Kia Motors India globally unveiled the Sonet subcompact SUV today via a digital webcast. The Sonet SUV will likely be launched during the festive season. It is the third offering from Kia Motors in the Indian Market. Sonet has already been referred to as the sibling of the already popular Hyundai Venue. While they share the engine options amongst each other, we know that both the SUV's are quite different from each other. On the other hand, Kia Sonet also rivals the likes of the Nissan Magnite slated to be launched by the end of 2020. Check out this comparison of Kia Sonet with its rivals Hyundai Venue and Nissan Magnite to find out what is it that it has to offer.
Kia Sonet vs Hyundai Venue vs Nissan Magnite: Price in India
Kia Sonet's expected price could be in the range of Rs 7 lakhs - Rs 11.5 lakh (ex-showroom). While Hyundai Venue is currently priced between Rs 6.7 lakhs - Rs 11.4 lakhs (ex-showroom). In comparison to this, Nissan Magnite is expected to be priced at around Rs 5.25 lakhs (ex-showroom).
Kia Sonet vs Hyundai Venue vs Nissan Magnite: Exterior Features
Upfront, Kia Sonet gets the most prominent tiger-nose grille with chrome-finished lower edge. The grille is flanked by LED headlamps that give the subcompact SUV a bold look. The design of the LED DRLs with integrated side turn indicators is inspired by the ‘Wild by Design’ theme. While the Hyundai Venue gets split type headlamp setup with turn indicator followed by a projector headlamp unit below it. Further, it gets a large cascading grille with chrome inserts. In comparison, Nissan Magnite gets Datsun-inspired front grille and Z-shaped LED DRLs. The front grille gets chrome accents with red highlight thus giving a bold look to the vehicle. It also gets faux skid plates with silver inserts.
At the side, Kia Sonet rides on 16-inch alloy wheels along with muscular-looking wheel arches with black cladding. It also gets roof rails along with door handles in body colour. Talking about Hyundai Venue, then the subcompact SUV rides on 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with wheel arches and side body cladding. It also gets roof rails, C-shaped LED turn indicators for the mirror, and chrome finished door handles. Nissan Magnite, on the other hand, gets dual-tone alloy wheels with chunky wheel arches.
The rear end of the Sonet stands to provide LED tail-lamps that are connected with a unique reflector garnish, thus giving it a wider look from behind. There is a Kia badge mounted on the tailgate. The bumper has a silver-finish faux skid plate along with faux twin-exhaust trims. Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, gets LED tail-lamps with crystal effect. It features two-reflectors on either side along with a skid plate. In the case of Magnite, the rear end gets full LED taillights.
Kia Sonet vs Hyundai Venue vs Nissan Magnite: Interior Features
The major difference between the cabin of the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue is the dashboard design. The Sonet features a single house for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system. Whereas the Venue gets a more conventional layout with the freestanding central display separate from the instrument cluster panel. Further, the Sonet gets the largest-in-segment 10.25-inch connected panel type HD touchscreen with both infotainment and navigation system. Along with this, it also gets UVO connected technology with 57 features including the seamless UVO - Voice Assist. Whereas the Venue features an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The 4.2-inch MID in the instrument cluster panel along with the tachometer gives a sporty feel to the Sonet. A plethora of features such as navigation turn-by-turn, High Line Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Multi Drive Modes and Grip Control can easily be accessed through it. The climate control panel gets buttons and switches. A wireless charging pad separates the centre console from the dashboard. It also gets another storage tray positioned ahead of the gearbox. Whereas in the case of Venue, it gets two dial instrument cluster and a MID positioned in the middle. Here the climate control panel gets three-dial setup and is positioned below the central display. It gets only one storage tray ahead of the gear selector that comes with a wireless charging pad.
Talking about Nissan Magnite, it has opted for the conventional rotary dials for AC functions instead of the touchscreen buttons. Further, it features an all-digital instrument cluster and the flat-bottomed steering wheel with audio and telephonic controls. The subcompact SUV gets an 8-inch floating infotainment system. The hexagonal-shaped AC vents have been placed above the infotainment system while the rotary dials are placed right beneath it.
Kia Sonet vs Hyundai Venue vs Nissan Magnite: Safety Features
Talking about the safety features, then there is hardly any difference between the safety equipment list on both the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue. There are one or two extra features such as rain-sensing wipers present in Kia Sonet which the Venue might have missed out on. Rest both come equipped with 6 airbags, reverse parking camera, TPMS, ABS with EBD among others. In comparison, the safety kit of Nissan Magnite comprises a 360-degree camera, cruise control, steering-mounted controls, and auto climate controls.
Kia Sonet vs Hyundai Venue vs Nissan Magnite: Engine Specifications
Under the hood, Kia Sonet borrows powertrains from the Hyundai Venue. It get three engine options - a 1.2-litre petrol engine, 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit, and 1.5-litre diesel mill. While Nissan Magnite gets an option of two 1.0-litre petrol engines offering different power outputs.
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