Kia Sonet

Kia Sonet

The Kia Sonet has turned out to be a good proposition for Kia Motors in the compact SUV category of the Indian auto market. The Sonet looks and feels attractive, while offering good features and a refined driving experience overall.

How is the Design?

The Kia Sonet offers an attractive design which looks quite stylish on the road. The Sonet is a more aggressively styled compact SUV with its bonnet lines, jewel-like LED DRLs, the tiger-nose grille, which is a Kia signature, and of course, the neat rear design. The Sonet is slightly wider and taller than the Venue while offering more ground clearance and also boot space. Yet, it is smaller than the XUV300 regarding its dimensions.

How does it perform?

The Kia Sonet gets the 1.5 litre diesel engine in two tune states with automatic and manual transmission options. This creates a new trend in this segment. It is also a smooth diesel engine. There is also a naturally aspirated 1.2 litre petrol engine with a 5-speed manual transmission unit and a turbocharged 1.0 litre engine with 7-speed DCT and 6-speed iMT options. The diesel engine is perhaps the most refined and smooth in the category, while Kia has also kept noise levels at a minimum. The petrol engines are also powerful enough and do well in n city and on highway roads alike. The diesel engine has power between 1800-4000 RPM and this makes it a good highway driver overall. The engine, however, has some noise and feels underpowered after crossing the 4000 RPM mark. The 6-speed torque converter automatic is the pick of the lot in this case. The automatic gearbox also responds smoothly to shifts.

How’s the mileage?

• Petrol Manual- 18.4 kmpl
• Diesel Manual- 24.1 kmpl
• Petrol iMT- 18.2 kmpl
• Petrol Automatic- 18.3 kmpl
• Diesel Automatic- 19 kmpl

How’s the driving experience?

The Kia Sonet offers a smooth and seamless driving experience overall. It comes with good drivability. There is a little movement, although the car takes undulating and bad roads in its stride. The suspension system is on the firmer side and the ride quality is also stiffer at lower speeds. The feel is uncomfortable at higher speeds as well. Kia has improved the ride quality in this case. The Sonet handles decently, however, with its rigid chassis inspiring confident direction changes at high speeds. There is low body roll, and this makes it a good option for the highway. Feedback from the steering wheel is also decent.

What’s the interior like?

The Kia Sonet has a plush and welcoming interior. The rear space is slightly tighter, although it is wider than the Venue. The Seltos has its mark all over this cabin as well. The dashboard is similar with the 10.25-inch touch screen infotainment unit and the instrument cluster. The touch screen system comes with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and Android Auto, while there is a Bose audio system. The interiors are clutter-free for the most part although the aesthetics may divide buyers. The GT Line version comes with an all-black theme. There are ventilated seats in front, along with bigger buttons for the central console. There is also an integrated air purifier for the car. There is space only for four adults in the car while the headroom is also not as good as you would want. Legroom is also minimal. There are several utility spaces in the cabin as well.

Tech and infotainment

There is the 10.25-inch touch screen infotainment unit with Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There are several connectivity features along with an audio system from Bose, air purifier, and several other features.

Safety equipment

The Sonet comes with six airbags, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, and the tyre pressure monitoring system.

Which variant to buy?

The HTK+ variant offers the most value with availability across all the gearbox and engine combinations. This has several features like projector fog lamps, automatic headlamps, automatic climate control and the 8-inch touch screen infotainment unit with Arkamys audio. There is the rear view camera as well. The HTK+ turbo petrol has even more features. If you want all the other features like the sunroof, connected car features, and ventilated seats, then you may consider the costlier HTX+ variant which comes at a king’s ransom over the HTK+. This gets pretty much all the features. Pay just a little more and you get the top-end GTX+ with a few other additions.

Which cars compete in the segment?

The Sonet takes on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Hyundai Venue and the Ford EcoSport in its segment. The Mahindra XUV300 is the only one without an automatic gearbox combination for its petrol engine. The Kia Sonet has the costliest petrol-manual combo. The Tata Nexon offers the cheapest petrol-automatic combination. The Venue offers the cheapest DCT automatic combination. The top-end Sonet is costlier than the top-end Venue, although it has more features. Overall, the Sonet can be costlier, especially for its diesel variants, but it has the features and refinement to make a mark in this segment.

Verdict (Value for Money)

The Sonet offers great refinement, good engines, excellent interiors, great features, and brand value. However, interior space is still on the lower side, while the ride quality could have been better. Yet, it leaves its own mark, especially when compared to some other cars which are not as well-equipped in the compact SUV segment.