Kia New Sonet

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If you are not in a hurry, it makes sense to wait, although there is no official confirmation that the next generation Kia Sonet will launch in January 2027 or even within the first half of the year. The current Sonet is already priced at the premium end of the compact SUV segment, so we do not expect a significant jump in its starting price, although higher variants could become more expensive.The next generation is expected to move to the newer platform used by the Hyundai Venue, which could address one of the current Sonet's weaknesses: rear seat space. If you regularly travel with family, that improvement could be worth waiting for. However, if you are happy with the current car's cabin space and features, the Sonet HTK (O) DCT remains a competent option at around Rs 11.5 lakh on-road.

Kia Sonet

Kia New Sonet

Hyundai Venue

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None of these five is likely before 2027, and Mahindra and Volkswagen are the only ones with even a rough timeline so far.Kia New Sonet: Kia is expected to bring the second-generation Sonet to India in 2027. Like the new Sonet, it will move to the K1 platform, with bigger screens, Level 2 ADAS and more rear-seat room, but there’s no confirmed date yet.Volkswagen Tera is expected around mid-2027, at an estimated Rs 8-13.5 lakh. As a Virtus owner, you’ll find it familiar territory.Mahindra Vision S production version is expected in 2027, and according to our estimates, it will be priced between Rs 10.5-15 lakh.In the case of the Mahindra Vision X, this sporty, crossover-styled SUV was shown as a concept in August 2025 and is expected to go on sale in 2027 and is expected to be under 4m. It will use the new NU_IQ platform, which can take petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric powertrains, but the production engines haven’t been confirmed.In the case of the Hyundai New i20, it made its global debut in Brazil in June, with a more crossover-like look and twin screens. Hyundai hasn’t confirmed an India launch date yet.All of these are estimates, and timelines tend to slip. If you need a car in the next few months, buy from what’s on sale now rather than holding out for any of these.

Volkswagen Tera

Mahindra Vision S

Mahindra Vision X

Kia New Sonet

Hyundai New i20

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Since you didn't like the current crop of compact SUVs, consider the Maruti Fronx with the 1.0 turbo-petrol engine and 6-speed torque converter. It is compact, peppy and nice to drive. Its top variant has the 360-camera you're looking for, and since the turbo-petrol isn't the popular choice from the range, you could end up getting a good deal too. Alternatively, you could pick the Taisor too, which is a rebadged Fronx sold and serviced through Toyota's network.If you didn't find the Venue exciting, you could check out the Venue N Line that gets some sportier bits to give it a more special feel. However, mechanically it remains largely similar to the standard version.The new Kia Sonet is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry, as it is expected to bring a more modern feature set and a fresher interior. However, it will still use a DCT for the turbo petrol automatic, which you have already identified as a drawback for city driving.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Kia New Sonet

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

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For your 70 percent city and 30 percent highway usage, the Skoda Kylaq is the best fit of the cars you have shortlisted. Its 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic is smoother in city traffic than the Sonet's DCT, while also giving you stronger performance for highway trips. It also has a good balance of ride comfort, cabin space and driving dynamics.The Kia Seltos is the better choice if family space and a more premium cabin are your priorities, but at your budget you will be looking at the lower variants. The Sonet HTK(O) 1.0 DCT is feature-rich, but the DCT is not our first choice for predominantly city use. The Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO are also worth considering, but the Kylaq offers a particularly good combination of refinement, performance and highway ability.As for the Kia New Sonet, it is expected in 2027 and will move to the K1 platform, with improved rear-seat space and potentially more features. However, Kia has not given a precise launch date, so waiting only makes sense if you are not in a hurry.

Skoda Kylaq

Kia Seltos

Kia Sonet

Kia New Sonet

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Nexon