Only a few times in one's lifetime will you be able to witness a revolution. Whether it's the Information Age, as some of the older readers will recall, or the world of mainstream electrification in motoring, there will only be a handful of instances where you are present to witness the start and the adoption en masse of a particular movement. In the Kia Sonet's case, it's a warming illustration of the development of the Indian manufacturing process.
Related: How much are car repayments on a new KIA Sonet?
The new Kia Sonet is indeed manufactured in India and while this has been the sticking point for many that have come before it, I wholeheartedly believe that the Sonet range has what it takes to alter perceptions.
Introduced at the beginning of 2021 after only being unveiled to the public in late 2020 (and we know what kind of year 2020 was), shows that there is serious momentum when it comes from manufacturers tooling up and getting the job done remotely. The Sonet is the smallest crossover SUV in the Korean firms' lineup, offering the tried and tested features that the ever-changing market currently demands, and it enters the market offering a lot of spice for something so affordable.
Styling
Small car, big design. That's the best way of describing the endearing Sonet. In much the same way that the Renault Kwid looks big but actually isn't, the Kia Sonet presents itself as a larger SUV while managing to maintain a relatively small and manageable footprint. That's not to say it's tiny, it's just not quite as big as it appears from a distance.
Strong, purposeful wheel arches rest well lower than the headlights and Tiger-Nose grille of the front end that makes it unmistakably Kia in its design, offering up a squat stance akin to a small bulldog. The boxy shape is only softened by gentle scalloping on virtually all the panels that are coated in the body colour. A silver lower grill element adds a rugged touch and informs passers-by that this is crossover and is ready to tackle some dirt roads.
While not fitted with LED headlights, the Sonet does employ LED elements in sections of the taillights, their design seeing them pulled across the width of the rear by a slim reflective element just under the rear window.
Our EX model rode on 16-inch alloy wheels with an attractive broad spoke design and machine polished face; a wise choice for our local roads and indeed, overall comfort levels.
Interior & Space
The interior design of the Sonet continues the rugged, multi-purpose approach taken by the exterior. A combination of horizontal lines adds width while vertical elements give one the impression of height and stature. The gauge binnacle borrows from the Mercedes-Benz widescreen cockpit design and sees a rectangular, piano black pod span from around the driver's instrument cluster across and around the infotainment system screen.
While it keeps a small footprint, the Sonet is surprisingly spacious inside. Anyone that is upgrading from a compact hatchback will feel right at home up front with generous head-, leg-, and shoulder room. It's the passengers in the back that are slightly short-changed and rear legroom is not what one would refer to as extensive. Kia makes up for this lack of rear space by raking the rear backrests and allowing a more relaxed seating position for backseat passengers.
Boot space comes in at 392-litres, besting most of its contemporaries in the segment by several litres.
Comfort & Convenience
One of the more considered styling approaches is that of the upholstery. Rather than opt for imitation leather, a denim-like fabric has been used and before you knock it, it's probably one of the best calls made in the interior. Dark grey and with the impression of being hard-wearing, this upholstery is dressed up with contrast stitching and complement by a supple fabric for the seat centres.
The ergonomics are, sadly, a bit of a miss though. I found the driver's seat to offer insufficient height adjustment and despite ample rake and reach adjustment on the steering wheel, struggled to find a driving position that was completely comfortable. The only other detraction from what is an agreeable cabin is the gratuitous use of hard plastics. Admittedly, the contact points are treated to soft-touch materials but expanses of hard plastic abound. I can let this one pass though as the price point reflects this approach to the interior build.
You are treated to an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto although I had a few instances where the connection would be dropped and one would need to repair in order to resume functionality.
You will get air conditioning of the manual variety along with electric windows and mirrors, a 6-speaker audio system, auto headlights and a reverse camera system. This is big car tech in a car that's not all too expensive.
Performance
All models in the Sonet range are powered by the same 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with a choice of either a 6-speed manual or a CVT automatic. This engine produces 85 kW and 144 Nm torque, so it's not going to set your world on fire (especially when paired with the CVT transmission) but it's not going to leave you wanting either. The lightweight and effective gearing ensure that the Sonet actually feels sprightly.
Our test model was fitted with the CVT gearbox and when driven as intended and you don't ask too much from the drivetrain, responds very well and keeps the engine in its happy place. At no point in time did it seem to drone on nor did it falter in stop and go traffic. Overall, a very pleasant experience.
Another eye-opener was the steering feel and general road manners. Indian manufactured vehicles often struggle with steering feel and on-centre stability but there is nothing in the Sonet that suggests this to be the case. So much so that I was genuinely taken aback when I learned that it originated from India. Clearly, the Sonet has been designed to be a global offering.
Fuel Economy
Low power outputs will usually translate into low fuel consumption numbers, a boon for those who keep a keen eye on their monthly budgets. Where Kia claims an average fuel consumption of 7.2 l/100km on the combined cycle, I was able to register a 7.1 l/100km with a rather mixed bag of driving situations. Low 7s aren't necessarily noteworthy, but I was glad to see that it was able to match the manufacturer claims.
Safety
There's no immediate concern in the Sonet as there may be from other Indian produced offerings. The Sonet is fitted with a rather comprehensive list of safety equipment and once again plays to the idea that this was designed for a global market. Considering the price point and its peers, the Sonet fares well.
Aside from the high-strength steel construction, you also get ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Start Assist, dual airbags up front and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
Price
I wish I could break out into an infomercial-style "What do you expect to pay for all of this!?" because I was genuinely surprised at how much car one was getting for how little of your money you would have to part with. Pricing on the Sonet range starts from R269 995 for the LX manual model and rounds off at R310 995 for the model I tested. When one considers the current market, it's impressive to see the amount of value still available today.
Competitors
The first head-on competitor comes from its sister, the Hyundai Venue. Personally, I prefer the styling of the Sonet. One will also be looking towards the Nissan Magnite and Toyota Urban Cruiser or Suzuki Vitara Brezza. If you need a little more space though, the Renault Duster is still a worthy alternative.
Verdict
I was genuinely impressed by the little Sonet. It was friendly, useful and wasn't breaking the bank at the pumps. I quite like the styling and as long as you don't have illusions of winning Le Mans with it, you will be suitably impressed by the overall package.
The Kia Sonet shows us that great value can be had from an Indian-derived machine and it doesn't have to break the bank in the process. We're seeing the revolution of the affordable car, the one where it gets creature comforts, safety and style.
