Which diesel automatic car with ADAS should I buy? I’m confused between the Kia Syros, Kia Sonet, and the new Hyundai Venue.

Autocar India

•20w

All three cars are very similar to one another, using the same 1.5-litre diesel engine and 6-speed automatic gearbox. If space is a high priority for you, then choose the Kia Syros, as its boxy and upright function-before-form design allows it to have much more room inside. However, this comes at a price premium, and the Syros is positioned above both the Kia Sonet and the Hyundai Venue.

The new Hyundai Venue is expected to be priced lower than the Syros, in keeping with its more traditional compact SUV positioning, while it has also been updated with the latest tech. So if maximum space in the rear seat is not your primary concern, we recommend checking out the new Hyundai Venue.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

Sonet

from ₹8.59 Lakh

Kia

Syros

from ₹10.17 Lakh

Hyundai

New Venue

More questions on similar cars

Shiva Kunal

•3d

My budget is around ₹13 lakh on-road. Can you please suggest a car with good mileage and a boot space of around 350 litres or more?

Autocar India

•1d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Dzire ZXi+ MT. It stays well within your Rs 13 lakh budget, delivers a 24.79kpl ARAI efficiency, and offers a roomy 382‑litre boot.The Dzire also offers a comfortable and spacious cabin, and it has received a 5-star crash safety rating from Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP. You also get the peace of mind associated with Maruti ownership. The one thing you give up is the high ground clearance and elevated seating position you'd get in a compact SUV.If you want SUV-like clearance and a taller driving position, consider the Kia Sonet 1.2 HTK+(O) petrol instead. It has a claimed ARAI mileage of 18.83kpl, and its 385‑litre boot can fit in more cargo than you'd think.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Kia Sonet

Taher Vohra

•5w

Hi everyone, I am buying a car for the first time and am looking for some guidance. After some research and test drives, I have finalised the Kia Sonet HTX DCT, which costs around 714 lakh on-road. The main reason for choosing this variant is that I want a proper automatic driving experience along with premium features, decent space, reasonable mileage, and acceptable safety. I work from home, so my usage will mostly be limited to weekends. I live in a Tier 2 city (Nashik) where I don't face prolonged bumper-to-bumper traffic. The car will mainly be used for city driving on weekends, occasional short trips, and a few long highway drives with family and luggage. In the past, I have driven the Maruti Swift ZXI and Tata Nexon, both manuals, so this will be my first automatic car. My biggest concern at this point is the long-term reliability of the Kia/Hyundai DCT dry-clutch gearbox. I am getting a 6-year warranty (standard + extended), which also covers the gearbox. However, after the warranty period, any major issue with the DCT could be very expensive to fix. Although my running is expected to be low and I don't think I will even cross 50K km in five years, this concern still keeps bothering me. Before finalising the Sonet, I had initially planned to go for a TC, and test drove the XUV 3XO and the Maruti Fronx. While both cars were decent, they didn't tick all the boxes for me, which is why I dropped them. I am also avoiding the Skoda Kylaq mainly because of concerns around after-sales service costs once the warranty period is over. I didn't want to go with an AMT or CVT either, and I am specifically looking within the sub-4m SUV segment. Given my usage pattern, city conditions, and low annual running, do you think opting for the Kia Sonet DCT makes sense in the long run? How concerned should I realistically be about the reliability of the DCT gearbox in my case? Looking forward to your suggestions and experiences.

Autocar India

•1d

Given that your usage isn't too heavy, you should go for the Kia Sonet HTX 1.0 TGDi DCT without a worry. A concern could arise when used frequently in bumper-to-bumper stop-and-go traffic, and that too if not driven with care. However, since you drive mostly on the weekend and through flowing traffic, we think it should be fine. The trade-off is quicker shifts when you're on the move, and this pairs well with the Sonet's sprightly 120hp turbo petrol engine. The compact SUV itself is well equipped and has premium interiors, but it does have a choppy ride, and its rear seat isn't particularly spacious. If those are concerns for you, also check out the Hyundai Venue HX6 1.0 TGDi DCT, which costs about the same. It uses the same powertrain, but as it's based on a new-gen platform, it has a more spacious cabin and a more comfortable ride. Additionally, the Skoda Kylaq with its punchy 1.0 TSI engine and smooth 6-speed AT gearbox is a great bet. The after-sales is far less of a concern these days than the brand's old reputation leads most to believe.

Abhijit

Hello, I am planning to upgrade from my i10 Sportz, a 13-year-old car, to a compact car for my wife. I do not want to go with an Indian brand, as I have had a poor experience with Tata on my Harrier. I also did not like the Nios and i20, as they do not feel like an upgrade. So I am looking at sub-compact SUVs. I need your advice between the top-end Sonet automatic and the Hyundai Venue HX10.

Autocar India

•3d

Go for the Hyundai Venue HX10 1.0 Turbo Petrol DCT. It is a good fit for your needs and will feel like a big upgrade over your i10 Sportz.Comparing the top trims of both vehicles, the Venue does cost significantly more, but it also comes with more features and is based on a newer platform than the Kia Sonet. The cabin of the Venue looks and feels premium, and the interior space has also improved with the new generation. In terms of powertrains, both vehicles use the same 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, but the Venue offers a more comfortable ride, while the Sonet has a firmer edge.The one thing you give up compared to the Sonet is boot space; the Venue offers about 350 litres, whereas the Sonet gives roughly 392 litres.If you need that extra luggage room or feel that the features the Venue offers do not justify the premium, then go for the Sonet instead. Test drive both over some rough patches to see which you prefer, and also check for any jerkiness from the DCT when driving slowly or during downshifts.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

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