Kia Sonet

Kia Sonet (2024) Review

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

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. See also: New Kia Sonet Specs & Prices in South Africa

Verdict

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.


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Kia Sonet (2024) Specs & Price

Having launched the updated Kia Sonet small crossover in South Africa earlier this year, the Korean brand’s local subsidiary has now added a pair of entry-level LS variants and is offering a R40k deal-assistance package on all other derivatives.

The Kia Sonet competes in the highly competitive compact SUV segment and the latest updated Sonet now offers revised styling as well as more choice for local buyers.

The newly arrived 1.5 LS manual (R299 995) and 1.5 LS CVT (R324 995) derivatives are not majorly de-specced versions of their LX trim-grade equivalents (the range’s previous entry-level variants), yet they retail for R67k less than their siblings. What’s more, Kia South Africa has announced that up to R40 000 in deal assistance is available on LX, EX, EX Plus and SX variants “for the remainder of the year (2024).”

Although the improved affordability at the entry point of the facelifted Sonet range will be welcomed, the drawback is a reduction of the standard service plan from 4 years/60 000 km to 3 years/45 000 km.

What’s Changed on the latest Kia Sonet?

The Kia Sonet’s design follows the Korean firm’s latest “Opposites United” design philosophy which is also employed on other Kia models such as the Picanto and Seltos.

How much does the Kia Sonet cost in South Africa?

Note that pricing is accurate as of October 2024.

Kia Sonet 1.5 LS Manual R299 995
Kia Sonet 1.5 LS CVT R324 995
Available with up to R40k deal assistance (until 31 December 2024):
Kia Sonet 1.5 LX Manual R366 995
Kia Sonet 1.5 LX CVT R391 995
Kia Sonet 1.5 EX CVT R411 995
Kia Sonet 1.0T EX DCT R436 995
Kia Sonet 1.5 EX Plus CVT R454 995
Kia Sonet 1.5 SX CVT R484 995

The Sonet is sold with Kia’s 5-year/unlimited km warranty, inclusive of Roadside Assistance. Note, however, that although the facelifted Kia Sonet was launched (in June 2024) with a 4-year/60 000 km service plan as standard, that has now been reduced to a 3-year/45 000 km service plan.

 
The Kia Sonet compact SUV just got a whole lot cheaper with the arrival of new LS version

The compact SUV market is a highly contested space and while the Kia Sonet has always impressed with its quality and practicality, its pricing has crept out of reach for many buyers.

That should change with the introduction of a new LS model grade, as well as significant “deal assistance” on the remainder of the range.

The new Sonet 1.5 LS comes in at R299,995 in manual guise and R324,995 as a CVT, undercutting the previous base model, the LX, by a considerable R67,000 in the recently facelifted range. However the remaining models, excluding the new LS of course, are being offered with a R40,000 deal assistance between now and the end of 2024.

Kia South Africa CEO Paul Turnbull said the introduction of the new LS base model came about as a result of the Rio hatchback being discontinued in our market after right-hand-drive production was terminated abroad. This, he said, left a void for customers seeking a spacious and comfortable vehicle priced below the R300,000 mark.

Here’s how the Kia Sonet LS shapes up to some of the alternatives

Mahindra XUV 3X0 1.2T MX3 - 82kW - R274,999
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 Lit - 83kW - R279,900
Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GL manual - 77kW - R297,900
Toyota Starlet Cross 1.5 XS - 77kW - R299,900
Kia Sonet 1.5 LS - 85kW - R299,995
Nissan Magnite 1.0T Visia - 74kW - R302,800
Hyundai Venue 1.2 Premium - 61kW - R309,900

Kia Sonet: Full Range and Pricing

1.5 LS Manual - R299,995 (new)
1.5 LS CVT - R324,995 (new)
1.5 LX Manual - R366,995*
1.5 LX CVT - R391,995*
1.5 EX CVT - R411,995*
1.0 T-GDi EX DCT - R436,995*
1.5 EX Plus CVT - R454,995*
1.5 SX CVT - R484,995*

* Available with up to R40,000 deal assistance

 
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