Kia Sonet 1.5 EX (2021): All the compact SUV you'll ever need

Styling

 

The distinctively-Kia Sonet is a little more aggressively styled than most of its counterparts from other stables. The Sonet's adaptation of Kia's tiger-nose grille, underlined with chrome brightwork and flanked by swept-back headlamps, looks chic and futuristic, while the sporty-looking skid plate adds off-road appeal. Around the back, the LED taillights are joined together in a long horizontal line, while well-placed recesses and another skid plate add to the overall SUV-effect. Silver alloy wheels are offset by black cladding at the edges of the wheel arches, and the swooping coupé-like beltline gets silver "eyeliner”. The Sonet has curves and character lines in all the right places, and is arguably one of the more handsome offerings in the segment, (in my opinion), certainly more appealing than the Venue from its sister company, Hyundai.

 

Interior 

 

Here's where the Sonet successfully sings for its supper, as it feels decidedly premium inside. The seat backs are covered in leather to prevent dusty shoe marks, while the material that comes in direct contact with your skin is comfortable, but hard wearing, like your favourite expensive couch. In the EX-model, a massive touchscreen serves as your control centre to the infotainment system. Featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, there's no issue if you forgot your cable at home. When you do the initial pairing, the car has to be stationary, or it won't work, but once it's done, you're good to go. Once you set foot inside the car, your phone will automatically connect to the system. Just press the Apple CarPlay icon on screen, and you'll have hands-free everything. The only problem is that you can't use an external data source such as a mobile data device for audio streaming, since you can't be connected to your Mi-Fi and the Sonet's system at the same time. These features are standard across the board.

 

 

The leather-clad steering wheel has buttons and switches for quick access to various settings, and the instrument cluster's modern, partially-digital layout gives you information at a glance.

 

 

There are two USB ports up front, while the rear passengers also have a designated USB port for their devices. Usually, this is the first thing my kids look for when they get into the back of every press car I drive. 

 

 

Space wise, the Sonet is on par for its segment, although rear legroom is less than you'll find in the Vitara Brezza and Toyota Urban Cruiser, but the Sonet makes up for this with a well-sized cargo area.

As for comfort features, the EX-grade model comes well-equipped, but so does the entry-level manual model, the Sonet 1.5 LX (R264 995). Check out our Kia Sonet launch report for the spec highlights on both models, here.

 

Drive, power, and performance

 

The entry- and mid-grade model is powered by a 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated engine with 85kW, which is sprightly for the segment, and if you put your foot down, the continuous variable transmission reacts quickly to send power to the front wheels. While I'm not a huge fan of CVT gearboxes, this specific unit is quiet, responsive, and highly competent. It's only when you're in need of instant power and press your foot down hard, that the familiar CVT drone rears its noisy head.  

 

 

Our roadtrip to Franschhoek proved to be plenty of fun as we transported my youngest to camp for the weekend, on the other side of the Franschhoek pass. This allowed us to see exactly how much luggage we could fit into the boot (he had to bring everything, except for a tent) and to also test the Sonet's penchant for going around corners. To drive, it feels much like a hatchback, with excellent road holding and grip, despite its ground clearance of 19cm and practical 195/65 R16 tyres. The boot is a voluminous 392 litres, and would easily have allowed for a tent and more camping gear. (Please note that this image below was taken a few days before our trip.)

 

 

Once we arrived at the campsite, we felt fortunate that we weren't in a low-slung sedan, as the heavy rains had turned the dirt road deeply rutted and some other parents were struggling to exit the site. Yet again, the Sonet's suspension was unperturbed by the rough and muddy road surface and the ride quality remained comfortable throughout, illustrating its suitability for gentle off-roading as well as city life. After a hearty dinner at our favourite steakhouse, we tackled the Franschhoek Pass again to get home. The Sonet's headlamps did an excellent job of illuminating the road ahead, making our drive in the dark pleasantly stress-free.

 

 

Fuel Economy

 

Kia's average consumption figure for the Sonet of 7.2 litres per 100 km is quite accurate, depending on how hard you're going to drive it. I drove the 1.5-litre Sonet in my usual fashion, not too fast but not too slowly, and our trip computer stabilised at around 6.5 litres per 100 km. This is about the going rate for the segment, and one of the reasons why so many people are opting for compact SUVs these days.

 

Safety

 

Apart from the obligatory ABS, all models come equipped with two airbags, EBD, stability control, hill-start assist, delayed headlights, Isofix mountings (on the outer rear seats), remote central locking, automatic headlights, a rearview camera, and voice control (to be used with or without Siri or your Google Assistant). EX models have front fog lamps as well. This makes the entry-level LX Manual a very sweet deal, if you don't mind going without the leather steering wheel, silver skid plates, alloy wheels, and roof rails.

 

Pricing and verdict

 

The Sonet looks and feels upmarket enough to blow the competition out of the water. The level of refinement for the price is certain to attract more buyers to the brand. Where looks, features, and style are concerned, its fiercest competitor is probably the turbocharged Nissan Magnite, and you can expect a video shootout between the two shortly. But Kia has a turbocharged model coming later this year, in top-spec GT Line grade, which will probably be even richer in technology and features. Watch this space.

 

The numbers

Model tested: Kia Sonet 1.5 EX auto (petrol only)

Price: R 305 995

Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated

Transmission: CVT 

Output: 85 kW and 144 Nm of torque

0-100 km/h: 11.8 seconds

Top speed: 170 km/h

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto: Yes (wireless)

Fuel economy (Kia's figure): 7.2 litres per 100 km

Airbags: 2

Stability control: Yes

Ground clearance: 190 mm

Cargo area: 392 litres

Warranty and service plan: 5 years / unlimited km, 4-year / 60 000 km service plan (service every 15 000 km), with 5 years of roadside assistance.