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Shreenivas Kandukuree

14w

Hi Team, I drove a Hyundai Grand i10 diesel for 10 years and, due to the unavailability of the Venue, bought a Kia Sonet Diesel HTX last month. I am 5.5 feet tall and am having difficulty with the clutch reach. I had severe calf muscle pain for a few days. I have no issues on the highway and have already covered nearly 2,000 km. I have been using a Frido seat cushion for a week, and it feels 50 per cent better with the reach. I tried various height and seat adjustments, but I am still facing clutch reach issues. I have heard from others that compact SUVs have this issue.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
14w
It would be disappointing not to find a comfortable driving position in your new Kia Sonet. While you have tried different positions, a high seat set closer to the steering wheel should give you a comfortable seating position.
An ideal seating position should keep you at a comfortable distance from the steering and put the pedals within easy reach. This is not a known issue on other compact SUVs.
Kia Sonet

Kia Sonet

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Latest questions people are discussing

SU

Sunny

1d

I am thinking of buying the Sonet HTK Optional DCT turbo petrol, which is around ₹12 lakh, and at the same time, the Venue HX5 turbo DCT petrol is coming at ₹13.5 lakh on-road in Bangalore. Which should I pick? Second, are heating issues still a thing to consider in both these DCT models?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4h

Between the two, we would suggest going for the Kia Sonet HTK (O) DCT. The Sonet and the Venue share the same 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine paired with the DCT gearbox, so performance and the overall driving experience will be very similar. In terms of equipment as well, both these variants are quite similarly equipped, but the Sonet is around Rs 1.5 lakh cheaper, which makes it an excellent value for money.That said, the Hyundai Venue is the newer car and offers slightly better rear seat space. So if rear seat comfort is an important factor for you, that is something to keep in mind.On the topic of DCT overheating, it can happen in very heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic where the car is constantly crawling forward. However, this gearbox has been around for quite some time and has seen improvements over the years. In normal usage, it is not a major concern, and there are safety systems built in to alert you if the gearbox temperature rises too much.

VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleHyundai Venue
JI

Jithin

4d

I am looking to buy my first car. I will mainly use it for travel between my hometown Kochi and Bangalore, while the rest of the driving will be frequent city usage. I was initially planning to buy the Kia Sonet diesel GT variant, but I am also very attracted to the Skoda Slavia, mainly for its driving quality. The Sonet would cost around ₹16 lakh, while the Slavia Sportline automatic comes to about ₹17 lakh. Which of these would be the more suitable option for my needs? I previously owned a Ford Figo 1.5 TDCi, which I absolutely loved, so I would prefer something with similar power and performance.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

The Kia Sonet diesel AT is a great car - compact, frugal, smooth and efficient - and feels like a logical compact upgrade to your Figo TDI. However, the fact that you're even considering the drive quality on your long journey to your hometown means you should go for the Skoda Slavia instead. Yes, the fuel efficiency won't be as good as the diesel, and it is a larger vehicle, which you might feel during your use in the city. But other than that, the driving pleasure it offers is on a different level, and will remind you fondly of your Ford, which is also a great handler. Its punchy 1.0 TSI makes a strong 115hp and 178Nm of torque, which are comparable to what you get in the Figo, and comes with a slick 6-speed MT or smooth 6-speed AT. Whichever you choose, you'll get a car that's fun to drive, stable out on the highway and friendly to use around town.

VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleSkoda Slavia
JI

Jithin

4d

I am looking to buy my first car. I am currently looking at the Kia Sonet Diesel Automatic 1.5, which comes at ₹16.25 lakh and the Skoda Slavia Sportline Auto at ₹17 lakh. My main usage would be travelling between Kochi and Bangalore and occasional city drives in and around both cities. I had a Ford Figo 1.5 TDCi earlier, which I loved and would prefer something with a similar driving punch. Which would be an apt choice?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

Since a large part of your driving will be on the Kochi-Bengaluru highway and you enjoyed the performance of your old Ford Figo 1.5 TDCi, choosing a car with strong performance and relaxed cruising ability will make your drives more enjoyable.Between the two, you will likely be happier with the Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI with the 7-speed DSG. It offers superior performance and refinement compared to the Kia Sonet diesel automatic, especially for highway usage. The Slavia’s turbo-petrol engine delivers effortless acceleration, and the DSG gearbox shifts quickly and smoothly, which makes overtaking and long-distance cruising feel easy.Another advantage is that the 1.5-litre engine features cylinder deactivation, which shuts down two cylinders under light loads such as steady cruising. This helps improve fuel efficiency when driving on the highway. The Slavia also feels more planted and stable at higher speeds, which will be noticeable on your frequent intercity drives.However, we would recommend waiting a little before making the purchase. The Slavia facelift is expected soon, and with it around the corner, it makes sense to see what updates and features the refreshed model brings before committing to the current version.

VehicleSkoda Slavia
VehicleKia Sonet

Posted on: 6 Dec 2025