Kia’s small(est) crossover contests an exceedingly congested segment of the new-car market, but has proven a popular purchase nonetheless. We conducted an extended test of the Kia Sonet 1.5 LX Auto to discover its strengths and (very few) weaknesses.
It seems like yesterday when A- and B-segment compact hatchbacks ruled the sales charts, but the relentless growth in popularity of small crossovers (also known as compact family cars) has seen those once dominant vehicle types eclipsed by their (relatively) high-riding siblings, such as the Kia Sonet, the topic of this article!
Kia no longer offers the Rio in South Africa, and while the next iteration of the Picanto is coming, it is likely to play a smaller role.
As we zipped around Cape Town in the popular Sonet for a few weeks, we couldn’t help but notice how many examples were on the roads. Kia South Africa has achieved notable sales volumes by boosting the Sonet through the rental car industry, but evidently, the stylish little Kia holds considerable appeal for private buyers as well, even though it is comparatively expensive compared with some of its rivals.
But what’s it like to live with? And given its relative price premium, is it worth the extra money?
3 Things we like about the Kia Sonet
Ride and overall comfort levels
Indicative of its modern design, the Sonet may have a shorter wheelbase than those of the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro and Suzuki Fronx (its 2 main rivals, in our opinion), but it fits between them in terms of overall vehicle length and, importantly, width. The seats are comfortable and the driver’s chair is height adjustable.
Combined with the ride height of the vehicle (190 mm), and the high-perched driver’s seat, the Sonet creates the impression of being a “bigger” vehicle than it is – a trait that many buyers of small crossovers (let alone some of the larger examples) seem to prefer. A minor irritation is that the steering column is only adjustable for rake (angle), but nevertheless, a comfortable driving position should be easy to find.
The rear space is good, with surprisingly generous leg- and headroom available. Then again, the Sonet is a taller vehicle than the Fronx and only a smidge lower than the more overtly SUV-like Tiggo 4 Pro. Aft occupants have access to their own ventilation outlets (always a nice touch) and a USB charging port.
The load bay has a noteworthy claimed capacity of 392 litres, which is better than the figures claimed for the Chery and Suzuki respectively. It is also nicely box-shaped, to better accommodate bulky items.
But, unfortunately, the Sonet is fitted with a single-piece rear backrest. Folding that down does free up a lot of utility space, but it also turns the Sonet into a 2-seater.
Riding on 15-inch (steel) wheels fitted with plump 195/65 tyres, the softly-sprung Sonet provides a relaxing driving experience around town. What’s more, given the Korean model’s compact dimensions (and standard reverse-view camera), it is also easy to park in the city. The lack of fancy alloy wheels and the generous width of the tyres’ sidewalls also help to make parking against high kerbs less stressful.
Inside, the Sonet feels every bit a well-made, decently equipped and thoroughly modern little runabout. The instrumentation is digital, the manual aircon is potent and electric windows are standard, while the touchscreen infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and voice commands.
The Kia is a quiet and relaxed car to drive, even when it’s traversing poorly maintained road surfaces, which is a testament to its good build quality; we discerned neither a rattle nor a squeak from the cabin.
But compared with the competition, it has a few shortcomings. Perhaps most importantly, it only has dual front airbags (its aforementioned rivals have additional side- and curtain airbags) and no cruise control.
Power and efficiency balance
This Sonet is powered by a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine. There is no fancy turbo- or supercharger here, just a simple, unstressed naturally aspirated motor that should prove reliable for many, many years.
The engine delivers strong maximum outputs: 85 kW and 144 Nm of torque, both of which best the peak numbers claimed for the Suzuki and Chery. The Sonet is about 100 kg heavier than the Suzuki, but 100 kg lighter than the Chery, and its engine dovetails nicely with the continuously variable auto transmission (CVT) to deliver refined cruising and impressive responsiveness when you put your foot down.
Of course, with a claimed 0-100 kph time of 11.8 sec, it’s unlikely to win many traffic-light grands prix, but for general driving, performance is spot-on, seeing as the 1.5 LX delivers impressive fuel efficiency.
Kia claims an average consumption figure of 7.2 L/100 km and, for once, we managed to achieve that level of efficiency. In fact, we bettered it… On our usual test route, the little Kia returned 6.9 L/100 km!
Peace of Mind
Kia has built a reputation for quality and reliability, with strong performances in JD Power surveys across the globe. During the Sonet’s tenure in our fleet, we were regularly impressed with the test unit’s build quality.
It’s one of Kia’s more affordable models, but when you’re seated behind its ‘wheel (while travelling to your next destination) you don’t get that impression, quite the contrary. Further boosting ownership confidence is an excellent 5-year/unlimited km warranty, backed with a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.
Watch Ciro De Siena’s earlier video review of the Kia Sonet 1.0T EX+
What we dislike about the Kia Sonet
Although we were impressed with the Sonet’s refinement, build quality and comfort levels, we still think Kia South Africa needs to either sharpen its pencil (make the pricing keener) – or add some features.
The staggering success of the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, for example, is largely built on the buying public’s perception of value for money, but that model is quietly building a reputation for having other talents too.
So, Kia cannot rest on its laurels. Offering dual front airbags only in this day and age – at this price level – is not acceptable. We also missed a split-folding rear seat and reach adjustment for the steering column.
Verdict
Comfortable, efficient, stylish and backed with a strong warranty, the Kia Sonet is an attractive option in the congested small crossover/compact family car segment. There is nothing inherently flawed about the car (except, perhaps, the single-piece folding rear seat); most of our criticisms are merely spec-related.
Still, the competition in this segment is fierce and, if Kia wants a bigger slice of the action, it would be well-advised to ramp up the showroom appeal of its LX trim grade. There’s a facelifted version of the Sonet on the way – wouldn’t that be the perfect opportunity to pack more value into the package?
New Kia Sonet Specs & Prices in South Africa
Search for a new/used example of the Kia Sonet for sale on Cars.co.za
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fuel tank capacity and mileage of the Kia Sonet?
The Kia Sonet has a fuel tank capacity of 45 litres. The official fuel consumption figures for the Sonet range between 5.8- and 6.6 L/100km depending on the engine and transmission combination.
How many people can sit in the Kia Sonet?
The Kia Sonet is a 5-seater SUV, with seating for a driver and four passengers. It does not come in a 7-seater option.
What are the available engine and transmission options for the Kia Sonet?
In South Africa, the Kia Sonet is available with two petrol engine options (1.2L and 1.0L turbo). The transmission options include manual, CVT and duel clutch automatic transmission.
What are some of the key features of the Kia Sonet?
The Kia Sonet is known for its feature-rich cabin. Depending on the variant, key features can include an electric sunroof, a 10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, a Bose premium 7-speaker sound system, ventilated front seats, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
What is the ground clearance of the Kia Sonet?
The Kia Sonet has a ground clearance of 205 mm, which is suitable for navigating various road conditions and terrains.
What are some common complaints or drawbacks of the Kia Sonet?
Commonly reported drawbacks include a lack of rear-seat knee room, which can be a concern for taller passengers, and noticeable tyre noise in the cabin at higher speeds. Some users also note that for its premium price, it could include features like auto wipers or a 360-degree camera on more variants.
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Reviews
