Mumbai

DURAI MURUGAN S

•14w

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

Autocar India

•14w

The Kia Sonet is one of the strongest all-rounders in the compact SUV segment.

On the plus side, it comes packed with modern tech and features, including ADAS on higher trims. There’s also a wide choice of engines and gearboxes from the naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol to the punchy 1.0-litre turbo-petrol (with DCT or iMT).

Moreover, the torquey 1.5-litre diesel, paired with the 6-speed torque-converter automatic, offers a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. Its compact dimensions and light steering make it easy to manoeuvre in city traffic and tight parking spots. Many buyers are also drawn to its sharp design, SUV stance and strong resale value.

On the downside, rear seat space is not the best in class. Legroom can feel tight, especially if the front seats are pushed back, and three adults in the rear will be a squeeze. The suspension setup is slightly stiffer, which can make low-speed ride quality feel firm on rough roads.

Also, most of the advanced safety and ADAS features are limited to higher trims; lower variants miss out on some key equipment. Unlike some rivals, there’s no factory-fit CNG option either.

Overall, the Sonet scores high on features, performance options and style. But rear space and ride comfort are areas where you should check carefully before deciding.

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More questions on similar cars

Kashyap

•23h

I'm looking to buy my 1st car in Bengaluru, 70-80% it will be in the city, and the rest should be on highways. Please advise whether I should go for the KIA SONET AT or the SKODA KYLAQ AT?

Autocar India

•1h

For a first-time buyer in Bengaluru, the Skoda Kylaq feels like the more complete package. Its turbo-petrol engine and torque-converter automatic gearbox work very well together, offering smooth progress in city traffic while remaining enjoyable on highways. It also feels more mature to drive, with better ride and handling balance than the Kia Sonet.The Kia Sonet AT counters with a richer feature list, a more premium-looking cabin and Kia's strong service network. However, if you're considering the turbo-petrol DCT version, the Kylaq's torque-converter automatic is better suited to the stop-start traffic conditions that will make up the majority of your driving.The Sonet remains a strong choice if features are a top priority, but for a mix of city commuting and highway driving, the Kylaq delivers a better balance of driving comfort, performance and practicality.

Skoda Kylaq

Kia Sonet

Vengdesh

•11h

Hi, I used the Kia Sonet HTK until 2024, and now after two years, I want to upgrade to a compact SUV. I will mostly commute around 30 km per day, with a long trip once every three months. Should I go for an automatic or a manual transmission? I am not considering Tata or Mahindra, as I have used them in the past. My options are the Skoda Kylaq, Hyundai Venue, or Kia Sonet again. Alternatively, I am also considering a sedan like the Honda Amaze. Also, should I choose an automatic or a manual?

Autocar India

•5h

Pick the Hyundai Venue automatic - it will make your 30 km daily city drive far easier and still handle your once-in-3-months trips calmly. Two-pedal ease in traffic saves fatigue, it’s compact for tight parking, and Hyundai’s service reach is wider than most, so ownership is simple. It also gives you a change from your old Sonet without feeling alien.If you loved your Sonet’s feel and features and don’t mind a repeat, the Sonet automatic is still a strong pick. Choose the Venue if you want a slightly more relaxed ride and a fresh cabin and more space. Amaze works if you really want a sedan’s boot and lower price, but you’ll miss the higher seat and ground clearance that help on bad roads and speed breakers.Go automatic for your usage. The manual is cheaper and can return a bit better kpl, but in stop-go traffic the automatic is worth the extra Rs. 1-1.5 lakh and a little fuel penalty.

Neerav Parmar

Hi. I have a Maruti Suzuki S-Presso CNG that I bought in August 2020. It has already covered 1,60,000km. My daily running is approximately 115km, with 85% on highways and 15% in mixed city traffic. I want to replace it before Diwali 2026. Please suggest a car for long-term ownership. Should I continue with CNG, or switch to an EV or diesel?

Autocar India

•10h

An EV could make a lot of sense for your usage, but only if you can install a home charger. Covering 115km a day, mostly on the highway, is easy for today’s EVs, and your heavy running will cut fuel and service costs significantly. You will also get much stronger cruising performance and overtaking ability than your S-Presso CNG, with no fuel station queues to worry about.The Tata Nexon EV 45kWh is the sensible pick for value and service network support, and it will comfortably manage two days of driving on a single charge. If you are on a tighter budget, then the Punch EV 40kWh is also a good choice.The honest catch: highway fast chargers can still be patchy on some routes, and the upfront purchase price is higher.If home charging is not possible, then buy a diesel and keep life simple on the highway. The Hyundai Venue diesel and Kia Sonet diesel are both good choices for your needs.

Tata Nexon EV

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

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Popular discussions right now

Jayvir Deol

•3d

I want to buy an SUV, and my budget is around 20 lakh. I have seen the MG Hector, the Mahindra XUV and the Tharr Rox. Which car should I buy, and given the current scenarios on the govt policies, should I go for petrol or diesel?

Autocar India

•3d

Pick the Mahindra XUV 7XO. At around Rs. 20 lakh, it gives you the best mix of space, strong performance and safety, and it is far easier to live with every day than the Thar Roxx while being a better value than a low or mid Hector variant. You also get both petrol and diesel choices, so you can match it to your running.Fuel choice is simple. Go petrol if most of your use is in the city or your running is under about 1,200 km a month. It is quieter, has fewer policy worries, and resale stays safe even if some cities tighten diesel rules. Pick diesel only if you drive long highway distances often, want a longer tank range, or haul a full family with luggage regularly.The only real downside with the XUV 7XO is that the fanciest features push you beyond Rs. 20 lakh, and there may be a wait period. If you mainly want a rugged toy, the Thar Roxx is great, but for family life, the XUV 7XO fits better.

Saransh Parnami

I am confused between the Nexon, XUV 3XO, and Venue as my first car. My running is expected to be 1,000-1,200 km per month. My priorities are: 1) Performance, 2) Mileage and ownership cost, 3) Features, and 4) Rear-seat and boot space. Please advise and suggest the best-value variant as well. I am inclined towards a manual.

Autocar India

•4d

Our first recommendation would be the new Venue Turbo Petrol Manual. It strikes the best balance for your priorities. The turbo petrol engine is punchy and enjoyable to drive, fuel efficiency is respectable, and Hyundai's ownership experience is generally hassle-free. The latest Hyundai Venue is also more spacious than before, particularly in the rear seat, and feels like a very well-rounded first car. For value, we would look at the SX Turbo Manual, which gets a good mix of features without stretching the budget too much.Our second choice would be the Mahindra XUV 3XO. If outright performance and rear seat space are your priorities, it is arguably the strongest car here. The turbo petrol engine is lively, the rear bench is among the widest in the segment, and it feels more substantial than the Venue. The downside is that fuel efficiency is not as strong, and the boot is one of the smallest in the class. The MX2 Pro or AX5 Manual would be the variants to consider, depending on your budget.The Tata Nexon would be our third choice. It remains a good all-round package with decent space, a strong feature list and good road presence. However, compared to the newer Venue and 3XO, it does not feel quite as polished, and neither the driving experience nor the ownership proposition is as compelling.

Abhishek Das

I am planning to purchase a new automatic car and am confused between the Honda Amaze ZX CVT and the Skoda Kylaq Signature Plus AT. My usage will be around 90% city driving, primarily for office commuting between Dwarka, Delhi and my office near IFFCO Chowk, Gurugram (approximately 25 km one way). However, I will not be driving daily, as I often use the Metro as well. The car will also be driven by my 69-year-old father, so ease of driving, comfort, visibility, ingress/egress, and reliability are important considerations. Our previous car was an Alto K10 Manual, so this will be our first automatic car and a significant upgrade. Considering my usage pattern, family profile and the fact that we intend to keep the car for a long period for around 10 years, which of these two would you recommend?

Autocar India

•4d

Based on your requirement, we would recommend the Honda Amaze ZX CVT over the Skoda Kylaq Signature+ AT. The reason is that your priorities are not outright performance or driving excitement. You are looking for a car that will spend 90% of its life in city traffic, will also be driven by your 69-year-old father, and is expected to stay with the family for around 10 years. In that context, Amaze's strengths line up perfectly with your requirements. The CVT is smoother than the Kylaq's torque converter automatic in stop-and-go traffic, visibility is excellent, the car is easy to place on the road, ingress and egress are straightforward, and Honda's long-term reliability record is hard to fault. Coming from an Alto K10, it will already feel like a substantial upgrade in comfort, refinement and features.The Kylaq Signature Plus AT is the more desirable car from an enthusiast's perspective. The 1.0 TSI turbo petrol has more punch, the higher seating position is nice, and the overall package feels more substantial. However, it is also a larger vehicle to manoeuvre, and while the automatic is good, it is not quite as seamless in everyday traffic as Honda's CVT.Another point in Amaze's favour is that the ZX variant gets Honda Sensing ADAS, which adds useful safety features without making the car complicated to operate. Since your father will also be driving it, that extra layer of safety is a nice bonus.

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