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2024 Kia Sonet facelift after 500 km: Thoughts of a Maruti Baleno owner

29th March 2024, 12:29 by Utkarsh Chaudhary

My 2022 Baleno gives 19 km/l in the city whereas my new Sonet iMT returns an average fuel efficiency of 10 km/l.

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500 km Initial impression

We purchased a Kia Sonet HTK+ 1.0 Turbo in Feb. Due to low running, I have only been able to clock 500 km a month. But still good enough for the initial impression. Just for context, I also have a 2022 Baleno, so few points will be compared to that.

Positives

Engine

I went with the turbo because I already have a 1.2NA in the garage. Being a 3 cylinder, I expected some vibrations. But it is very refined, it only feels rough on a cold start for about 1 minute. There is turbo lag up until 1500rpm, then things move swiftly. The turbo is felt above 2,000 rpm & it just goes. I have only pushed to 4,000 rpm as of now & the turbo pull/feel is great. I am sure it will solve my overtaking issue in the mountains with Baleno when fully loaded up.

Transmission

The middle way? Neither here nor there. Why would someone want or even invent the iMT? That is what my thoughts were beforehand. But after skipping the AMT in Baleno, I curse myself every time stuck in traffic. With Sonet I had made up my mind to not go with MT. DCT was out of budget, so iMT was the only option. And I was so wrong.

It is the best of both worlds. The left leg is always happy in traffic & the satisfaction of rowing through the gears remains! It was very easy to get used to, there is no head nod like AMT. The gearbox is fast & the gear shift is quick, I only feel the 1st to 2nd is not that quick/smooth. It crawls at 7-8kmph in traffic.

The convenience of even just dumping the clutch is 10 fold when you live in Delhi NCR. After getting used to it, I did grind gears in my Baleno on a few occasions.

High-speed stability & Suspension

To put it simply. 100kmph on Baleno is okay & above 100 is scary & nervous. 100kmph in Sonet is very calm & even 140 (did try once) is the same calm feeling. It just keeps pulling, there is very little road noise. The suspension feels tight & composed. It is a bit firmer than the Baleno, which strikes the right balance between handling & comfort.

Potholes are dealt better after I reduced the Tyre pressure from 40 to 34psi.

SUV Characteristics

Yes, we all know it is a raised hatchback. And that's what is required to deal with 95% of my running. So that I don't have to worry about scraping. I generally carry more speed in Sonet on the same broken roads than in Baleno. The view is commanding, I can see the hood & feel like I am sitting higher & confidence level is more than what I feel sitting inside the Baleno. Baleno has a low seat (at least feels like one).

Features & Interior

The HTK+ is loaded up as per my requirement. I bought the Baleno base variant, with the plan of making it Alpha Pro++ from Karol Bagh Wizardry. Yes, that didn't turn out very well & there is always something off. So with Sonet, I made sure I at least got some feel-good features.

Keyless Entry, Sunroof (My Wife specifically wanted this), Auto headlamps, good infotainment screen with Wireless AA/Carplay & all the standard safety features. I only miss cruise control which can be retrofitted very easily.

Also, the quality of the interior feels a segment or two above Baleno. The plastics, the way everything has been put together.

Negatives/Could be better

Mileage

Remember how I mentioned the crawling speed in traffic? Turns out the Sonet converts that 8kmph to 8kmpl. Jokes apart. I know it’s still in the Run-in period. But I come from a Maruti family all the way. Baleno gives 19kmpl in the city, I have my mindset rigged by it!

Sonet gives an average of 10kmpl in the city as of now. Max, I went up to 16kmpl on a less traffic day. Just stay below 2000rpm. But I did not get the 1.0 Turbo for that, so 10-11 is what I have settled with.

Space

The front row is sufficient & good. But the rear space is not as much as the Baleno. The front seats are scooped so you have decent enough leg space, unless there is someone tall. Thigh support is not that great too.

Auto Start/Stop

It seems to have a mind or logic of its own. It switches off the car in 1st gear when I come to a stop with the brake pressed. Then I shift to N & it wakes up again. So for it to work I have to keep the brake pedal pressed & stay in 1st which I think is not the ideal way.

All in all, I am satisfied with the purchase. I am planning to take it to the Highway & Mountains soon. So that I enjoy more of what this sweet little Engine has to offer.