Kia Sonet vs Competitors: A Detailed Analysis
The compact SUV segment in India is heating up with several capable models. One recent entrant that has made a mark is the Kia Sonet. With its bold styling, long list of features and multiple engine-gearbox options, the Sonet seems to have struck a chord with buyers. However, it does face competition from well-established rivals like the Hyundai Venue and Tata Nexon.
This article examines how the Kia Sonet compares to its key competitors in different areas. If you’re looking to buy a compact SUV, this comparison will help you make an informed purchase decision.
An Overview of Kia Sonet
The Sonet is Kia’s compact and stylish SUV. It comes loaded with cool features for comfort, entertainment, and safety. With its practical interior space, smart features, safety tech, and customisation options, the Sonet is a versatile small SUV for zipping around the city or making short trips out of town. ACKODRIVE is one such platform where you can learn about the other Kia Sonet variants.
An Overview of Hyundai Venue
The Venue is Hyundai’s compact and stylish little SUV. Its sporty, eye-catching design looks great around the city. On the inside, it feels high-end and premium for its size. It’s packed with cool tech features, and everything is nicely put together. Overall, the Venue hits a sweet spot if you’re looking for an SUV that blends style, quality, and functionality into one neat, small package.
An Overview of Tata Nexon
The Nexon is Tata’s small SUV model with a sporty, coupe-like shape. For 2023, they refreshed it with some styling updates inside and out to keep it looking modern. The refreshed Nexon remains a strong value buy for an efficient, usable, and stylish subcompact SUV. Tata has given it some nice updates while keeping the starting price very reasonable.
Kia Sonet vs Hyundai Venue vs. Tata Nexon
- Pricing
Pricing is among the most crucial comparison factors when differentiating cars in the same segment. The Kia Sonet price in Chennai starts at ₹9.44 lakhs and goes up ₹19.38 lakhs on-road, depending on the model. Here’s the on-road price comparison of the Kia Sonet vs Hyundai Venue vs Tata Nexon in Chennai:
Model On-Road Price Range (₹)
Kia Sonet 9.44 lakhs – 19.38 lakhs
Hyundai Venue 9.35 lakhs – 16.55 lakhs
Tata Nexon 9.53 lakhs – 19.57 lakhs
2. Exterior
The Sonet has a bold and aggressive front end with intricate LED daytime running lights that give it a high-tech look. The side profile is muscular, with rugged styling elements like blacked-out pillars, gunmetal grey accents, and roof rails. At the rear, it’s relatively simple and clean. Overall, the Sonet aims to combine urban flair and rugged capability.
The Venue has a sportier, more car-like design than the tall-boy Sonet and Nexon. Its new front grille and bumpers make it look wide and stable. You will love the unique vertical LED tail lights that connect across the tailgate. It’s not overly flashy but has nice detailing all around, like the 16-inch wheels.
Tata Nexon got a complete exterior makeover, making it look like an all-new model. The front now has sleek LED lights and striking turn indicators integrated seamlessly. The rear also stands out with connected LED tails and a chunky spoiler. Its new look is modern and upmarket.
3. Interior Space
The Sonet probably has the most premium-looking cabin of the three. It’s stylish and modern, with leather elements, ambient lighting, and an upscale vibe. The large 10.25-inch touchscreen is also a highlight. Space seems good, with the scooped-out front seats helping rear legroom. Overall, it looks to prioritise comfort, tech, and aesthetics.
The Venue’s interior seems more functional and simplistic. There are still some nice chrome highlights and dual-tone colours to jazz it up. The focus seems more on practicality here, with good storage spaces and roomy seats. Nothing too fancy, but it gets the job done.
The refreshed Nexon’s upgraded interior feels more modern and upmarket. The flat bottom wheel gives off sporty vibes. Space remains a strong point for Tata, and there’s a lengthy equipment list featuring a sunroof, ventilated seats, and lots of tech. It probably strikes the best balance between looking and feeling premium while being practical.
4. Engine and Performance
The Sonet offers three engine options: a regular petrol, a turbo-petrol, and a diesel. The regular petrol is 1.2 litres with decent power. The 1-litre turbo-petrol offers a bit more punch for enthusiastic driving. It comes with a manual, clutchless manual, or 7-speed automatic. The 1.5-litre diesel focuses more on fuel efficiency and driveability. You can get it with a manual, clutchless manual, or 6-speed automatic gearbox.
The Venue also offers three powertrains: a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol, a 1-litre turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel. The regular petrol offers adequate power, while the smaller 1-litre turbo-petrol packs a punch with sportier performance. Transmission options include 5-speed and 6-speed manuals or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The Nexon keeps things simple with just two engine choices—a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel. The petrol makes about 120 hp and 170 Nm of torque for enthusiastic driving. The diesel focuses more on efficiency and drivability with 114 hp and 260 Nm of torque.
5. Dimensions
The Kia Sonet is the longest of the three compact SUVs, measuring nearly 4 meters long. It also has a decent height and width of 1.57 and 1.79 meters, respectively. The wheelbase, which impacts cabin space, is 2.5 meters.
The Hyundai Venue is identical to the Sonet in length, at about 4 meters. However, it is slightly less wide, at 1.77 meters, and has a lower roof height of 1.62 meters. Its wheelbase matches the Kia’s at 2.5 meters.
Finally, the Tata Nexon measures the same length as the other two. But it is slightly wider than the Venue at 1.8 meters and taller than both rivals at 1.62 meters. The Nexon’s wheelbase is marginally shorter at 2.5 meters.
The Bottom Line
The Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, and Tata Nexon are all strong contenders in the compact SUV space. They have similar dimensions but differ in styling, interior layouts, engine options, and pricing. The Sonet excels in cabin aesthetics and features, while the Venue prioritises functionality. The refreshed Nexon strikes the best balance between premium feel, space, and value. Test drive all three to see which one best suits your needs and budget.