Kia has created a strong fanbase just within a short period after its debut in India. After Seltose the market for the Mid-size SUV of Kia, Sonet is increasing rapidly. This car comes with a bunch of features and an eye-catching design. We have reviewed the Kia Sonet 1.0 L Turbo DCT, here’s what we think of this variant of Sonet.
Also read: Kia Sonet Crosses 1.5 Lakh Sales Milestone
The exterior is full of premium touches here and there. The grille is devoid of any chrome which further complements its butch appeal. The headlamps are LED units and there are nice piano black housings for the fog lamps. The 16” alloy wheels take all the attention to the side with their design and style. The Sonet is also available in two-tone treatment. Another highlight is the C-pillar which Kia has dubbed as roll-bar styled and it further boosts its muscular looks. The tail lamps are LED units too and the whole layout of the rear end gels well with the rest of the car and its muscular look.
Designed to maximize driver and passenger comfort, the Sonet’s interior is modern, vibrant, and offers a high sense of dynamism to drivers. Its dashboard provides owners with the car’s full range of user-friendly features, including a two-layer tray to store mobile devices and other items while driving. A large 10.25-inch HD screen gets UVO connectivity options. Apart from the usual AV duties, it puts out live traffic information and Over-The-Air (OTA) map updates. A wireless smartphone charger with a cooling function has also been incorporated. It also gets an Air purifier with Virus protection technology, a 7-speaker Bose sound system, and ventilated front seats for both driver and front passenger. The Sonet comes with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and cruise control. It does miss out on a 360-degree camera though. A one-touch sunroof is also included in the package.
The Sonet comes equipped with 6 airbags, ESP, ABS, and traction control which has 3 settings: Snow, mud, and sand. The only gripe that we have is the absence of a telescopic steering wheel. The rear seats are quite spacious and more comfortable than the Venue and the seats are well contoured with optimum padding. Kia also claims that they have worked on the AC to comply with Indian conditions and that shows because when we were out in the scorching heat, the powerful AC managed to keep us calm and cool. The Sonet has a boot space that can hold 392 liters of luggage.
For those who want a turbocharged engine with automatic transmission, Sonet can fit into the choice. The 1.0liter DCT Turbo engine in this sub-4-meter SUV delivers decent power. The engine is capable of delivering 118 bhp of power at 6000 rpm and 172 nm of torque. It comes mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The turbo kicks in at around 2000 rpm and the power meat comes between 2000 to 6000 rpm. You can drive in 5th gear for speeds as low as 50 kmph. Coming to the modes, it comes with 3 modes. From which Eco mode provides the maximum fuel efficiency. The second is the default mode where the car will start, This normal default mode provides a combination of good fuel efficiency and good power. Last but not least is the sports mode of this car which makes it more enthusiastic and responsive to accelerator pish gets better with a quicker acceleration. The gear shifts in manual mode happen at around 6500 rpm while in the sport mode gear shifts are faster at 6000 rpm. It can go from 0 to 100 in 11.4 seconds.
The turbocharged petrol engine delivers smooth power and is a decently fun driving experience. The gear shifts happen very quickly in normal mode. The engine is easygoing and provides ease in driving with any driving issues. The ride and suspension of this Sonet variant are a little stiff. If the tire pressure is high you can feel every little bump on the steering wheel. The steering wheel is also a little heavy in the sports mode and doesn’t feel as connected as you want to feel with the road. This car is not for the enthusiast but does provide decent handling. It has 205 mm of ground clearance which brings in body role while driving in corners. But it sure provides a better ride on the bad roads. The suspension provides a much better and more comfortable ride at higher speeds while driving on Highways. This variant of Sonet delivers fuel efficiency of 11 kmpl in the city while on highways it can reach 15 kmpl; The average fuel efficiency of this Sonet variant is around 12 to 13 kmpl.
It is not exactly a sporty SUV, but Sonet provides an Overall mixture of good power and comfort. Comparatively, Hyundai’s venue provides a more comfortable drive with better ride quality, While the XUV300 provides a more engaging drive to an enthusiast driver. If you want a mix of both power and comfort then the Kia Sonet will serve your needs. The Sonet comes with a starting range of ₹11.03 lakh, Comparatively Nissan Magnite and Renault Kaiger are priced lower and provide decent power and good fuel efficiency.
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