Buy Or Hold: Wait For Kia Sonet Or Go For Rivals?

Is the ravishing new Sonet truly worth the wait over its well-established rivals?

Update (18/09/2020): Kia has launched the Sonet with prices beginning from Rs 6.71 lakh (ex-showroom). Read more about it here.

The production-spec version of the Kia Sonet recently made its debut and is expected to be launched towards the end of August. Many feature details of the Sonet are now public while some specifications were already known thanks to some shared mechanicals with the Hyundai Venue. The carmaker hasn’t officially opened the bookings yet but various dealerships have already started taking them. But is the Sonet worth waiting for or should you go for one of its readily available rivals instead?

All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi

Hyundai Venue: BUY for feature rich cabin, multiple powertrain options and butch design

The Venue is the closest to the Sonet, given that they have the same underpinnings and engine options. Like the Sonet, it gets the choice of a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol, 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel. Hyundai has even added a new clutchless manual (iMT) option for the turbo-petrol Venue along with the already available manual and dual-clutch automatic transmissions. While the two have a very different design inside and out, the Venue offers similar features. It comes equipped with connected car technology, a sunroof, upto six airbags and an air purifier. You can also pick it if you prefer the conventional dashboard design of the Venue over the Sonet.

Ford EcoSport: BUY for most powerful petrol engine, premium interiors and good driving manners

For now, the Ford EcoSport’s 1.5-litre petrol engine is still the most powerful in the segment with 122PS on offer. That engine comes with the choice of a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic while the 1.5-litre diesel engine is only offered with a 5-speed manual transmission. Some consider it to be the model that created this segment and the EcoSport has long been appreciated by enthusiasts for its driving dynamics. It’s cabin feels premium and is well equipped too as it comes with Ford’s connected car tech, rain-sensing wipers, upto six airbags, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Mahindra XUV300: BUY for most powerful diesel engine, premium features and high G-NCAP score

When it comes to diesel engine performance, the XUV300 has the highest rated one here since it produces 116.6PS and 300Nm. This 1.5-litre unit comes with the choice of a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed AMT. The 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine is tuned to an output of 120PS and 200Nm but only offered with a 6-speed manual. In terms of features, the XUV300 is highly equipped with upto seven airbags, heated outside rearview mirrors, steering modes, front parking sensors and dual zone auto AC. Also, the XUV300 is the best-performing Indian car in Global NCAP crash tests with a 5-star rating for adult protection and a 4-star rating for child protection. Mahindra is also scheduled to launch a new XUV300 Turbo variant with a more powerful 130PS version of the same turbo-petrol engine.

Tata Nexon: BUY for better cabin space, sleek design and safety with solid build

The Nexon is the only one in this segment with a coupe-styled roofline while still having a tall SUV stance. And with the 2020 facelift, it looks even better than before. When it comes to having a spacious cabin for five, the Tata sub-4m SUV is ahead of its rivals. It even gets Tata’s connected car tech, a sunroof and a digital instrument cluster. The Nexon also has a 5-star safety rating but it only has dual front airbags. It is offered with both petrol and diesel engines with a choice of 6-speed manual and 6-speed AMT. The Tata offering is also the most affordable for a petrol-AMT or diesel-AMT option.

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza: BUY for affordable top-spec, efficient mild-hybrid petrol engine

The best-selling sub-4m SUV in India recently went from being a diesel-only option to being a petrol-only offering with its facelift. It also has a more spacious cabin than most rivals and it now comes with LED headlamps, cruise control and a 4-speed torque convertor automatic. The 1.5-litre petrol engine also has mild-hybrid tech and its ARAI claimed mileage of 18.76kmpl is the best in the segment (for a petrol variant). It’s not the most feature-packed offering compared to its rivals but that does help keep its prices lower.

Kia Sonet: HOLD for diesel-automatic, feature rich cabin and stunning looks

The Sonet has only recently been unveiled in its production-spec avatar. Its design is certainly eye-catching and will be a huge part of its appeal in this segment. Kia will offer it with the same three engines as the Venue and the same transmission options for all three. In addition, the Sonet will also offer a 6-speed torque converter automatic for the diesel engine (first in the segment) which will be a lot more refined than the likes of an AMT. 

It also gets the biggest display in the segment with its 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is integrated into the instrument panel as seen in the Seltos. The Sonet will also be the first to offer ventilated front seats, a Bose sound system and an in-built air purifier system. Of course, all these premium features and powertrain technologies will make it more expensive than most rivals.