GTX Plus 7DCT: 1500km Update Conditions driven - Gurgaon city (post rush hour / weekends), KMP (dry/ wet), Delhi - Chandigarh (dry/wet), Chandigarh - Shimla (soaking), Shimla - Tattapani (super soaking w landslides aplenty).
Fuel Efficiency - City: 10/11 • Highway 11/14 (pre-servicing & uphill) 16/18 (post servicing & mostly downhill).
Money Spent on service - 0.00 (free servicing). Pertinent to mention here that I had to drive from Shimla to Solan to get a service done. Maruti / Toyota / Mahindra / (even) Jeep have a service centre in Shimla. Kia does not.
Time taken for first service - 2.5 hours.
Service Experience
Got the car about three weeks ago. Did not drive it much around the city as I had to go to Shimla and did not want to breach the 1000km service mark by much. Reached Shimla and breached the 920 mark in a couple of days, so decided to get the car serviced in Solan instead of getting back to Gurgaon.
Shimla - Solan = 1 hour 30 minutes
The service centre was far away from main Solan town and there isn't a way to get there unless you have another car, or want to flag down a roadways bus. So the only option was to vegetate in the rather shabby waiting room for two and a half hours watching KIA promotional / maintenance videos.
The staff is extremely sweet and courteous. 10/10 there
Driving experience
Initially, I felt the car was underpowered. The bottom end torque is muslin cloth flimsy for me. Probably because I am used to the ZDI+ Brezza on highways, which has a bigger bottom end number.
Now I don't know if it's placebo, or if they legitimately do something in the first service where the car seems gruntier. But i've found it such. I could possibly have figured the throttle input better.
Once past the 2k RPM mark, it does not seem faint at ALL. In fact I tried the sports mode multiple times, and in the mountains it felt a bit too excited for my comfort. Sort of like how a puppy suddenly bounds at the sight of a scampering rabbit.
And while we're at that:
With the right throttle input I found the normal driving mode adequate for 95% of my driving time in the mountains.
Far as power is concerned, I did one of the steepest inclines I know of in Shimla (the prospect hill climb right till the temple). Put it in sports mode, and easy peasy.
Within and around shimla, I did not face any problems in the normal mode. In fact I did not miss my manual too much while carving corners because in the uphill sections the RPM usually remains in the turbo zone and the throttle inputs provide instant outputs. Downhill was okay as well because I've never enjoyed excessive engine braking / regular braking. So I go easy.
Stock tyres seem adequate. Did not experience any lack of traction even in swimming wet conditions.
Triple digit speeds are no problem. My wife is a more aggressive straight line driver than I am and she did a 40 minute section. I happened to glance at the speedo and she was well into triple digits and I had zero clue. I usually come to know basis engine noise.
I stayed in early triple digits on the KMP (while returning) primarily because I didn't want truck roof riding pilgrims to take another leap of faith and bless us with their presence through the windshield. This required the use of braking and quick overtakes, which I am happy to report, are effortless.
Super extra marks for the front parking sensors. Especially because the bonnet have very little visibility from the driver's seat.
The lights are very very good. No upgrades needed.
Suspension is stiff. There's no getting away from it. The car slams into potholes. On the other hand, it has less body roll when you take a sharp curve (vs. other compact faux SUVs)
The steering is excellent in the city. Light as a feather. On the highways it does weigh up, but it doesn't do the weighing up proportionally. My eyes know what they are doing, so does my brain, and my feet. But my hands and arms are not in close sync with the others. A stiff suspension with a vague steering is like shooting a sniper rifle set up on mounds of fermented bread dough.
The steering has a lovely grip though.
Creature comforts
The AC is pretty effective. Although I think my Brezza unit still puts most others to shame, but this one nearly meets that one. Throwing in seat ventilation takes the game to a whole new level altogether. Extremely cool (pun intended).
The boot space is generous. I had to haul a lot of stuff back to gurgaon. In the Brezza I'd have to take the parcel tray off and then play a game of Tetris for equivalent stuff. Not in this one. Very happy with this.
Not a big fan of sun roofs, but it does make the cabin roomier on cloudy days (I keep it shut otherwise. Also, the sun roof blind is opaque. As it should be).
They're anyway meant for rear occupants to enjoy. meh.
The Bose music system does justice to nearly every genre. From Bach to Winehouse to The Prodigy. I played it all, and it all sounded good.
A little catch though. Road noise.
I wish this car were better insulated. No matter a good music system, road noise renders all efforts of it an exercise in futility after a while.
Rear camera is fine. Gets the job done. Though I wish there was an option for a 360. Would've saved me from kissing a landslide boulder. Would've gladly paid extra if Kia had an option like that.
My mum liked the rear seat. Said it was better than my brother's Compass. Will report if I ever am placed on the rear bench.
Cabin lights are adequate.
The dancing flickering "ambient light" is a monstrosity that will entice only those who patronise entertainment outlets suspected of providing extras sans billing.
The MID is okay. Should've shown RPM & engine temp in the centre console given that this is a turbo & DCT. The side dials need seeking out from the eye.
The infotainment screen is fluid and sharp. Not a fan of these because they distract while driving. Probably would benefit from a tile like user interface from the ex-windows phones.
The AC blowers slow down while you take calls. The music ramps up as you pick up speed. You can play music through bluetooth from one phone while the other shows shows google maps via CarPlay.
Wired CarPlay is a downer. Very annoying to have your hands touching wires all the time.
Lots of storage spaces. You won't run out easily.
The rear parcel tray seems a whole lot sturdier than the stuff I have on the Brezza.
Auto dimming IRVM. Plus points again.
The air purifier is SUCH a beautiful add on!
The choice and fitting of materials is very good. Maruti NEEDS to learn from the Koreans.
I ordered the front curtains from the dealer when I got the car. Still on order.
More bells and whistles
The remote start (both from the key and the app). Goodbye sweaty back and bum. Goodbye to finding shade to park your car. Goodbye to avoiding driving anywhere in the summer because the first five minutes are sheer, swampy hell.
God bless KIA (while Hyundai kicked Venue in the reproductives) for getting this. You have my vote forever.
The looks are a subjective matter. But the aggressive snout and compact style are a plus for me.
Auto folding and proximity unfolding side view mirrors are feel good for sure.
Verdict
I am hard to please, and I pick nits. It's a bug and a feature.
While the objectivity helps stay grounded, I also suffer from buyer's regret as a result.
However, with the Kia Sonet, I am experiencing a level of happiness and satisfaction that is unsettling for a part of my brain.
The car is very hard to find faults with for where it is placed and what it costs.
I am cautiously happy to have bought this vehicle.
You know, I had been waiting for the JIMNY for five months, having booked it as it was launched. However, the price reveal got me to cancel the booking and I chanced upon the Sonet while shopping for alternatives. It wasn't even in my consideration set.
But sometimes, whatever happens....
I just hope it stays that way *knocks on wood*