sonet HTK plus is good if you want suv look tpms more ground clearance and enjoy driving with manual gear but without clutch irritation. better mileage than amaze if your running is above 1500 km per month

Neel Mittal•15 Jan 2026

3/5

i own sonet petrol turbo imt and not very happy. uneven power delivery and throttle response can feel jerky. not the most reliable experience overall

Kia Sonet Expert Reviews

Autocar score

We like

Feature-loaded
Nice to drive

We don't like

Rear seat space
Top versions are expensive

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Questions you may find useful

Shubham

•2d

I have a budget of ₹10-12 lakh. About 80% of my driving is in the city (Mumbai, Goregaon), with occasional long drives. My priorities are good resale value, a good music system, and quality interiors (hence I am not interested in Maruti). I am considering the i20 Sportz/Asta, Amaze, and Kylaq. Which one should I choose? Are there any other options like the Sonnet or Venue that I should consider?

Autocar India

•7h

The Hyundai i20 is the one that fits your brief best. Given your city-heavy use, we recommend an automatic, so look at an i20 with the 1.2 petrol and CVT (Hyundai calls it IVT), which feels very smooth in slow traffic. While it's tempting to go for the more powerful 1.0 turbo-petrol, its DCT gearbox is not as smooth as the CVT at low speeds, hence we don't recommend it. Also, while the i20 1.2 IVT Asta (O) could go out of your budget, we would recommend you to stretch it, as that will get you the Bose sound system, which sounds excellent. Hyundai resale is also strong in Mumbai, which meets your first priority. The Honda Amaze is easy to own and has good resale value too. It's reliable, good on maintenance, fuel efficient, fun to drive and spacious. But the interiors and music system are nothing to write home about. The Sonet, Venue and Kylaq are good options, but won't give you the kind of features and high-spec interior you are seeking in this budget. That said, when it comes to resale value, none are quite as good as Maruti cars, since that is your number one priority.

Srinivas

Hi, I am planning to buy a new, feature-rich SUV with a 360° camera, ADAS, a smooth automatic transmission, and good safety features. However, I do not want a panoramic sunroof. We are a family of three and only occasionally need seating for five. My budget is ₹14-16 lakh. About 85% of my driving is in Bangalore city, with a monthly usage of 800-1,000 km, plus the occasional long trip of around 900 km one way. Please suggest the best option for long-term ownership.

Autocar India

•2d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 L automatic, with the Kia Sonet GTX Plus as the more polished alternative. The Mahindra XUV 3XO suits your needs best as it combines ADAS, a smooth automatic and strong safety credentials while offering a comfortable ride and easy drivability for Bangalore traffic, which will matter more than outright performance in your usage. It also feels more robust for long-term ownership and has a wide, genuinely usable cabin that can accommodate five adults when needed, along with enough practicality for occasional highway runs.The Kia Sonet, in comparison, feels more premium inside with better feature execution, but its rear seat is not as accommodating over longer journeys, and a new generation is due soon. The only drawback with the XUV 3XO is that its boot is smaller than rivals', but overall it delivers the best balance of safety, comfort and everyday usability, making it the clear choice.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet

Uma shankar A

•4d

I am looking for a top-end diesel car with low maintenance, ADAS, and an automatic gearbox within a budget of ₹20 lakh. I am confused between the Kia Sonet (is a facelift expected soon?), Tata Nexon, and Hyundai Venue. Please suggest the best option and share your recommendation.

Autocar India

•4d

Between your options, the Venue stands out as the newer and more polished product. It offers a refined diesel engine paired with a smooth automatic, which makes it very easy to drive in city conditions while still being efficient. The feature list is strong, including ADAS in higher variants, and overall it feels more up to date than the Nexon. Compared to the Nexon, the Venue’s drivetrain is smoother and more refined, whereas the Nexon’s diesel and AMT combination is not as seamless in everyday use and the car is beginning to feel slightly dated.As for the Sonet, while a new generation is expected, it is still some time away, so waiting does not make practical sense. Even otherwise, given that it shares the same mechanicals as the Venue but offers less rear seat space, the Venue still ends up being the better pick.

I have been using a Kia Sonet iMT for the past 5 years, but it has recently started giving gear shift and locking issues. I am now planning to buy a new automatic car within a budget of ₹15-16 lakh. A key requirement is front ventilated seats, as I have an open parking space, and the car tends to heat up significantly. My usage is primarily city driving, around 1,000-1,200 km per month.

Autocar India

•6d

The Skoda Kylaq is one of the few cars in your budget that offers ventilated seats along with a proper torque converter automatic, which is smoother and more reliable for city driving compared to AMTs or DCTs. That directly addresses your daily usage of 1000-1200 km in the city, where ease of driving and comfort matter the most.What also works strongly in its favour is the overall driving experience. The Kylaq has a punchy turbo petrol engine, good ride quality and feels more stable than most compact SUVs. So even when you step out for occasional highway drives, you feel confident and composed. The cabin is well built and feels premium enough for long-term ownership.Now, looking at alternatives. Cars like the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and Tata Nexon also offer ventilated seats in this price range. However, all three cars are offered with DCT gearboxes in petrol automatics, which can feel jerky in slow traffic over time. In comparison, the Kylaq’s automatic is simply easier and more relaxed to live with.

Manish Tripathi

I am planning to buy my first car. I have a family of five, and my yearly driving is up to 500 km. I prefer SUVs and am confused between three options: Kia Sonet HTK(O) petrol manual, Kia Syros HTE petrol manual and Tata Punch Accomplished petrol manual. Please help me decide.

Autocar India

•1w

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.