The fight in the sub-compact SUV segment of India is getting really intense and exciting as well. The sub-4-metre compact-SUV segment of India was already overcrowded and now we have one more player in the list, the Kia Sonet. Kia Motors has marked its foray into the sub-compact SUV segment. The South Korean carmaker has just launched the new 2020 Kia Sonet BS6 with prices starting at Rs. 6.71 lakhs, Ex-showroom Delhi. So, today we have for you a detailed specification-based comparison of the new Kia Sonet with all its rivals. Here, we have the Kia Sonet vs Tata Nexon vs Hyundai Venue vs Mahindra XUV300 vs Ford EcoSport vs Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.
Kia Sonet vs Nexon vs Venue vs XUV300 vs EcoSport vs Vitara Brezza: Dimensions
| Specification | Sonet | Nexon | Venue | EcoSport | Vitara Brezza |
| Length | 3995 mm | 3993 mm | 3995 mm | 3998 mm | 3995 mm |
| Width | 1790 mm | 1811 mm | 1770 mm | 1765 mm | 1790 mm |
| Height | 1647 mm | 1606 mm | 1590 mm | 1647 mm | 1640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2500 mm | 2498 mm | 2500 mm | 2519 mm | 2500 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 211 mm | 209 mm | 190 mm | 200 mm | 200 mm |
| Boot Space | 392-litres | 350-litres | 350-litres | 348-litres | 328-litres |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 45-litres | 44-litres | 45-litres | 52-litres | 48-litres |
Kia Sonet vs Nexon vs Venue vs XUV300 vs EcoSport vs Vitara Brezza: Petrol Engine
| Model | Sonet | Vitara Brezza | Venue | Nexon | XUV300 | Ecosport |
| Petrol Engine | 1.2-litre NA 1.0-litre turbo | 1.5-litre NA | 1.2-litre NA 1.0-litre turbo | 1.2-litre turbo | 1.2-litre turbo | 1.5-litre NA |
| Max. Power | 83 PS 120 PS | 105 PS | 83 PS 120 PS | 120 PS | 110 PS | 122 PS |
| Max. Torque | 114 Nm 172 Nm | 138 Nm | 114 Nm 172 Nm | 170 Nm | 200 Nm | 149 Nm |
| Manual Gearbox | 5-speed NA | 5-speed | 5-speed 6-speed | 6-speed | 6-speed | 5-speed |
| Automatic Gearbox | NA 7-speed DCT / 6-speed iMT | 4-speed AT | NA 7-speed DCT / 6-speed iMT | 6-speed AMT | NA | 6-speed AT |
| Mileage MT | 18.4 kmpl NA | 17.03 kmpl | 17.3 kmpl 18.1 kmpl | 17.4 kmpl | 17 kmpl | 15.9 kmpl |
| Mileage AT | NA / 18.2 kmpl | 18.76 kmpl | 18 kmpl / NA | 16 kmpl | NA | 14.7 kmpl |
| Emission Norm | BS6 | BS6 | BS6 | BS6 | BS6 | BS6 |
The Kia Sonet and the Hyundai Venue get the same powerplant. Both these compact-SUVs are powered by a BS6-compliant 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated mill and a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit. The 1.2-litre NA petrol engine churns out 83 PS of power and 114 Nm of torque. It comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox only. The 1.0-litre turbo petrol motor churns out 100 PS of power and 172 Nm of torque. In Venue, the 1.0-litre turbo petrol motor comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, a 7-speed DCT and a 6-speed iMT. However, the Sonet is coupled to a 6-speed iMT and a 7-speed DCT only.
The Vitara Brezza gets a sole petrol engine only. It gets a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine that churns out 105 PS of power and 138 Nm of torque. It comes mated to a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The Ford EcoSport also gets a naturally-aspirated petrol engine. It is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol motor that churns out 122 PS of power and 149 Nm of torque. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.
Then we have the compact SUVs from the Indian carmakers and they are one of the safest cars in the Indian market. The new Tata Nexon Facelift is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that churns out 120 PS of power and 170 Nm of peak torque. It comes mated to a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed AMT gearbox. The XUV300 gets a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that churns out 110 PS of power and 200 Nm of torque. However, the petrol motor of the XUV300 is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox only.
Also Read: 2020 Hero Destini 125 BS6 First Look Review - The Best Family Scooter?
Kia Sonet vs Nexon vs Venue vs XUV300 vs EcoSport vs Vitara Brezza: Diesel Engine
| Model | Sonet | Venue | Nexon | Ecosport | XUV300 |
| Diesel Engine | 1.5-litre | 1.5-litre | 1.5-litre | 1.5-litre | 1.5-litre |
| Max. Power | 100 PS (MT) 115 PS (AT) | 100 PS | 110 PS | 100 PS | 115 PS |
| Max. Torque | 240 Nm (MT) 250 Nm (AT) | 240 Nm | 260 Nm | 215 Nm | 300 Nm |
| Manual Gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed | 6-speed | 6-speed | 6-speed |
| Automatic Gearbox | 6-speed AT | NA | 6-speed AMT | NA | 6-speed AMT |
| Mileage MT | 24.1 kmpl | 23.3 kmpl | 22.4 kmpl | 21.7 kmpl | 20 kmpl |
| Mileage AT | 19 kmpl | NA | 22.4 kmpl | NA | 20* kmpl |
| Emission Norm | BS6 | BS6 | BS6 | BS6 | BS6 |
Now, coming to the diesel powertrains. So, again the Sonet and the Venue gets the same powerplant, however, there is a difference. Both the compact-SUVs get a 1.5-litre diesel engine that pumps out 100 PS of power and 240 Nm of torque and both come mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. But, the Sonet also gets a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission and the diesel automatic Sonet develops 115 PS of power and 250 Nm of torque, which is around 15 PS and 10 Nm more than its manual variants. Also, it is the only car in its class to get a torque converter automatic transmission.
The Tata Nexon gets a 1.5-litre diesel engine that develops 110 PS of power and 260 Nm of torque. It comes mated to a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed AMT. The XUV 300 also gets a 1.5-litre diesel engine that churns out 115 PS of power and a whopping 300 Nm of peak torque. It also comes mated to a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed AMT. Lastly, we have the Ford EcoSport and it is powered by a 1.5-litre diesel engine that churns out 100 PS of power and 215 Nm of torque. However, it gets a 6-speed manual gearbox only.
Kia Sonet vs Nexon vs Venue vs XUV300 vs EcoSport vs Vitara Brezza: Price
Finally, talking about the price, so you can see the price bracket of these six compact SUVs currently on sale in India in the above infographic. This was our detailed specification-based comparison of the new Kia Sonet will all its arch-rivals which include the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra XUV300 and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Which compact-SUV is your favourite and which one will you pick for yourself? Do share with us in the comments section below. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel for more such amazing motoring updates.
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*XUV300 AMT's BS4 ARAI mileage has been written, BS6 model's ARAI mileage has not been revealed yet
