The Kia Sonet offers three engines, and the pulling power figures explain what each is for. The 1.2-litre petrol makes 88hp and 115Nm. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol makes 120hp and 172Nm. The 1.5-litre diesel makes 116hp and 250Nm, which is the highest figure here and the reason it feels the most relaxed.

Key facts for the Sonet:

Petrol gearboxes are a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed clutchless manual and a 7-speed dual-clutch, while the diesel gets a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.
The car measures 3,995mm long, 1,790mm wide and 1,642mm tall on a 2,500mm wheelbase.
Boot space is 385 litres, which is generous for a car under 4m long.
Six airbags are fitted.
Driver assistance covers forward collision warning with braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and a driver attentiveness alert.
Two 10.25-inch screens are fitted along with a 7-speaker Bose system and ventilated front seats.
Our review found the ride firm, because the short wheelbase and tall suspension emphasise road imperfections at low speed.

Dr chinwalla•23 Sept 2026

1/5

Sonet has the worst and hardest suspension, causing discomfort for those with back problems. It also has the lowest mileage of around 6 km/l. Not recommended for those seeking comfort.

Sagar Chavan•20 Sept 2026

5/5

The Kia Sonet is a good family car with decent mileage. It's comfortable and feature-rich, but the headlights are not very effective at night.

Jyotirupa priyadarsini•18 Sept 2026

5/5

The Kia Sonet is perfect for our family. The engine is smooth, the suspension is good, and the interior is the best in its segment. It's definitely a good choice for me.

Atul•18 Sept 2026

5/5

The Kia Sonet is a great car in this price range. It has a stylish design and offers good comfort. However, the mileage could be better compared to Maruti.

Akshay Kumar Vishnoi•17 Sept 2026

5/5

The Kia Sonet offers an awesome drive, making long journeys enjoyable. It feels powerful and smooth on the road, and I love the experience it provides.

D Gajare•17 Sept 2026

1/5

I've owned my Kia Sonet Anniversary Edition for three years, and while it has been mostly satisfying, the rear seat space and suspension could be improved.

Rajadurai•17 Sept 2026

5/5

The Kia Sonet has good performance and fantastic interior design. It moves smoothly on the road, and the seats are very comfortable for both old people and children. The audio system is impressive and adds to the driving experience.

Soumith Soamn•17 Sept 2026

3/5

This car is a head-turner with its turbocharged engine that delivers great performance. Acceleration is smooth and power delivery is punchy, making it feel alive on the highway. But the suspension is quite stiff, making the ride uncomfortable over bumps.

Jitendra Singh Rathore•17 Sept 2026

5/5

The Kia Sonet HTK Plus variant is very comfortable to drive. It's a great mid-size SUV that feels luxurious for a normal family. Kia's service is excellent, and I feel confident taking it anywhere.

Kashif•16 Sept 2026

5/5

I test drove the Kia Sonet, and it's the best bang for your buck under 10 lakh ex-showroom. The drive was peaceful, even in Bengaluru traffic. The suspension is a bit stiff, but it shines on the highway, driving smoothly at 100+ speeds.

Kia Sonet Expert Reviews

Autocar score

We like

Feature-loaded
Nice to drive

We don't like

Rear seat space
Top versions are expensive

View Kia Sonet Expert Reviews

Kia Sonet Images

Full Cabin View (Top Angle) Image - 14428

Digital Instrument Cluster Image - 14224

Leather Wrapped Gear Knob Shift Selector Image - 14214

Usb Compatibility Connectivity Image - 14628

Daytime Running Lamp (Drl) Image - 14545

Color Aurora Black Pearl Glacier White Pearl (Dual Tone) Image - 13921

Color Aurora Black Pearl Intense Red (Dual Tone) Image - 13929

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Questions you may find useful

•1d

Please tell us about the choice of an automatic car within a budget of Rs 12 lakh: Kia Sonet or Hyundai Venue (petrol). To my knowledge, both cars are based on the same platform.

•1d

Previously the Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet shared the same platform (K2), however the current Venue moved to the newer K1 platform and as of today the Sonet and Venue only share powertrains. This Kia car is also expected to move to the K1 platform shortly. On this Hyundai car, the newer platform brought in benefits of more space and newer, and updateable electronics, and this would likely be the case with the upcoming Sonet too. Thus as of today you would be better off with the new Hyundai Venue, which is a very good all rounder too.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

•2d

I am planning to buy a car in the Rs 12-14 lakh price range. My usage will be around 70% in the city and 30% on the highway, with family comfort also being an important consideration. I am currently considering the Skoda Kylaq, Kia Sonet (petrol 7DCT HTK(O)) and Kia Seltos (base or second-base variant). Please suggest which of these would be the best pick for my usage, or recommend any other car that may suit my requirements better. Also, is it worth waiting for the new-generation Sonet?

•2d

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

•4d

Should I go with KIA Sonet automatic under a budget of Rs. 10 to 12 lakh?

•2d

The Kia Sonet HTE O variant with a diesel engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, and HTK O variant with a turbo-petrol engine and 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission are available under Rs 12 lakh (on-road). Based on your usage, you could opt for either. The Sonet is a polished, smooth and refined compact SUV. Go for it, if you're immediately planning to buy a car. But do keep in mind, the next-gen Sonet will be launched in 2027, which is likely to have more features, a newer design, and better cabin space.

Kia Sonet

•3d

Bought the Sonet in a mid variant instead of stretching for the top one. After six months, there are only two features from the higher variant that I actually miss.

•5d

I currently drive a Hyundai i10 CNG, with daily running of around 6 km in Gurgaon city traffic and a monthly highway drive of around 200 km. I am now planning to upgrade my car, with an on-road budget of Rs. 12 lakh for a petrol sub-4-metre SUV, up to Rs. 14 lakh for a petrol midsize SUV, and Rs. 15 lakh for an EV. I live in a rented apartment on the second floor, so I am apprehensive about getting an EV. I prefer an EV, but installing a charger could be complicated due to the sanctioned load. My running could increase to nearly 800 km per month in the future. My key priorities are: - Good suspension and ride comfort, as I have a back problem - Decent fuel efficiency in heavy city traffic - Low to medium maintenance costs - Auto hold and ventilated seats would be good to have I sometimes consider buying a manual, but I mostly prefer an automatic. I am currently considering the Maruti Brezza, Baleno AMT, Fronx AMT/AT, Sonet iMT, Exter AMT, and even the upcoming Inster, VF3, and Bayon. I am open to other suggestions as well. Note: I had a bad driving experience with the Punch AMT, as it caused back fatigue.

•4d

Given your priorities of ride comfort, fuel efficiency and low maintenance, the Maruti Brezza automatic is the most sensible upgrade. It offers a comfortable ride, a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine and Maruti's strong service network, which keeps long-term ownership costs in check. The torque converter automatic is smooth in city traffic, and the Brezza's higher seating position will help with your back issues. The Sonet iMT is not the right choice here. While it is a good car, the iMT is not a true automatic and will not offer the same ease of use in Gurgaon traffic. The Baleno AMT and Exter AMT are also not ideal given your back issues and the fact that AMT gearboxes are not as smooth as torque converter automatics in stop-start conditions.On the EV front, your apprehension about charging is valid. Without a straightforward home charging solution, an EV will add unnecessary complexity to your ownership experience. The upcoming Bayon is interesting and if you can wait a few weeks you would have a better picture before making a decision. For now, the Brezza automatic strikes the best balance between comfort, efficiency and hassle-free ownership.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Kia Sonet

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Hyundai Exter

Hyundai Bayon