The fuel efficiency details of the Kia Sonet facelift were unveiled shortly before the official announcement of its prices. With this update, Kia has reintroduced the diesel-manual powertrain option, offering a total of three engines and six gearbox choices for consumers.
However, the mileage specifics for the Sonet diesel manual variant are yet to be disclosed as it is currently undergoing certification. In the meantime, information about the performance of the updated Sonet has been made available through the release of the ARAI fuel efficiency ratings for the other powertrain options.
The available powertrain options and their corresponding ARAI-rated fuel efficiency are as follows:
- Sonet 1.0-litre turbo-petrol with DCT: 19.2kpl
- Sonet diesel with iMT: 22.3kpl
- These figures position the Sonet in the middle of the compact SUV segment in terms of fuel efficiency.
Let's delve into a detailed comparison of the ARAI fuel efficiency for the Sonet facelift and its outgoing model:
KIA SONET FUEL EFFICIENCY (ARAI)
Powertrain Sonet Facelift Outgoing Sonet
1.2P-MT 18.83kpl 18.4kpl
1.0P-iMT 18.7kpl 18.2kpl
1.0P-DCT 19.2kpl 18.3kpl
1.5D-MT NA NA
1.5D-iMT 22.3kpl NA
1.5D-AT 18.6kpl 19kpl
Examining the data, both petrol engines in the Sonet facelift, the 83hp 1.2-litre petrol and the 120hp 1.0-litre turbo-petrol, show slightly higher ARAI-rated efficiency figures compared to the outgoing model. However, the 116hp 1.5-litre diesel variant appears to deliver slightly less efficiency per kilometer than its predecessor.
Breaking down the fuel efficiency figures for specific powertrain options:
- The Sonet's 84hp petrol with a 5-speed manual gearbox claims 18.83km/l.
- The 120hp turbo-petrol, available with 6-speed iMT and 7-speed dual-clutch auto options, is rated at 18.7kpl and 19.2kpl, respectively.
- The Sonet diesel claims 22.3 kpl when combined with the 6-speed iMT, however, the variant with the 6-speed torque converter reports an ARAI-rated 18.6 kpl.
Comparing the fuel efficiency of the Sonet facelift with rivals in the market:
KIA SONET FACELIFT PETROL VS RIVALS (ARAI)
Engines Kia Sonet Suzuki Fronx Suzuki Brezza Tata Nexon
Petrol-MT 18.83kpl 21.79kpl 17.38kpl -
Petrol-AT - 22.89kpl (AMT) 19.8kpl -
Turbo-petrol-MT 18.7kpl 21.5kpl - 17.44kpl
Turbo-petrol-AT 19.2kpl 20.01kpl (AT) - 17.18kpl (AMT)/17.01kpl (DCT)
KIA SONET FACELIFT DIESEL VS RIVALS (ARAI)
Powertrains Kia Sonet Tata Nexon
Diesel-MT - 23.23kpl
Diesel-iMT 22.3kpl -
Diesel-AT 18.6kpl 24.08kpl (AMT)
The comparison highlights that the Sonet petrol variants exhibit fuel efficiency comparable to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, with the Fronx leading the pack, especially in the 1.2-litre version. Meanwhile, the Sonet diesel-iMT is closely matched with the diesel Nexon in terms of efficiency, although the Nexon's AMT contributes to a significantly higher figure compared to the Sonet diesel's torque converter auto.
It's worth noting that the sister brand Hyundai's Venue, which shares the same three engine options, is likely to have similar efficiency numbers, although Hyundai has not yet disclosed their respective mileage figures.
Conclusion
Kia Sonet facelift offers a varied choice of powertrain options as well as competitive fuel efficiency numbers putting it on the map as a formidable contender in the compact SUV sector. The availability of both petrol and diesel variants, along with a variety of gearbox choices, caters to the diverse preferences of consumers in the Indian market. As the automotive landscape continues to evolve, fuel efficiency remains a crucial factor for buyers, and the Sonet facelift aims to meet these expectations while offering a refreshed and updated driving experience.