Review by j@ck : Kia Sonet

 

Kia really made a mark in the mid-size SUV space with the Seltos, and now, with its compact SUV the Sonet, it’s looking for another mega hit. Like the Seltos, the Sonet is an all-new model for Kia that made its global debut right here in India and will later be sold in other markets.

It shares a platform with the Hyundai Venue, and though you’d expect the Sonet to feel the same from behind the wheel, the two Korean firms take a very divergent approach with their platform sharing. Unlike the badge-engineered or mild-facelift alterations we’ve seen others opt for, Hyundai and Kia have made sure their shared products have little in common. The exteriors and interiors bear no similarity, and both also feel a bit different to drive, thanks to subtle changes to the tuning of the engine and suspension.

 

There are four engines. An 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol mated to a 5-speed manual, a 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo petrol mated to a 7-speed DCT auto or a 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual), and a 1.5-litre diesel that puts out 100hp when coupled to a 6-speed manual.

What’s the Kia Sonet diesel auto like?

Interestingly, the diesel is the same powertrain that does duty in the Seltos, putting out an identical 115hp and 250Nm. The diesel manual gets the fixed-geometry-turbo engine (instead of the variable-geometry unit on the auto) and puts out a lower 100hp and 240Nm of torque.

How about the Kia Sonet turbo-petrol?

The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol is shared with the Venue, and while Hyundai offers it with a manual, DCT or iMT, Kia only offers the Sonet with the DCT and iMT. The engine puts out the same 120hp and 172Nm as the Venue and the all-aluminium unit is nicely balanced, so you can hardly feel the typical thrum of a three-pot motor. Refinement is also very good and it’s only when you rev it to the redline that it gets a bit vocal. The punchy midrange and the ease with which it builds power makes it a fun drive, and while there are no paddle shifters like you get in the Venue, there is a sequential function via the gear lever, so enthusiasts can engage with the gearbox and this feisty engine.

What is the Kia Sonet’s performance like?

The diesel auto was the quickest. In a quick test, it did the dash to 100kph in just 11.48sec compared to the petrol DCT’s 12.25sec and 13.37sec for the iMT. The diesel was also ahead in the roll-on acceleration runs, registering 8.09sec from 40-100kph and 6.29sec from 20-80kph. The petrol DCT posted a slower 9.10sec and 7.48sec for the same 40-100kph and 20-80kph runs; being autos, of course, both times were the result of a sharp kick-down on the accelerator in full auto driving. The iMT posted 13.55secfor 40-100kph in fourth gear and 11.19sec for 20-80kph in third gear.

Kia Sonet performance (as tested)*
	Sonet 1.0 Turbo iMT	Sonet 1.0 Turbo DCT	Sonet 1.5 Diesel AT
0-20kph	1.48s	1.56s	1.17s
0-40kph	3.27s	3.40s	2.51s
0-60kph	6.12s	5.78s	4.70s
0-80kph	9.38s	8.90s	7.78s
0-100kph	13.37s	12.25s	11.48s
0-120kph	19.87s	17.28s	15.76s
20-80kph	11.19s (in 3rd gear)	7.48s (in kickdown)	6.29s (in kickdown)
40-100kph	13.55s (in 4th gear)	9.10s (in kickdown)	8.09s (in kickdown)

*Performance figures not to standards

How is the Kia Sonet’s ride and handling?

In terms of handling, the diesel and petrol feel a bit different. The diesel has a slightly heavier steering and is a bit more nose heavy. The petrol felt nicer to steer and turned into corners with a bit more agility. Both cars feel nicely planted and offer a great degree of confidence at high speeds, which makes them good long-distance cruisers. Overall grip through corners is good, and body roll is well contained. The steering feel on both is pretty similar – there isn’t much feedback, but on the plus side, it is light enough in the city and has enough weight at higher speeds. The light controls, decent all-round visibility, tight turning circle and compact dimensions make the Sonet very urban-friendly and easy to slot into tight parking spots.

The drive modes do alter the steering feel, though the influence is minimal and only felt in Sport mode, with the steering firming up a bit. Unique to the segment, the Sonet also offers traction modes (Snow, Mud and Sand). We couldn’t get round to testing these, but will certainly go through them in detail in our full-blown road test.

What’s it like on the outside?

The front, of course, carries the signature Kia ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, which has a nice knurled and chrome-finished lower edge, and on the GT Line, there are some neat red accents too. The headlights are slim LED units with the signature ‘heartbeat’ DRL light design, and they sit atop a very sharply cut bumper that houses the fog lights and a faux skid plate. Topping off the front, the bonnet has a nice and subtle power bulge.

What’s the Kia Sonet’s interior like?

In terms of interior space, it’s no surprise the Sonet is similar to the Venue, and that means space is not class leading. Like with the Venue, the rear seat is relatively cramped and best for two not-too-tall passengers. The rear seat itself is quite comfy, with plush padding, though thigh support is a bit short. Up front, it’s a different story. The front seats are large, well bolstered and ventilated which, in peak summer, is a big plus.

Ventilated front seats are unique in this segment and are quite comfortable.

Where the Sonet really scores is with cabin quality. The choice of materials used gives a quality feel that’s not just better than rivals (the Venue included), but also cars of a segment above. The richly textured dashboard top, the chunky steering wheel with superbly crafted buttons, and the overall tactile feel of all the switchgear are top class. Personally, I’m not a fan of the central air-con vents’ look, but love the way they adjust with a solid and damped feel. I’m also not a fan of the digital instrument cluster and would have preferred a traditional needle to display speed, but I suppose it’s been designed for the new ‘digital’ customer.

 

Should you buy a Kia Sonet?

It’s beautifully styled with good proportions and lots of striking details, the interiors are very well appointed, finished to a high order and packed with features, many of which are first in class. It’s also effortless and very enjoyable to drive, and the diesel auto overshadows the turbo-petrol in almost every way; it’s absolutely brilliant. There are also other powertrain options to choose from, depending on your budget.

Expect a Rs 6.5 to 11.9 lakh (ex-showroom) price tag for the Kia Sonet.

Of course, the pricing is a key factor in the Sonet’s ultimate success, but after what we’ve seen and driven, there’s no doubt that Kia has another winner on its hands.