Kia Sonet – Small size SUV comes with premium look for middle class family

Kia Sonet : The serpentine road winding through Lonavala’s verdant hills would typically call for something sporty and European—perhaps a hot hatchback or a nimble sedan.

Yet, as I navigate each curve in the Kia Sonet, there’s a surprising sense of confidence and composure. The compact SUV handles these twisties with unexpected aplomb while my mother-in-law in the back seat continues her phone conversation, blissfully unaware of the enthusiastic driving happening from behind the wheel.

This duality—engaging for the driver yet comfortable for passengers—perhaps best captures the essence of what makes the Sonet such an intriguing proposition in India’s competitive compact SUV segment.

Over a full week and approximately 800 kilometers of varied driving conditions, from Mumbai’s congested streets to highway cruising and the aforementioned hill roads, the Sonet repeatedly demonstrated why it has carved out a distinct identity in a crowded marketplace.

It has managed the difficult trick of feeling genuinely premium despite its modest dimensions and relatively accessible price point.

Kia Sonet Beyond Its Size: Big Car Feel in a Compact Package

The sub-four-meter SUV segment exists largely because of India’s tax structure rather than organic consumer demand. This regulatory reality often forces compromises, with many vehicles in this category feeling obviously constrained by their dimensional limitations.

The Sonet, however, employs several clever design and engineering solutions to transcend these constraints.

From the outside, the proportions have been carefully balanced to maximize visual impact while adhering to the length restriction.

The relatively long wheelbase (2,500mm) pushes the wheels toward the corners, creating a planted stance that appears more substantial than the actual dimensions might suggest.

A slightly higher ground clearance (211mm) than some competitors enhances the SUV credentials without making entry and exit cumbersome for older family members—an important consideration for Indian households where vehicles often serve multiple generations.

The front fascia employs Kia’s distinctive “tiger nose” grille, here executed with sophisticated detailing that includes intricate patterns and textures rather than simple slats or mesh.

Flanking this are LED headlamps with complex internal elements and a distinctive DRL signature that creates immediate brand recognition—a feature typically associated with luxury vehicles.

Body surfacing deserves particular mention for its sophistication. Where many affordable vehicles employ relatively flat panels with superficial character lines, the Sonet features more complex pressing with subtle contours that create interesting light play across its surfaces.

This approach requires more advanced manufacturing techniques but results in a noticeably more premium appearance.

The rear design continues this attention to detail with LED tail lamps connected by a reflective strip that visually widens the vehicle.

The bumper incorporates a silver skid plate element that reinforces the SUV identity while breaking up visual mass.

It’s worth noting that Kia offers the Sonet in both regular and GT Line trim options, with the latter featuring more aggressive styling elements including red accents and different wheel designs.

This strategy provides a welcome choice between understated elegance and sportier aesthetics without compromising the fundamental design integrity.

Kia Sonet Cabin Experience: Redefining Segment Expectations

Step inside the Sonet, and the impression of a vehicle punching above its weight class becomes even more pronounced. The dashboard architecture employs a horizontal orientation with layered elements that create visual width and sophistication.

Material quality throughout the cabin represents perhaps the most significant departure from segment norms, with soft-touch surfaces in key areas and thoughtfully textured hard plastics elsewhere.

The leatherette upholstery on higher variants deserves particular praise for its convincing texture and perforation pattern.

The seats themselves offer surprising support and comfort, with cushioning density that balances initial softness with the firmer support needed for longer journeys.

The driver’s seat in top variants features power adjustment—a genuine rarity in this segment and a feature that contributes significantly to the premium feel.

The centerpiece of the dashboard is a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s among the best in class not just for its size but for its responsiveness and interface design.

The graphics are crisp, touch sensitivity is precise, and the menu structure intuitive. This is complemented by a 4.2-inch digital display in the instrument cluster that provides comprehensive trip information and driving data.

Climate controls utilize a combination of physical buttons and touch-sensitive surfaces, striking a reasonable balance between modern aesthetics and practical usability.

The three-stage ventilated front seats prove invaluable during Mumbai’s sweltering summer months—another feature rarely found at this price point and one that makes a meaningful difference to daily comfort.

Storage solutions throughout the cabin demonstrate thoughtful attention to how modern families actually use their vehicles.

Beyond the expected door pockets and cupholders, there’s a dedicated phone shelf with wireless charging (on higher variants), a sunglasses holder in the overhead console, and a cooled glovebox that keeps beverages chilled during longer journeys.

Rear seat accommodation manages to feel reasonably spacious despite the vehicle’s compact dimensions. The bench offers good thigh support and a well-judged backrest angle, while the center armrest incorporates cupholders.

Rear AC vents ensure comfortable temperature management even in extreme conditions—a critical consideration for Indian families.

The 392-liter boot initially appears modest but proves surprisingly practical thanks to its square shape and minimal intrusions.

A reasonably low loading lip makes it easier to manage heavier items, while the rear seats split 60:40 to accommodate larger cargo when needed.

Kia Sonet Technology: Smart Features That Actually Matter

Rather than overwhelming with a laundry list of gimmicky technology, the Sonet focuses on implementing genuinely useful features that enhance the ownership experience.

The UVO connected car system offers comprehensive functionality including remote engine start, climate pre-conditioning, vehicle location, geofencing, and safety alerts.

The infotainment system supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, eliminating the need for cables and making the transition from phone to car seamless.

The premium Bose seven-speaker audio system delivers surprising sound quality for this segment, with well-balanced output and decent dynamic range even at higher volumes.

The multi-function display in the instrument cluster allows customization of information presentation, while the tire pressure monitoring system provides real-time data rather than simply warning when pressure drops below a threshold.

A 360-degree camera system on top variants provides comprehensive visibility during parking maneuvers, with reasonably good resolution even in low light conditions.

Perhaps most impressively, these technologies work with a reliability and intuitiveness often lacking in more expensive vehicles.

The voice recognition system, for instance, demonstrates good comprehension of Indian accents and natural language commands—a seemingly minor point until you’ve experienced the frustration of systems that require exact phrasing or struggle with regional pronunciation differences.

Kia Sonet Driving Experience: Genuine Choice in a Homogenized Segment

Where many manufacturers offer a single powertrain with perhaps a transmission option, the Sonet provides meaningful choices that allow buyers to prioritize according to their needs and preferences.

The range includes a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated petrol (83 PS), a 1.0-liter turbocharged petrol (120 PS), and a 1.5-liter diesel (100 PS with manual, 115 PS with automatic).

My test vehicle featured the 1.0 turbo petrol with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission—a combination that delivers a driving experience genuinely uncommon in this segment.

The engine provides impressive mid-range punch that makes urban driving effortless and highway overtaking confident. Turbo lag is minimal in daily driving, though noticeable if you’re particularly looking for it.

The dual-clutch transmission deserves praise for its smoothness and responsiveness. Unlike some affordable DCTs that feel clunky at low speeds, the Sonet’s gearbox manages crawling traffic with minimal hesitation or jerkiness.

At higher speeds, it responds quickly to throttle inputs and selects appropriate gears intelligently. The paddle shifters provide manual control when desired, though the transmission’s natural programming is good enough that I rarely felt the need to intervene.

Ride quality represents another area where the Sonet distinguishes itself. The suspension tuning skillfully balances comfort and control, absorbing the worst of Mumbai’s road imperfections without excessive body movement or float.

Highway stability is excellent, with minimal side-to-side movement even on concrete highways with expansion joints or during crosswinds.

Steering feel is another highlight, offering more feedback than many electric systems without becoming heavy during parking maneuvers.

The weighting increases naturally with speed, providing good directional stability on highways while remaining manageable in urban environments.

Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) control demonstrates sophisticated engineering that belies the Sonet’s price point. Wind noise is well suppressed up to highway speeds, and road noise intrusion is minimal on most surfaces.

The engine maintains reasonable refinement even when pushed, though the three-cylinder thrum becomes noticeable under hard acceleration.

An often-overlooked aspect of the driving experience is the drive mode selector, which offers Eco, Normal, and Sport options that genuinely alter the vehicle’s character.

Unlike some systems that make barely perceptible changes, the Sonet’s modes noticeably modify throttle response, transmission behavior, and steering weight.

I found Normal ideal for daily driving, with Sport offering welcome additional responsiveness on those Lonavala ghats without becoming twitchy or nervous.

Kia Sonet Ownership Experience: Beyond the Purchase Price

With prices ranging from approximately ₹7.79 lakh to ₹14.89 lakh (ex-showroom) depending on variant, engine, and transmission choices, the Sonet occupies a wide spectrum within the compact SUV market.

While not the most affordable option in absolute terms, the value proposition becomes clearer when considering both the tangible and intangible aspects of ownership.

Kia’s warranty package provides coverage for five years or 100,000 kilometers, substantially exceeding the industry standard and offering valuable peace of mind.

The service interval of 10,000 kilometers/12 months strikes a reasonable balance between convenience and preventive maintenance, while the transparent service pricing structure removes uncertainty about ongoing costs.

The dealer experience deserves mention for its departure from traditional Indian automotive retail. Kia showrooms adopt a more premium approach with digital displays, dedicated relationship managers, and comfortable waiting areas. While this might seem superficial, it contributes meaningfully to the overall ownership journey and perception of value.

Resale value, while still evolving given Kia’s relatively recent entry into the Indian market, has shown promising trends based on pre-owned market data.

The brand has established stronger residual values than might have been expected for a newcomer, providing additional ownership cost advantages beyond the initial purchase price.

Kia Sonet Conclusion: Democratizing Premium

In a market segment defined by compromises and cost-cutting, the Kia Sonet stands out for its refusal to feel like a budget offering despite its accessible price point.

By focusing on the elements that create a genuine sense of premium experience—thoughtful design, material quality, refined driving dynamics, and meaningful technology—it delivers a compelling proposition for middle-class Indian families unwilling to settle for merely adequate transportation.

What’s perhaps most impressive is how cohesive the overall package feels. Rather than excelling in one area while neglecting others, or stuffing the vehicle with headline-grabbing features at the expense of fundamental quality, the Sonet delivers a holistically satisfying experience that genuinely elevates daily commuting and family journeys.

For the young professional couple, the small family with children, or even empty-nesters seeking to downsize without downgrading, the Sonet represents a remarkably balanced solution to Indian urban mobility needs.

It proves that “affordable” and “premium” need not be mutually exclusive concepts—a philosophy that more manufacturers would do well to embrace.