Kia Sonet: What’s the Most Value for Money Variant?

Kia Sonet: Quick Review

Design and features: The design of the Kia Sonet is one of its strongest points. The car has a modern and sporty look, with the front fascia featuring Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille, which is flanked by LED headlights. The sculpted hood and bold bumper design give the car a muscular stance.

The Sonet has an aerodynamic profile, with a sloping roofline. The large alloy wheels and prominent wheel arches give the car a rugged look. The rear of the Kia Sonet has a stylish LED tail light cluster and a sporty-looking bumper.

The Sonet comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Sonet also comes with a host of convenience features, such as keyless entry, push-button start, automatic climate control, and rear AC vents. The car also has a wireless charging pad and a sunroof.

Engine and performance: The Kia Sonet is available with three engine options – a 1.2-liter petrol engine, a 1.5-liter diesel engine, and a 1.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine. All three engines are paired with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, while the turbocharged petrol and diesel engines are also available with a seven-speed DCT gearbox.

The 1.2-liter petrol engine produces 81.86 BHP and 115 Nm of torque, while the 1.5-liter diesel engine is available in two states of tune – 98.63 BHP and 240 Nm of torque, and 113 BHP and 250 Nm of torque. The 1.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine produces 118 BHP and 172 Nm of torque.

The Sonet’s engines are responsive, and they provide good power delivery across the rev range. The turbocharged petrol engine, in particular, offers quick and smooth acceleration. The gear shifts are smooth and precise.

Ride and handling: The Sonet’s suspension setup is well-tuned, and the car’s MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension work together to absorb bumps and potholes. The Kia Sonet has low levels of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). The car’s well-insulated cabin keeps outside noise to a minimum.

The Sonet has a ground clearance of 211 mm, which is sufficient to tackle most road conditions in India. The car has a responsive steering setup, and its electric power steering is well-tuned, offering good assistance at low speeds. The Sonet offers good stability around corners, and it feels planted even at high speeds. The car has disc brakes on all four wheels.

Comfort and space: The Sonet has comfortable and supportive seats, which provide good lumbar and thigh support. The seats are spacious, and they offer ample legroom and headroom for occupants. However, the space in the rear might feel a little cramped. Besides, the front seats are also height-adjustable. The Sonet’s cabin can accommodate up to five occupants. The Sonet also comes with automatic climate control.

Safety: The Kia Sonet comes with many safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), airbags, rearview camera, parking sensors, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.

Mileage: The Kia Sonet’s mileage ranges from 18.2 km/l to 18.4 km/l, depending upon the variant.

Concluding remarks: The Kia Sonet is an impressive vehicle that offers a host of features and capabilities. With its powerful engine options, responsive handling, and advanced infotainment system, the Kia Sonet delivers a well-rounded and enjoyable driving experience.

Kia Sonet: The Most Value for Money (VFM) Variant

We have identified 2 most VFM variants of the Kia Sonet – one for the petrol version, and one for diesel. These are the Sonet 1.2 HTK Plus (priced at Rs 9.64 lakhs; ex-showroom, Delhi), and the Sonet 1.5 HTK Plus Diesel (priced at Rs 11.39 lakhs; ex-showroom, Delhi).

Most VFM (Petrol) Variant in Comparison with Base Variant

The base variant of the Kia Sonet is the Sonet 1.2 HTE, which is priced at Rs 7.79 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Most Value for Money variant has some additional features over the base, which include power windows in front and rear, keyless entry, reverse parking camera, hill hold assist, 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Arkamys audio system with 4 speakers, 16-inch metallic silver styled wheels, automatic climate control, multifunction steering wheel, fog lights, wireless phone projection, 2 tweeters, follow-me-home headlights, premium black fabric seats, rear parcel shelf, and radiator grille chrome with diamond knurling pattern.

Most VFM (Diesel) Variant in Comparison with Base Variant

The Kia Sonet 1.5 HTK Plus Diesel has some extra features over the base variant, such as reverse parking camera, 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Arkamys audio system with 4 speakers, tyre pressure monitor, automatic climate control, multifunction steering wheel, fog lights, wireless phone projection, 2 tweeters, follow-me-home headlights, premium black fabric seats, rear parcel shelf, radiator grille chrome with diamond knurling pattern, and outside door handle in chrome.

Most VFM (Petrol) Variant in Comparison with Top-end Variant

The top-end variant of the Kia Sonet is the Sonet X-Line Turbo DCT, priced at Rs 13.69 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). Besides having automatic transmission, the top-end variant has some extra features over the petrol VFM variant, such as 6 airbags (instead of 4 in the Most Value for Money variant), ventilated seats, sunroof, OVRM (manual, automatic), LED headlights, navigation support, Bose audio system with 4 speakers, tyre pressure monitor, 16-inch crystal cut alloy wheels, cruise control, DRLs, traction control, leather wrapped D-cut steering wheel with GT line logo, connected infotainment and cluster design in high gloss black, sporty alloy pedals, leatherette wrapped door armrest, rear door sunshade curtain, LED sound mood lights, leatherette sports seats in black with red stitching, advanced 4.2-inch colour instrument cluster, coat hook, red brake calliper in front, sporty red centre wheel caps, Kia Signature tiger nose grill in high glossy black with GT line logo and red accents, front bumper with red accent, rear bumper with dual muffler design and red accent, turbo-shaped masculine skid plates, diffuser fin rear skid plates, outside door handle in chrome, and crown jewel-type LED headlamps.

Most VFM (Diesel) Variant in Comparison with Top-end Variant

Besides automatic transmission, the top-end variant of the Kia Sonet has other extra features over the diesel VFM variant, such as 6 airbags (instead of 4 in the VFM variant), ventilated seats, keyless entry, sunroof, OVRM (manual, automatic), hill hold assist, LED headlights, navigation support, Bose audio system with 4 speakers, 16-inch crystal cut alloy wheels, cruise control, DRLs, and traction control, The rest of the extra features remain the same as in the comparison above.

Key take-outs from the Comparative Analysis of Base, VFM, and Top-end Variants Above

Both VFM variants of the Kia Sonet have some extra key features over the base variant. But the top-end variant comes with a host of other features, and is accordingly priced.

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