Tell us the benefits and disadvantages of the 2026 Kia Sonet.

Autocar India

•22h

Opt for the Kia Syros petrol manual. It is the best fit for your needs. Your requirement is clear. Family of five, low usage and a preference for an SUV. In this case, space and comfort matter more than anything else, and the Syros stands out here. It is one of the most spacious cars in this segment, especially at the rear. The wide rear seat means three people can sit in good comfort, which is important for your family's use.It also has the advantage of a turbo petrol engine. Compared to the Kia Sonet HTK(O), which gets a naturally aspirated engine, the Syros feels more responsive and will not feel short on power, especially when the car is fully loaded with five people. The Sonet’s rear seat is also not as spacious, so it ends up being a compromise for rear passengers.The Tata Punch is a different kind of option. It is a smaller segment and does not feel as premium as the other two. While it offers good value and more features for the price, it cannot match the space, comfort, and overall feel of the Syros or Sonet.

Kia Syros

Kia Sonet

Tata Punch

Autocar India

•2d

The Kia Sonet is an excellent, polished compact SUV. It has got a great interior, and it makes you feel like you've spent your money well. This iteration of the Sonet is due for a generation change, that's slated for a 2027 launch in India. The next-gen Sonet will be based on the new Hyundai Venue's platform, and is likely to share a lot of similarities.Between the two cars you've listed, the Venue is the one to go for. As of today, this Hyundai car, feels more modern, has a brighter interior which adds to its cabin's sense of space, and it is also well-equipped. While both cars share their turbo-petrol engine and dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Venue has a lighter steering, a (relatively) softer suspension setup, which makes it a touch more user-friendly and comfortable.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

•4d

The Hyundai Exter you’ve booked is E20 fuel compatible from the factory, so it is designed to run on the new petrol without any issues. Hyundai has updated its entire recent petrol lineup to support E20, so you are not buying into any risk or uncertainty.Now, what actually changes with E20 in real life? The fuel itself is just petrol with 20% ethanol, and India has already moved towards making this the standard across pumps. For cars like yours that are built for it, there is no mechanical downside. The engine, fuel lines and seals are all designed to handle it.What you might notice is minor and not something to stress about. There can be a small drop in mileage because ethanol has slightly lower energy content. Performance and drivability remain largely the same in daily city driving, especially in a car like the Exter, which is tuned for ease, not outright performance.The concerns you’re hearing mostly apply to older cars that were not designed for E20.

Hyundai Exter

Autocar India

•5d

Between the two, the Tata Safari does a great job of projecting toughness. It feels solid, has that reassuring heft, and its suspension setup really shines on broken roads and you can carry speed with confidence and it just shrugs off rough patches.That said, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more rounded package overall. Its 2.2-litre diesel is not just more modern, but also noticeably smoother and stronger than the older Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre unit in the Safari. It delivers better drivability in everyday conditions, which makes a difference in city use as well as on the highway.Mahindra car has also worked well on the suspension, and the improvements show. The 7XO feels more composed, offers better ride comfort over a wider range of surfaces, and is simply easier to drive. It has lighter controls, better balance, and a more user-friendly nature overall.Where the Safari still holds an edge is in the third row. It’s more usable and accommodating, whereas the 7XO’s last row is quite tight and best reserved for occasional use.So unless third-row space is a priority, the 7XO stands out as the better all-rounder. It’s more refined, easier to live with, and ultimately the more modern SUV.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•3d

If you're comparing ride comfort, the Skoda Kylaq is easily the better pick, particularly variants with 16-inch wheels. Skoda has got its suspension tune spot on, its relatively softer setup makes it more suited to our road conditions. It rounds off speed breakers and rough patches better at slow speeds. Furthermore, the Kylaq feels stable at speeds and is surprisingly nimble and fun-to-drive around corners, too.In contrast, the Kushaq’s suspension feels a little firm at low speeds, so sharp bumps and small potholes do come through more in the cabin.

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•6d

If your budget allows, go for a new Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5 diesel automatic. It is the safer and easier pick. You get a fresh car with full warranty, no past accidents to worry about, and the latest software and small fixes that usually come after the first couple of years. Finance is simpler on a new car, resale later will be stronger, and Mahindra’s service network is wide, so upkeep is straightforward. The diesel automatic suits long drives and also handles city traffic well, with strong pull when you need it. Space, comfort and road presence are all there in this Mahindra car, which is why you shortlisted it in the first place.One thing to keep in mind is its size. It is a large car, so tight parking will need practice. Also, a diesel can sound a bit gruff at idle, and if your usage is only short city drives, you should take it on a longer run once in a while to keep the exhaust system in good condition.The only time the 2-year-old previous model with 19,000 km makes more sense is if you are saving good amount of money and it is a well-maintained, single-owner car. In that case, demand a full service record from a Mahindra workshop, get a dealer scan for error codes, check tyre and battery age, and confirm if any extended warranty can be transferred.

Mahindra XUV 7XO