The Kia Sonet made waves when it first launched in India—and for good reason. Compact size, SUV styling, loaded with features, and priced pretty smartly. Fast forward to 2025, and it’s back with a refreshed face, better tech, and some smart tweaks.
We got behind the wheel to see if it still holds its ground in the compact SUV crowd that’s getting more competitive by the day.
First Look: Sharper Face, Stronger Road Presence
Kia has made some subtle yet important design changes to the 2025 Sonet. The front grille’s got a new pattern, the LED DRLs are now sleeker, and the bumper’s been redesigned to look more rugged. Honestly, it looks more grown-up now.
The rear also gets a connected tail-lamp setup (finally!) and a beefier-looking skid plate. The car still looks compact but carries a lot of road presence—especially in those darker paint shades like Intense Red or Aurora Black Pearl.
Interiors: Feels Bigger Than It Is
Step inside the new Sonet, and it’s hard to believe it’s a sub-4m SUV. The layout is clean, well-organized, and just feels nice to sit in.
What we liked:
- Dual 10.25-inch displays (digital cluster + infotainment)
- Ventilated front seats (still rare in this segment!)
- Bose 7-speaker sound system
- Wireless charging pad with cooling
- Premium two-tone seat options in higher variants
Rear seat space is okay—not massive—but two adults will be comfy. The boot? 385 litres, which is honestly pretty generous for a compact SUV.
Engine Options: Still a Versatile Trio
Kia hasn’t messed with what was already working. The Sonet still comes with:
- 1.2L Petrol (83 PS, 5-speed manual)
- 1.0L Turbo Petrol (120 PS, iMT & 7DCT)
- 1.5L Diesel (115 PS, 6MT & 6AT)
The 1.2L petrol is decent for city rides, but not exactly exciting. If you want that fun punch, the 1.0L turbo petrol is the one to pick. Smooth, quick, and works great with the DCT gearbox.
Surprisingly, the diesel automatic is still one of the best combos for highway drives—smooth, torquey, and quite efficient.
Claimed mileage figures:
- 1.2L Petrol: 18.4 kmpl
- 1.0L Turbo Petrol: 19.2 kmpl
- 1.5L Diesel: Up to 22.3 kmpl
How’s the Ride? Still Pretty Balanced
The Sonet strikes a sweet balance between comfort and control. The suspension setup absorbs bad roads nicely, and it doesn’t bounce around on speed breakers. It’s no corner-carver, but for city roads and the occasional highway sprint, it feels confident.
The DCT variant in particular feels refined. Light steering helps in the city, but it could use a bit more feedback at high speeds.
Also Read Hyundai i20
Safety & Features: Big on Both
Kia’s pushed the envelope in the safety department for 2025. Even the lower variants feel well-equipped.
Safety highlights:
- 6 Airbags standard across all variants
- ESC, Hill Hold, TPMS
- Front and rear parking sensors
- ADAS (Level 1) on top trims: Lane Keep Assist, Auto Emergency Braking, etc.
That’s honestly impressive in this price range.
Variants & Price Overview
The 2025 Kia Sonet is available in Tech Line, GT Line, and the new X-Line trim.
Estimated price range: ₹7.99 lakh – ₹14.50 lakh (ex-showroom)
GT Line and X-Line trims bring in extra cosmetic flair and top-end features like ventilated seats, dual-tone interiors, and the full ADAS suite.
FAQs About the Kia Sonet 2025
Q: Does the Sonet 2025 have ADAS?
A: Yes, Level 1 ADAS is available on higher trims, including Lane Assist and Auto Braking.
Q: Is there a diesel automatic version for Sonet 2025?
A: Absolutely. The 1.5L diesel engine is available with a smooth 6-speed automatic.
Q: What’s the mileage of the Sonet 2025?
A: Claimed figures range between 18.4 to 22.3 kmpl, depending on engine and transmission.
Q: Are ventilated seats still offered in Sonet?
A: Yes, available in the GT Line and X-Line variants.
Q: Is the Sonet good for long drives?
A: Definitely. The diesel auto or turbo petrol DCT options are great highway performers.
Q: Any sunroof in Kia Sonet?
A: Yup, an electric sunroof is offered from the HTX variant onwards.
Final Verdict: Is the Sonet Still Worth It?
Kia’s done a good job keeping the Sonet fresh without changing what made it great. It still looks stylish, feels premium inside, and offers something for almost everyone—whether you’re a first-time buyer or upgrading from a small hatch.
Yes, it’s priced slightly on the higher side now, but the features, safety kit, and overall experience justify it. If you want a compact SUV that ticks almost every box, the 2025 Sonet is hard to ignore.
Author- Ayush
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