Kia Sonet — Price, Mileage, Variants & Expert Review

Start with what the Sonet carries, because that is where it quietly beats expectations: a 385-litre boot inside a 3,995 mm body, with 205 mm of ground clearance underneath and a 2,500 mm wheelbase keeping five adults workable for city runs. The 45-litre tank is par for the class, and the body is a wide-ish 1,790 mm, so three across the rear bench is tight but not punishing for school-run duty.

The engine menu is the widest thing about it after the boot. A 83 PS 1.2 petrol with a 5-speed manual anchors the range, a 120 PS 1.0 turbo-petrol brings 172 Nm with iMT or a 7-speed DCT, and the 1.5 diesel makes 116 PS and a stout 250 Nm with a proper 6-speed torque-converter automatic on offer. That diesel claims 24.1 kmpl — 61% better than the median in the SUV segment this car sits in — and a diesel-automatic at this size remains a rare combination.

On price, the Sonet spans ₹7.41 lakh to ₹14.09 lakh and holds the 7th-cheapest entry point among 144 SUVs in the segment, whose median price sits way up at ₹39.5 lakh. At 16.2 PS per lakh it is decent value on power too. The catch is choice overload: 23 variants across three engines and five-plus gearbox combinations means the brochure needs more homework than the test drive.

Sonet Variants & Ex-Showroom Prices

Ex-showroom prices. See the city-wise on-road price for your city.

Engine, Performance & Mileage

Smartstream G1.2 Petrol

1197 cc · 83 PS @ 6000 rpm · 115 Nm @ 4200 rpm · 5-Speed MT · ARAI 18.4 kmpl · BS VI 2.0

Smartstream G1.0 TGDi Petrol

998 cc · 120 PS @ 6000 rpm · 172 Nm @ 1500-4000 rpm · 6-Speed iMT MT / 7-Speed DCT AT / 6-Speed iMT AT · ARAI 18.4 kmpl · BS VI 2.0

1.5L CRDi VGT Diesel

1493 cc · 116 PS @ 4000 rpm · 250 Nm @ 1500-2750 rpm · 6-Speed MT / 6-Speed AT / 6-Speed AT AT · ARAI 24.1 kmpl · BS VI 2.0

Sonet Dimensions

Length: 3995 mm · Width: 1790 mm · Height: 1642 mm · Wheelbase: 2500 mm · Ground clearance: 205 mm · Boot space: 385 litres · Fuel tank: 45 litres

Sonet Safety

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist, Central Locking, Child Safety Locks, Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Side Airbag, Day & Night Rear View Mirror, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Engine Immobilizer, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts, Hill Descent Control.

Sonet Colours

Available in 8 colours: Magma Red, Imperial Blue, Gravity Gray, Glacier White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Clear White, Glacier White Pearl With Aurora Black Pearl, Matte Graphite.

Ownership & Running Costs

Around 10,000 km / 12 months (indicative)

Petrol variants roughly ₹5,000-7,000 per year on scheduled service; the diesel runs ₹1,500-2,500 higher per visit (indicative)

First-year comprehensive typically ₹30,000-45,000 depending on variant and city (indicative)

At claimed figures: petrol at 18.4 kmpl works out near ₹5.5-6/km, the diesel at 24.1 kmpl closer to ₹3.5-4/km (indicative)

Already own one? Check Sonet challans, verify RC details, compare insurance quotes or recharge FASTag on GaadiInfo.

Sonet vs Rivals

Sonet vs Maruti Suzuki Brezza: Starts at ₹7.4 lakh with CNG and up to 26.9 kmpl — the efficiency pick, but no diesel and no torque to match the Sonet's 250 Nm. See the Maruti Suzuki Brezza.

Sonet vs Tata Nexon: From ₹7.4 lakh with petrol, CNG and diesel — the only rival matching the Sonet's fuel spread, and its 24.08 kmpl best is nearly level. See the Tata Nexon.

Sonet vs Toyota Taisor: From ₹7.43 lakh with a 28.5 kmpl best — the frugal crossover alternative if you don't need the Sonet's diesel grunt or SUV stance. See the Toyota Taisor.

Sonet vs Skoda Kylaq: From ₹7.59 lakh, petrol-only at 19.68 kmpl — European driving feel, but the Sonet's diesel and variant spread give it more answers. See the Skoda Kylaq.

GaadiInfo Verdict

The Sonet's real story is at the two ends of its engine list, not the middle. Skip the 83 PS 1.2 unless the budget is hard-capped; the car's character shows up with the 120 PS turbo (city + occasional highway) or the 116 PS diesel (heavy monthly running). My money goes to a mid-range diesel manual for value, or the diesel AT if the commute involves traffic — that combination alone justifies choosing the Sonet over cheaper rivals. Stay below the ₹12 lakh mark; the last two lakh of the range buys garnish, not substance.

• Pick fuel by monthly running: under 1,000 km, take the 1.2 or turbo petrol; above 1,500-2,000 km, the 24.1 kmpl diesel repays its premium within the ownership period
• With 23 variants, shortlist by must-have features (sunroof, DCT, diesel AT) first, then compare only the two or three variants that qualify — dealers upsell easily in a range this wide
• The turbo-petrol DCT and diesel AT carry the widest dealer margins in the range — push for accessories or first-year insurance rather than a flat cut
• At PDI, check the manufacturing month, verify the boot floor and spare wheel area for transit damage, and confirm the exact gearbox on the VIN plate — iMT and DCT variants look identical on the invoice shorthand

Frequently asked questions

What is the price of the Kia Sonet in 2026?

The Sonet ranges from ₹7.41 lakh to ₹14.09 lakh (ex-showroom) across 23 variants with petrol and diesel engines.

What mileage does the Kia Sonet actually claim?

Both petrols — the 83 PS 1.2 and the 120 PS 1.0 turbo — claim 18.4 kmpl. The 1.5 diesel claims 24.1 kmpl, which is 61% better than the segment's median figure.

Does the Sonet diesel come with an automatic?

Yes — the 116 PS, 250 Nm 1.5 CRDi is offered with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic alongside the 6-speed manual, which is rare among sub-4m SUVs.

How big is the Sonet's boot?

385 litres — strong for a 3,995 mm sub-4m SUV, enough for two large suitcases plus soft bags.

Is the Sonet's 1.2 petrol enough, or should I stretch to the turbo?

The 1.2 makes 83 PS and 115 Nm with only a 5-speed manual — fine solo in the city. With family and luggage, the 120 PS turbo's 172 Nm is the version worth paying for.

Does the Kia Sonet get a CNG option?

No. The Sonet is petrol and diesel only. If CNG matters, the Maruti Brezza and Toyota Taisor in the same price band offer it.

Is the Sonet good for rough roads and high speed-breakers?

With 205 mm of ground clearance, it clears broken patches and tall breakers comfortably — among the better figures in its class.

Which Sonet gearbox should I choose for city traffic?

The 7-speed DCT on the turbo-petrol is the smoothest in stop-go traffic; the diesel's 6-speed AT is the pick if your running is heavy enough to justify diesel. The iMT is a budget middle path — clutch-free but still a stick.

Does the Sonet get a sunroof and ADAS?

Yes — a single-pane sunroof and camera-based ADAS features appear on higher variants, along with LED headlamps and powered folding mirrors.