Kia Sonet

Expert Review by Maxabout

The Kia Sonet has gained a great place in the Indian automotive market since its introduction. It is in the sub compact SUV category, which is aimed towards the increasing shifting preferences towards compact powerful vehicles which do more than just being visually appealing. The Kia Sonet left a mark of intrigue and excitement even on the first time use of it. It was the daring look and too extrovert personalities in features which invited me and I wanted to know how it would perform in real life situations. The Sonet is interestingly positioned as a compact SUV that is value for money in the subcompact segment and appeals to many Indian customers.

Design and Aesthetics

Without doubts, the Kia Sonet has an attractive design which they have used to achieve a competitive advantage over their rivals. Its front is adorned by the trademark ‘Tiger Nose’ grille of the Crossover and has sleek LED head lights that give the vehicle a sporty appearance. The sculpted bonnet plus sharp character lines further accentuate the vehicle’s active looks while dual tone alloy wheels and connected tail lamps improves on the sportiness of the vehicle. If I am to be honest, I think the Sonet comes off as very sporty and youthful which accentuates the vehicle’s target market even further.

Before stepping into the cabin of this stylish sub compact SUV, the Sonet grabs your attention with a cabin that is beautiful yet practical. A large touchscreen infotainment system being the centerpiece of the elegant fully digital interface makes the dashboard’s design quite simple. Also, use of high quality materials and additional details as ambient lighting or flat bottom steering wheel help create a premium environment. Both long drives and short ones are taken with grace as the seats remain comfortable and well supported. As far as declarative impressions go, this speaks volumes for Kia in terms of how far they are willing to go towards improving design without compromising functionality.

Performance and Powertrain

Now, lets see what more the Kia Sonet has to offer which we have not yet covered. The petrol fuel lineup consists of a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine and a 1.0-litre turbocharged internal combustion engine, diesel variant has 1.5 litre engine. These engines are coupled with several types of transmission such as 5 speeds manual and 6 speeds manual, automatic 6 speed plus 7 speed dual clutch DCT for the turbo petrol variant.

To drive the Sonet is fun, as the petrol turbo is peppy enough for city driving and highway fjords. This can be suffered with the diesel engine as long as there is torque and good efficiency when grueling for long trips. The Sonet's suspension provides a good mix of comfort and handling, happily soaking most bumps on the road but still feels stable at high speeds. From what I observed, the Sonet is very good in terms of driving, regardless of the driving conditions.

Features and Technology

As for the Kia Sonet, considering its features and technology, it is one of the most well equipped cars in its class. The infotainment system offers a Bluetooth enabled 10.25 inch screen along with Apple CarPlay and Android auto compatibility. The Sonet also comes with features comprising a bose premium sound system, wireless phone charging, and an air cleaner which all contribute to better driving experience.

The safety is taken care of in terms of safety equipment availability in a Sonet such as multiple airbags, EBD optical, ABS, and ADAS systems wherein the car is equipped with lane keep assist along with a front collision warning. Such improvement adds to the safety of the users of the vehicle as well as enhances the ease of handling of the vehicle in day-to-day usage. I also consider that technology provided within the Sonet is simple to operate and makes the car look more attractive as a modern, connected SUV.

Variants

There are varied variants of the Kia Sonet based on the budget and other preferences of the individuals. The variant line up has the base model HTE, mid-level HTK, HTX with top-end GTX, X Line. Studies show that some unique aspects of each variant and experiences are provided at the higher trims where sources indicate sunroofs, ventilated seats and even a 360degree camera are added.

Considering the variant HTK+, I think it is the best variant to buy as it includes all the basic features and stays within the budget. For other people who are looking for something more premium, the GTX+ with its features and sporty look is also something worth considering.

Market Position and Pricing

As far as prices are concerned, the Kia Sonet’s price tag is favorable and competitors is a good position in, or the subcompact SUV segment where the Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Brezza are its rivals. The base variant of the car is priced at roughly Rs. 8 lakh and the top-spec one will go up to Rs. 15.77 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Pricing the Sonet at this range allows it to stand out in the hearts of the consumers who basically are in that segment of features at mid-range crossovers.

On the other hand, the Sonet is well loaded content and comes with a very good design compared to all other similar products in competition making it a market leader. The price form is such that it is favorable to potential buyers since Kona is known for quality and reliability and this works in positively enhancing the market.

Target Audience

Through this understanding, Kia aims at capturing the attention of different segments that include professionals and smaller families, young in addition to the elderly. As it is small and easy to handle, it is suitable for city people while some from active lifestyle and with sufficient room space measures it. Understanding the Sonet, consumers will enjoy commuting inside a stylish and technology laden vehicle that is still performing. The Sonet is a car where its performance and postures stand in the consideration of various planes.

Value for Money

Value for money is one area where Kia Sonet excels within its competition. It is well packaged in terms of performance, its features and design at a reasonable price. The presence of several variants guarantees that there is a Sonet for every pocket, hence appealing to a large market. To me, value for money is probably one of the biggest selling points with the Sonet since it offers a number of features that are usually not offered in that price range which is a good thing.

Mileage and Fuel Efficiency

The Kia sonet also has good resilience in regard to the fuel consumption level with the petrol variants reporting ARAI assorted mileage of between 18.3 to 18.4 kmpl while the diesel variants reaching up to 19 kmpl sewn over moisture barrier. These parameters are in the range of best in the segment. They enhance the Sonet's features of being economical for day to day and even long distance travelling. In my undoubtful views, sonet’s fuel economy is practical in the city as well as on the highway and this makes budget buyers’ lifestyles affordable.

Competitors and Comparison

All things considered, it comes out on top against the main rivals. Kia Sonet possesses extensive features, beautiful appearance and off road. The Sub compact SUV segment is packed with competitors such as Hyundai Kona, Tata Nexon, Maruti suzuki Brezza which often stand out at one point or the other.

The Sonet has an upper hand because it has a much better designed cabin along with more sophisticated technology which Venue has mastered at creating fuss free driving conditions. The Nexon however has impressive safety features while the Brezza has good durability along with great customer service. Personally, I think that the fact that the Sonet combines stylish design and modern features coverts people who value such things in the SUV.

Conclusion

To conclude, the Kia Sonet is as good as it fosters, subcompact SUV that integrates aspects such as design and performance with advanced features. The reasonable prices combined with many variants allows a great number of people to afford it, even though it’s design and high tech makes it different from the other micro SUVs. From a reviewer’s point of view, I do appreciate the fact that the Sonet is able to create a segment in the market where it provides premium products at affordable prices and changes the landscape of the Indian automotive sector. Be it the young professional looking for a trendy vehicle, or the entire family searching for the right vehicle, the Kia Sonet is undoubtfully an attractive option that should be evaluated closely.