FiestaST
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Suzuki Fronx vs Kia Sonet vs Toyota Urban Cruiser - Cars.co.za
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Kia Sonet
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FiestaST
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FiestaST
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FiestaST
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FiestaST
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LONG-TERM WRAP-UP: Kia Sonet 1.5 SX CVT
www.carmag.co.za
LONG-TERM WRAP-UP: Kia Sonet 1.5 SX CVT
The Sonet 1.5 SX has completed its stint with the CAR team and Gareth Dean details if these improvements have broadened the appeal.
www.carmag.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master
All of the CAR Magazine Top 12 Best Buys for 2025
www.carmag.co.za
All of the CAR Magazine Top 12 Best Buys for 2025
Our editorial team has concluded its selection of Top 12 Best Buys for 2025, making this a definitive prospective buyers guide for the year!
www.carmag.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Kia Sonet – Why you should buy it
Which Kia Sonet should you buy?
Based on our experience with the Kia Sonet, we think Sonet 1.5 EX+ strikes a good balance between specification and price. The additional stretch over the lesser models gets you 16-inch alloy wheels, 6 airbags, a full faux-leather interior and larger infotainment screen, without having to max out your budget for the elite SX model.
Which Kia Sonet should you buy?
Based on our experience with the Kia Sonet, we think Sonet 1.5 EX+ strikes a good balance between specification and price. The additional stretch over the lesser models gets you 16-inch alloy wheels, 6 airbags, a full faux-leather interior and larger infotainment screen, without having to max out your budget for the elite SX model.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Kia Sonet (2025) Specs & Price in South Africa
Interested in buying the updated Kia Sonet? You’ve come to the right place! Take a look at specification and pricing details below!
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.
New Sonet LS joins the local range
Following the arrival of the updated Sonet in 2024, Kia also introduced a pair of entry-level Sonet LS derivatives, effectively expanding the range and giving buyers more choice!
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.
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.
How much does the Kia Sonet cost in South Africa?
*Note that pricing is accurate as of August 2025.
Sonet 1.5 LS Manual R299 995
Sonet 1.5 LS CVT R324 995
Sonet 1.5 LS Runner panel van R319 995
Sonet 1.5 LX Manual R366 995
Sonet 1.5 LX CVT R391 995
Sonet 1.5 EX CVT R411 995
Sonet 1.0T EX DCT R436 995
Sonet 1.5 EX Plus CVT R454 995
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.
Interested in buying the updated Kia Sonet? You’ve come to the right place! Take a look at specification and pricing details below!
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.
New Sonet LS joins the local range
Following the arrival of the updated Sonet in 2024, Kia also introduced a pair of entry-level Sonet LS derivatives, effectively expanding the range and giving buyers more choice!
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.
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.
How much does the Kia Sonet cost in South Africa?
*Note that pricing is accurate as of August 2025.
Sonet 1.5 LS Manual R299 995
Sonet 1.5 LS CVT R324 995
Sonet 1.5 LS Runner panel van R319 995
Sonet 1.5 LX Manual R366 995
Sonet 1.5 LX CVT R391 995
Sonet 1.5 EX CVT R411 995
Sonet 1.0T EX DCT R436 995
Sonet 1.5 EX Plus CVT R454 995
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.
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FiestaST
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India-Made Kia Sonet Dual Airbags Variant For Africa Scores 1 Star Global NCAP
While the result may raise concerns, it is important to note that the South African-spec Sonet tested by Global NCAP differs significantly from the version sold in India
www.rushlane.com
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Haval Jolion and Kia Sonet receive poor Global NCAP safety ratings
Vehicle safety standards in South Africa have come under intense scrutiny recently, with two popular models being given zero-star ratings by Global NCAP, while the organisation’s latest batch of results show the situation is not much better for compact SUVs.
In the most recent round of Global NCAP crash assessments, released on Wednesday, the Kia Sonet received a dismal one-star rating for adult protection, while the GWM Haval Jolion attained just two stars.
These ratings apply to South African-specification vehicles, which were randomly purchased from local dealers and then crash tested in Germany as part of Global NCAP’s Safer Cars for Africa campaign, run in conjunction with the Automobile Association (AA).
In line with the organisation’s crash testing protocol, the entry-level variants of both vehicles were tested, and in both cases the low safety ratings were attributed to a lack of standard side head protection airbags.
Kia Sonet: One-star rating explained
In the Kia Sonet’s case, the footwell area and bodyshell were deemed to be unstable and not capable of withstanding further loads.
However, it was the poor chest protection offered in the side impact test that sealed the deal for a one-star safety rating. The Kia Sonet is fitted with just two frontal airbags.
In the Child Occupant Protection test, the Kia achieved three stars, with both child dummies receiving full protection in the dynamic test. However, the lack of a passenger airbag disabling switch, as well as a low child restraint system installation score and the absence of three-point belts in all seating positions, limited its overall score.
Haval Jolion: Two-star rating explained
The Haval Jolion fared a little better, with the frontal impact showing good protection to the head, neck and chest. However, knee protection was deemed marginal.
The side movable barrier test showed good protection. However, as with the Kia, the side pole test was not carried out because side head protection airbags are not fitted as standard.
Vehicle safety standards in South Africa have come under intense scrutiny recently, with two popular models being given zero-star ratings by Global NCAP, while the organisation’s latest batch of results show the situation is not much better for compact SUVs.
In the most recent round of Global NCAP crash assessments, released on Wednesday, the Kia Sonet received a dismal one-star rating for adult protection, while the GWM Haval Jolion attained just two stars.
These ratings apply to South African-specification vehicles, which were randomly purchased from local dealers and then crash tested in Germany as part of Global NCAP’s Safer Cars for Africa campaign, run in conjunction with the Automobile Association (AA).
In line with the organisation’s crash testing protocol, the entry-level variants of both vehicles were tested, and in both cases the low safety ratings were attributed to a lack of standard side head protection airbags.
Kia Sonet: One-star rating explained
In the Kia Sonet’s case, the footwell area and bodyshell were deemed to be unstable and not capable of withstanding further loads.
However, it was the poor chest protection offered in the side impact test that sealed the deal for a one-star safety rating. The Kia Sonet is fitted with just two frontal airbags.
In the Child Occupant Protection test, the Kia achieved three stars, with both child dummies receiving full protection in the dynamic test. However, the lack of a passenger airbag disabling switch, as well as a low child restraint system installation score and the absence of three-point belts in all seating positions, limited its overall score.
Haval Jolion: Two-star rating explained
The Haval Jolion fared a little better, with the frontal impact showing good protection to the head, neck and chest. However, knee protection was deemed marginal.
The side movable barrier test showed good protection. However, as with the Kia, the side pole test was not carried out because side head protection airbags are not fitted as standard.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Global NCAP says Sonet and Jolion ‘fall short’ on safety
Global NCAP has released crash-test results for SA-spec entry-level versions of the Kia Sonet and Haval Jolion, saying these popular models have “fallen short” on safety…
- Sonet handed 1 star while Jolion manages 2 stars
- Results “driven largely” by lack of curtain airbags
- Both automakers respond to Global NCAP results
Global NCAP says its recently released crash-test results for the entry-level versions of the Kia Sonet and the GWM Haval Jolion sold in South Africa show that these popular crossovers “fall short” on safety.
In collaboration with the Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa, the organisation handed the Indian-built Sonet just 1 star for adult-occupant protection and the Chinese-made Jolion only 2 stars in the same category. Both models were awarded 3 stars for child-occupant protection.
Global NCAP typically tests entry-level derivatives – in this case, the Sonet LS (with 2 airbags) and the Jolion City (with 4 airbags), each of which features electronic stability control as standard. The AA said both “demonstrated serious gaps in the safety protection offered to occupants, driven largely by a lack of standard side head-protection airbags [curtain airbags]”.
According to the crash-test report for the Sonet, this model’s footwell area and bodyshell “were unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings”. In the side-impact test, “poor chest protection limited the adult protection rating to 1 star, while abdomen protection was rated as adequate”.
chest” in the frontal impact, though knee protection “was marginal”. The side movable-barrier test showed “good protection”, while (as with the Sonet) the side pole test was not conducted because side head-protection airbags were not fitted as standard.
Global NCAP has released crash-test results for SA-spec entry-level versions of the Kia Sonet and Haval Jolion, saying these popular models have “fallen short” on safety…
- Sonet handed 1 star while Jolion manages 2 stars
- Results “driven largely” by lack of curtain airbags
- Both automakers respond to Global NCAP results
Global NCAP says its recently released crash-test results for the entry-level versions of the Kia Sonet and the GWM Haval Jolion sold in South Africa show that these popular crossovers “fall short” on safety.
In collaboration with the Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa, the organisation handed the Indian-built Sonet just 1 star for adult-occupant protection and the Chinese-made Jolion only 2 stars in the same category. Both models were awarded 3 stars for child-occupant protection.
Global NCAP typically tests entry-level derivatives – in this case, the Sonet LS (with 2 airbags) and the Jolion City (with 4 airbags), each of which features electronic stability control as standard. The AA said both “demonstrated serious gaps in the safety protection offered to occupants, driven largely by a lack of standard side head-protection airbags [curtain airbags]”.
According to the crash-test report for the Sonet, this model’s footwell area and bodyshell “were unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings”. In the side-impact test, “poor chest protection limited the adult protection rating to 1 star, while abdomen protection was rated as adequate”.
chest” in the frontal impact, though knee protection “was marginal”. The side movable-barrier test showed “good protection”, while (as with the Sonet) the side pole test was not conducted because side head-protection airbags were not fitted as standard.