[Dr.Abhi]

Originally Posted by Pri2

Spotted a test Sonet in Bangalore today. It appears that this car was camouflaged till recently.

Initial observation - Looks big (doesn't appear to be a sub 4 meter)
Spacious seating- unfortunately couldn't click a pic of interiors. There were 2 hefty dudes sitting in the back with space to spare.

Road presence is there but doesnt look >4 metre. Side Silhouette resemble that of kwid though.

[jigar]

The variant wise features of Kia Sonet leaked ahead of launch:
https://www.carwale.com/news/kia-son...-in-september/

[84.monsoon]

Did a quick comparison of features available across variants.

A few observations:

• Phew - a Total of 17 variants! Almost as wide a spread as the Seltos. There is no mention of IMT in the brochure, although it was announced earlier as appearing first on the Sonet even before it arrived in the Venue. So, if that transmission is introduced, there will be even more variants.
  
• There are very few additional features of value in the top end GTX+ that the HTX+ does not have, other than 6 airbags, a larger touch-screen and front parking sensors. The only way Kia has of forcing people to go for the GTX+ is by refusing to provide 6-airbags and auto transmission in the HTX and HTX+ trims.
  
• The HTK+ seems really loaded in terms of features versus the higher HTX trims. The step-up from HTK is significant. Plus, it is the variant that is available in almost all engine and transmission combinations including an NA petrol, a turbo petrol and the diesel engine, as well as Manual, DCT and TC AT transmissions.
  
• The base variants (HTE & HTK) are reasonably equipped and could be good bargains for people on a shoestring budget, if these are offered in the 7-8 lakh price range
  
• My wild guess at pricing, considering how the venue is priced - HTE Petrol starts at 7 lakhs and the GTX+ Diesel Auto ends up at 12.5 lakhs. I hope the HTK+ Diesel Auto is offered a shade under 10 lakhs - would be an ideal and high value buy, considering the taxation slabs in various states that increase dramatically beyond 10 lakhs.

Also, one additional observation from a detailed study of the brochure

The Diesel TC Auto is getting the full-monty treatment ! It is the 115 PS, 250 NM version from the Creta/Seltos and not the toned down 100 PS, 240NM version from the Venue. They are probably able to do this because the Sonet is getting the same 6 speed TC that can handle the level of torque. This will be a pocket rocket!

[7000plusrpm]

Originally Posted by 84.monsoon

Did a quick comparison of features available across variants.

So, if anyone is looking for automatics, HTK+ Petrol is sufficiently loaded in terms of features. It has all the safety features too (ESC, VSM, TCS etc.). Just missing 4 airbags compared to the top end.
For Diesel auto, to get all the safety features, one has to get the GTX+. HTK+ misses out on the safety bit, just like the Seltos.

[bwildrd#1]

[*]There is hardly any additional features of value in the top end GTX+ that the HTX+ does not have, other than a larger touch-screen and front parking sensors. The only way Kia has of forcing people to go for the GTX+ is by refusing to provide an auto transmission in the HTX and HTX+ trims.

4 additional airbags, ESC, HAC, VSM are available in GTX+ trim only - for diesel manual lovers. HTX+ has them only in turbo petrol auto tranny.

[theAutomaniac]

Originally Posted by Pri2

Spotted a test Sonet in Bangalore today. It appears that this car was camouflaged till recently.

Initial observation - Looks big (doesn't appear to be a sub 4 meter)
Spacious seating- unfortunately couldn't click a pic of interiors. There were 2 hefty dudes sitting in the back with space to spare.

Damn the road presence!

Forget the Brezza, Ecosport and Nexon, I'm sure even that red Ignis has better road presence than this thing.

Until now, the only interesting thing I've found about Sonet, is strictly the feature list (competition gets equivalent engine options in both petrol and diesel)

Except the features list, the Venue still feels like a much better product from the same manufacturer(almost) and that thing stands out as well due to its unconventional design.

Also, Autocar recently gave clear variant to variant breakdown of the features available on the Kia Sonet and that makes me feel that Kia is trying way too hard to price the Kia Sonet on the lower side and still retain huge profit margins as the lower trims (HTE, HTK and HTK+) barely have features.
Also, according to Autocar, the HTE will get 195 section wheels on the HTE trim, which, is probably the thinnest in the segment!

On the basis of the above observations, I think the Kia Sonet will be worth buying only for the higher variants.

Though it remains to be seen how Kia prices the variants and a final opinion about its worth shall be reserved until the prices are revealed and a variant to variant comparison is done with the competition.

[RaceHorse]

I have made a booking for Sonet only because of the Diesel Automatic option, it is the only proper diesel AT in the segment, all other options are AMT's.

Yes, it may not have the butch road presence of others, and it might be looking as a hatchback on stilts.
But which other car in the segment we can call a true SUV, all other cars are same with high ground clearance.

Yes, some other cars have better dynamics and handling capabilities. But none of them have the all rounder features like Sonet.

Every other sub-4 meter SUV exists because each of them have few strengths and features which others are not offering.

Sonet is the only car which has better balance of features, and value proposition among other cars in the segment.

Eagerly waiting for Team-BHP's review to debunk all the confusions and have a truthful opinion of the Sonet.

[7000plusrpm]

Originally Posted by RaceHorse

I have made a booking for Sonet only because of the Diesel Automatic option, it is the only proper diesel AT in the segment, all other options are AMT's.

This is the only reason I might go to Sonet. The only other compact SUV that is is worth considering is the Ford Ecosport. It has the driving dynamics, one of the best engines, solid build, and well equipped in terms of safety features. However, inexplicably, Ford does not want to pair the 6 speed AT with the TDCi and comes only with a manual gearbox. Folks who are looking for a subcompact SUV with proper automatic has the option of either Brezza or S-Cross with its 4 speed AT or this.

I just hope KIA price this one well. Only the top end GTX+ is worth considering for the Diesel auto. If priced too high, it might just get into the Seltos HTK+ territory.

[sahil624]

Originally Posted by Pri2

Spotted a test Sonet in Bangalore today. It appears that this car was camouflaged till recently.

Thank you for the pictures. The back of the car does not look good. It might have the least road presence of all the sub-4 m SUVs.

Also, received a call from Kia dealership in Jaipur. He says they will start getting Sonet from 5th September. I am not sure he meant the test ride vehicle or the delivery of vehicle.

[stormdRider]

According to a recent post on Auto Punditz facebook page, Kia Motors will officially open bookings for the Sonet from August 20.



Link to Post.

[SansGT]

https://indianauto.com/stories/kia-s...ileage-nid6854

This report talks about the impressive FE of the diesel automatic. Will be great to see such figures.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by SansGT

https://indianauto.com/stories/kia-s...ileage-nid6854

This report talks about the impressive FE of the diesel automatic. Will be great to see such figures.

Why not?

Seltos Diesel AT owners have reported even better highway figures - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offic...ml#post4812943 (Kia Seltos : Official Review)

[KPR]

Originally Posted by stormdRider

According to a recent post on Auto Punditz facebook page, Kia Motors will officially open bookings for the Sonet from August 20.

Already dealers have taken many bookings unofficially. . So it's never late for Kia to declare start of bookings in open.

[sv97]

I don't know if this has already been posted here but this is what the rear of the Sonet reminds me of:-





Like someone already mentioned it is a combination of many cars.

After such a great looking Seltos. Kia should have looked elsewhere for inspiration.

[MrBeast]

The Sonet, I guess, is a great looking car from the front but the rear should have been better. Check out this red Sonet I came across. Notice that the red accents which will remain exclusive to the GT Line do not look very prominent in the red shade.




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