the biggest boot (465 L). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among AircrossX, Gurkha, Syros?
The Kia Syros starts lowest at ₹8.42 Lakh, against ₹8.89 Lakh for the AircrossX and ₹16.31 Lakh for the Gurkha (ex-showroom, October 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Citroen AircrossX: 5 stars; Force Motors Gurkha: not yet NCAP-tested; Kia Syros: 5 stars.