Force Motors Gurkha vs Kia Sonet vs Kia Syros (2026)
The classic compact suv shortlist, settled with numbers (October 2026):
- Pick the Force Motors Gurkha if you want the most power (138 bhp), the most seats (7).
- Pick the Kia Sonet if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.45 Lakh), the best claimed efficiency (up to 24.1 kmpl).
- Pick the Kia Syros if you want the best crash-test score (5 stars), the biggest boot (465 L).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
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 Sonet in short
The Kia Sonet is one of the most feature-loaded sub-4-metre SUVs on sale, and its 2024 facelift sharpened the styling while making six airbags standard across the range. It remains the only car in its class to offer a diesel-automatic combination, giving it a unique selling point against the Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue and Mahindra XUV 3XO. The wide engine-gearbox matrix and segment-first features like ventilated seats and a 360-degree camera keep it a strong all-rounder.
Full Sonet 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
Gurkha vs Sonet vs Syros — which should I buy?
Pick the Force Motors Gurkha if you want the most power (138 bhp), the most seats (7). Pick the Kia Sonet if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.45 Lakh), the best claimed efficiency (up to 24.1 kmpl). Pick the Kia Syros if you want the best crash-test score (5 stars), the biggest boot (465 L). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Gurkha, Sonet, Syros?
The Kia Sonet starts lowest at ₹7.45 Lakh, against ₹8.42 Lakh for the Syros and ₹16.31 Lakh for the Gurkha (ex-showroom, October 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Force Motors Gurkha: not yet NCAP-tested; Kia Sonet: not yet NCAP-tested; Kia Syros: 5 stars.