A balance of affordability and premium appeal - A Sonet review

Standing out requires more than just a pretty face and a competitive price tag and our freshly facelifted Sonet arrives with exactly this challenge in mind, bringing subtle but meaningful improvements to an already accomplished package.  Our friends over at Cars.co.za had the opportunity to test out the updated version of our compact SUV where they dissected whether our latest facelift still walks the line of affordability and premium appeal. If you’re curious about the answer, we encourage you to continue reading!  

The facelifted Kia Sonet is the entry point to the Korean brand’s SUV line-up. We recently evaluated the flagship 1.5 SX derivative of the updated range to determine whether the Sonet is still one of the best models in the small crossover segment. 

We like: Overall refinement, ride quality, packed with features, comprehensive after-sales package. 

We don’t like: Top-spec variants are a bit pricey, powertrain sounds strained under hard acceleration. 

FAST FACTS 

● Model: Kia Sonet 1.5 SX 

● Price: R484 995 (September 2024) 

● Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine 

● Power/Torque: 85 kW/144 Nm  

● 0-100 kph: 10.3 sec (claimed) 

● Claimed fuel consumption: 6.2 L/100 km 

● Luggage capacity: 385 litres  

The Kia Sonet’s recent mild upgrade evokes that adage of “if it ain’t broke(n), don’t fix it”, but that doesn’t mean that an accomplished offering can’t be tastefully enhanced, of course.  Consider the cosmetic tweaks that have been applied to the Sonet, for example. That revised front-end treatment is striking and bold, replete with oh-so-upmarket daytime running light arrays… it brings the exterior execution of the small crossover closer to those of its Seltos and Sportage siblings. In terms of the Sonet’s line-up, while the 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated and 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines are on duty as before, the range has welcomed a 1.5 SX flagship (tested here). Critically, the 1.5 SX introduces some semi-autonomous safety tech, which wasn’t available in the pre-facelift model. Which models rival the Sonet? Well, the sub-R500k small crossover/compact family car segment is more competitive than the combatants in a gladiator arena! Yep, we could easily fill this page by listing every contender, but we’ve compared the Kia with relatively new models that are the closest to it, price-wise. If you’re shopping in this segment and think the Sonet is a bit small, consider its larger Kia Seltos sibling, which was also facelifted in 2024; we suspect that year-old demo units may prove fantastic value.  

How the Kia Sonet facelift fares in terms of… 

Performance and Efficiency 

The 1.5 SX’s powertrain delivers, um, workmanlike performance. With our test equipment hooked up, the 1.5 SX accelerated from zero to 100 kph in 10.31 sec, which matched the manufacturer’s claim. Suffice it to say, the Kia Sonet facelift performs acceptably by the standards of its segment, but when you need it to accelerate hard, it emits a strained engine note. If you want more punchiness, there’s a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol variant – it’s torquier, but probably won’t be as fuel-efficient as the 1.5. So, as you may have deduced, the Sonet is optimised for ease of use on the daily commute, rather than driver engagement. Befitting its urban runabout role, it comes equipped with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which facilitates ambling along in congested traffic with the minimum of fuss (and no gear shifts). Provided you’re circumspect with right-foot inputs (through the accelerator pedal), even a conventional auto ‘box will struggle to match the smoothness and efficiency of a CVT. 

The SX trim grade adds a selection of drive modes into the mix, as well as customisable traction control modes, which are said to enhance the Sonet’s (very mild) off-road capabilities. While the Kia’s ground clearance is surprisingly generous (190 mm), it’s still a front-wheel-drive vehicle with limited ability to traverse low-grip surfaces, so be mindful: those off-road modes can be beneficial, but only up to a point. To us, the drive modes are of far more interest! Normal is self-explanatory, Sport tweaks the powertrain’s responses to facilitate more eager performance, while Eco dials the car’s settings back (to an extent) to optimise fuel efficiency. Each mode has a corresponding display theme on the digital instrument cluster. Considering that the claimed consumption figure of the Sonet 1.5 SX is 6.2 L/100 km, you should be able to achieve a range of around 700 km from its 45-litre fuel tank (from full to empty).  That said, the stated figure of 6.2 L/100 km might be a little too ambitious; after we reviewed the test unit for 10 days, it showed a combined consumption figure of 7.6 L/100 km. To be fair, some of our testers are notoriously lead-footed, so we expect that 7 L/100 km is possible if adopt a more measured driving style.  

We’ve already made mention of the Kia Sonet facelifted’s decidedly smart appearance and we love the new-look rear light bar, which makes quite the style statement in low light conditions. When it comes to cabin space, most small crossover models can’t genuinely seat 4 adults in comfort, but the Sonet manages it… well, just about. Look, the rear bench is best suited to accommodate children, but thanks to the Kia’s 2 500-mm wheelbase, there’s sufficient leg- and headroom available to seat a pair of average-sized adults on shorter trips. For convenience, a pair of ventilation outlets and two USB charging ports are provided. There’s no skimping on safety features – as all derivatives of the Kia Sonet facelift come equipped with 2 airbags, ABS, EBD and brake assist, as well as electronic stability control. If you opt for one of the higher-specced derivatives, your airbag count goes up to 6 and, in the case of the flagship variant, driver-assistance technology, including lane keep and -follow assist and forward-collision avoidance. 

Is the driver-assistance tech a must-have, though? We’d say that, given the high prevalence of bumper bashes (some callthem fender benders) and collisions with pedestrians on our national road network, it would be a boon if your vehicle could automatically stop to prevent a collision with a person or object. At this price point of almost R500 000
(yes, even small cars have become quite pricey), a Sonet 1.5 SX should have a comprehensive equipment list and to a degree, it does. It’s fashionable for a small crossover to
have a black panel that incorporates a digital instrument cluster and the infotainment system’s touchscreen. Tick! Also, the ability to connect your smartphone (via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto) gives you the option to utilise
navigation- and music streaming apps. Tick! 

The Sonet 1.5 SX’s specification includes features such as LED headlamps and -fog lamps, push-button start, a wireless charging pad, drive modes, as well as the aforementioned added safety tech. Does this mean the rest of the range is meagerly equipped? Not at all, the EX+
derivative (just below the SX) offers features such as climate control, alloy wheels, leather-like upholstery and also has those digital displays. Even the base-spec LX comes with
nice-to-haves such as a reverse-view camera, wireless Apple CarPlay and so on. Perhaps the EX+ offers better value, considering that it costs R30k less than the SX?  

It may be “Kia’s most affordable SUV”, but there’s nothing cheap about the Sonet’s on-road demeanour. Its more affordable rivals cannot match the Sonet’s lofty level of refinement – which is understandable, given their lower price tags – but in the Kia’s case, you pay a bit more money, but also get “more car”. With 16-inch alloys, wrapped in generously sidewalled 215/60 tyres, only major road undulations and tree-root ripples are likely to upset the Sonet’s pliant ride quality/on-road balance. To reiterate,
there’s 190 mm of ground clearance on offer, so you can traverse average-quality dirt roads with confidence. But the steering setup impressed us even more. It’s light enough to make the Kia feel very manoeuvrable, which is great when you need to parallel park into ridiculously small spots, yet it offers sufficient feel to create the impression you’re behind the ‘wheel of a car that’s more upmarket than an entry-level SUV. 

Price and After-sales support 

The Sonet 1.5 SX retails for R484 995 (September 2024), which includes a 5-year/unlimited km warranty, 5 years’
roadside assistance and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan. A variety of plan-extension options are available at extra cost.  

They’ve done it again! With well-thought-out derivatives loaded with tech and safety features, the Kia Sonet facelift caters for a wide spectrum of buyers. We’ll leave the powertrain choice up to you, but the 1.5 does offer the widest choice: it’s available in all 4 trim grades, from LX to SX. The 1.5 SX makes quite the statement, but you won’t feel like you’re skimping too much by opting for an EX+ or EX. Value plays a critical role in vehicle-buying decisions and while we adore the Sonet for its relatively lofty sophistication and refinement, it is priced in a higher bracket than many of
its immediate rivals. Bear in mind, however, Kia’s warranty and service plans are some of the most comprehensive in the business.

Should you consider the Kia Sonet facelift?
Yes, certainly. It’s easy to be distracted by numerous new entries into the market, some of which offer extraordinarily long standard specifications at astonishingly low prices. Having said that, those vehicles still have room for improvement (in some aspects) and their brands (most of which hail from China) are still new to the market and, as yet, unproven. Legacy brands, such as Kia, need to be wary
of tougher competition, but the Sonet aptly demonstrates their response to new market entrants: Offer accomplished products with stronger value propositions.