Is the Kia Sonet worth the premium it commands?
In the Indian market, the Kia Sonet is creating a buzz with a long list of features in its higher trims. But the top variants cost a bomb with on road prices crossing 18 lakh. The Sonet has attracted the attention of car enthusiasts and potential buyers, who are debating whether it offers good value for money for a sub-4m SUV or it is overpriced. The price would justify the premium features like ventilated seats, 10.25 inch touchscreen and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) seen in the 2024 facelift, some argue. A number of others argue that buyers at this price point should consider more spacious, larger vehicles. The question is whether the Sonet's feature rich package can help overcome the compact size and relatively high price tag in the minds of Indian consumers.
Kia is going a bit overboard with the pricing, I think. Yes, you get a lot of features, but at the end of the day, it’s still a sub 4m SUV. You could get a decent mid size SUV with more space and road presence for 18 lakhs.
I find the Sonet worth every penny as a tech and comfort features person. In this segment, where else do you get ventilated seats, huge touchscreen, ADAS? It's like a mini luxury car.
The problem is Kia has priced the Sonet in a segment where it doesn’t belong. Now it's competing with larger cars, and that's a tough sell no matter how many features you pack in.
People are missing the point, I think. The Sonet isn’t just about the features, it’s about the complete package. It offers a quality, refinement and driving experience a step or two above most rivals. That’s what you’re paying for.
It's all about priorities. The Sonet is good if you want the latest tech and are willing to give up a bit of space. If you need a practical family car though there are better options at this price.
I didn't want to pay the price, but test driving the Sonet and a couple of the other larger SUVs, I decided on the Sonet. The features and quality make the daily drive so much more enjoyable. No regrets.
The best value is had by the base and mid variants of the Sonet. The value proposition gets questionable once you get to the top trims. If you want the Sonet experience, but don’t want to break the bank, stick to the lower variants.
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Discussions and Questions
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