Kia Sonet 2024 vs Tata Nexon 2023 vs Maruti Suzuki Fronx: Comparing Their Variants Priced Rs 10-12 Lakh for First-time Car Buyers

Buying a car for the first time, but confused about which are the best, or top cars for first-time buyers in India, and which option to choose? Let’s look at the Kia Sonet 2024, Tata Nexon 2023 and Maruti Suzuki Fronx, and find out which of their variants will be the best for you.

In this first-time car buyers’ guide, we will share

• What a first-time buyer should look for in a car
• Kia Sonet 2024 vs Tata Nexon 2023 vs Maruti Suzuki Fronx – an in-depth guide to their variants, features, cost, and driveability
• How to pick the right car for you

So, are these affordable cars for first-time buyers in India? And which variant of these models is the right car for a first-time car buyer? Let’s find out.

What a First-time Car Buyer Looks for in a Car

This is what a first-time buyer should look for in a car:

• Safety – What safety features does the car have? What is its safety rating?
• Affordability – The car should be well within budget and affordable.
• Fuel efficiency – The car should have good fuel efficiency, thereby reducing its running cost.
• Ease of driving – The car should be easy to drive, with features that help in driving and offer convenience for new drivers

For most first-time buyers, affordability is the top priority along with decent features and solid safety equipment. Reliable after-sales service provides peace of mind. They prefer no-frills, low maintenance variants that are easy to drive daily over more powerful or feature-packed trims. The idea is to get a worry-free, value-for-money ownership experience. Good fuel economy, visibility and manoeuvrability also make drives hassle-free.

Why Kia Sonet 2024, Tata Nexon 2023 and Maruti Suzuki Fronx are popular

The Sonet, Nexon and Fronx all score highly as good starter vehicles. Both the Sonet and Nexon start at excellent prices – ₹7.49 lakhs and ₹7.60 lakhs respectively making them very affordable. The Fronx is value-packed too starting at ₹8.59 lakhs. Their frugal petrol engines help keep running costs low.

Generous safety equipment like up to 6 airbags provide reassurance. Heightened stance aids visibility while ride quality is sorted too. Additionally, extensive service network of Maruti and growing presence of Kia & Tata ensures support pan-India.

For all these reasons, these sub-compact SUVs satisfy first-time buyers wanting modern essentials without too many headaches.

Kia Sonet 2024, Tata Nexon 2023 and Maruti Suzuki Fronx variants shortlist in Rs 10-12 lakh range

For Kia Sonet 2024, we have:

For Tata Nexon 2023, we have:

For Maruti Suzuki Fronx, we have:

Kia Sonet Variants

Both mid-spec Sonet variants offer strong value packing in 6 airbags, auto headlamps, steering controls, rear sensors etc. HTX enhancement adds niceties like ambient lighting, LED lamps etc. If you’re a performance enthusiast, you can check out our comparison of the Sonet 2024 with Skoda Kushaq.

Tata Nexon Pure S

The Nexon Pure S itself gets essentials like auto headlamps, push button start, rear camera, electric mirrors etc. Safety is also well covered with 6 airbags, traction control. Decent value as starter car. If you’re looking for value for money cars, you can check out our guide to the best Nexon 2023 variants for you.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx Variants

Both Fronx turbo-petrols score highly on features. While Alpha is more indulgent with connected tech, 360 camera etc., Zeta balances requirements with 16-inch alloys, auto AC, push button start, 4 airbags. Reasonable trims for new buyers. If you’re budget conscious, you can read our comparison of the Fronx with Hyundai Exter.

Our Pick for the Best variant among Kia Sonet 2024, Tata Nexon 2023 and Maruti Suzuki Fronx for First-time car buyers

The Kia Sonet HTX variant priced at ₹11.49 lakhs emerges the winner here based on its impressive mix of abundant safety equipment and convenience features.

It packs segment essentials like 6 airbags, electronic stability control and all round disc brakes ensuring protection isn’t overlooked. At the same time, kit like an air purifier, ambient lighting, wireless charger isn’t amiss either keeping things modern. Important aspects like ride quality, responsiveness of engine are well-sorted too in this sporty turbo-petrol variant. Lastly priced competitively as well undercutting most rivals.

While both Nexon and Maruti are good starter options themselves offering the latest creature comforts, neither packs advanced air purification system nor dedicated wireless charging like the Sonet. Tata surprisingly skips on ambient mood lighting too, compromising experience. Meanwhile Fronx also trails on airbag count with 4 and is pricier. Hence the well-rounded Sonet HTX suits first-timers best here.

The Top 3 choices

1. Kia Sonet HTX iMT
2. Tata Nexon Pure S
3. Maruti Fronx Zeta

How to Pick the Right Car for You

• The Sonet HTX iMT clearly leads the way packing best-in-class features, abundant safety kit, sporty turbo-petrol engine into a feature-rich package priced competitively as well. Hard to fault as a first car.
• The Nexon Pure S impresses by getting basics like auto headlamps, rear camera and most essentially 6 airbags right from the base ₹10.2 lakh variant itself. Uncompromised safety gives it an advantage.
• The Fronx Zeta undercuts both models by at least ₹45,000. So makes its case to the budget focused buyer wanting essential auto headlamps, rear sensors and reasonable power and mileage without sacrificing too much on safety or features.

The Sonet HTX is the default choice with its completeness. But sensibly priced Nexon and value leader Fronx also endear themselves to specific priorities like safety and affordability crucial for new owners.

If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.