Does the Kia Sonet's 1.0L turbo-petrol engine live up to all the hype on the road?

Ashutosh on 03 January 2025 12:35
Of course, the Kia Sonet’s 1.0L turbo-petrol has been the talking point among car enthusiasts, and Kia has been marketing it as peppy and fun to drive. The debate, however, has been around how this small turbocharged engine performs in real world conditions in a country like India that has varied driving environments. Owners that like it note it's responsive and fun to drive on the highway whilst others complain about lag in the city and less than stellar fuel efficiency. It's a common debate of whether this engine is fit for a compact SUV and how it measures up to naturally aspirated engines of similar class. There's also interest in how the engine works with other transmission options like the DCT and iMT. I am finding out other people's real world experience will the 1.0 L trobo Petrol engine in this engine and how does work, its efficiency if its caramelised for indian driving conditions.
Nimish on 22 November 2024 09:20
I have the 1.0L turbo with the DCT and it is a lot of fun to drive! Yes, there's a bit of lag below 2000 rpm, but once it's on the go it's really quite quick. It's great for highway overtakes.

Priyanka on 23 November 2024 16:40
I honestly believe that a turbo engine is really overkill on a car this small. Fuel economy is disappointing and the lag in stop and go traffic can be annoying. Most buyers will find the naturally aspirated engine makes more sense.

Arjun on 02 December 2024 12:18
I've driven both the turbo and NA versions and the turbo is a ton more fun. It’s not cheap, however, and is less fuel efficient. It's a head vs heart decision.

Agha on 05 December 2024 03:41
The sweet spot is the iMT with the turbo engine. It’s the fun of a manual without the clutch fatigue in traffic. It is the best of both worlds and takes advantage of the engine's character.

Lokesh on 09 December 2024 14:03
I had doubts about a 1.0L engine in an SUV but it’s very capable. It won’t win drag races, but for driving everyday and the occasional highway trip it’s more than adequate.

Kuldeep on 10 December 2024 19:30
In slow moving traffic the turbo engine with the DCT can be jerky. They're like the transmission gets confused. Great for open road, but not so great for bumper to bumper city driving.

Saket on 14 December 2024 02:48
I was worried about performance coming from a larger naturally aspirated engine. In the mid range though, the turbo Sonet does actually feel more responsive. The thing is, how you drive it.

Monika on 22 December 2024 11:02
The truth is, the 1.0L turbo isn't going to provide much in the way of practical benefits for most users. Typical Indian driving conditions are smoother and more predictable for the regular petrol engine.


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