Comparing Kia Sonet and Kia Seltos: Which One Makes The Cut?
Kia Sonet and Kia Seltos have been climbing the ranks in India's automotive sector in 2020. The former is a sub-4 meter compact SUV that was launched in August 2020 while the latter is an established SUV that was launched in 2019. Both cars guarantee value for money and are currently locking horns to woo the customers. Here is a comparison between the two SUVs that may help potential buyers make an informed decision.
Design: The Kia Sonet is a head-turner with its bold styling. It has a prominent ‘tiger nose’ face with a blacked-out grille and round LED headlights. The Kia Seltos on the other hand has minimalistic design which can be compared with the exterior design of the Hyundai Creta. It has a signature front grille with LED headlamps and LED DRLs, which together give a refreshing look.
Engines: The Sonet has four engines in the market. The 1.2-litre Kappa Dual VTVT petrol and 1.4-litre U2 CRDi diesel are the most popular ones among them. The diesel engine can produce a maximum power of 89.7 bhp and a peak torque of 220 Nm. It is available with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The 1.5-litre petrol engine on the Seltos comes in both manual and automatic options with 115 bhp & 144 Nm.
Features: Kia Sonet is packed with features like 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, 5-inch instrument cluster, automatic climate control, 6 airbags, cruise control, wireless charger and a sunroof. The Seltos gets a 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, an additional 8-inch screen in the centre console, 6 airbags, automatic climate control, cruise control and 360-degree camera.
Safety: Both of these SUVs offer a lot of safety features. The Sonet provides dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, cornering brake control, rear parking sensors and many more. The Seltos offers 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC and hill-start assist control.
Verdict: Both cars are decent options depending on the buyer's budget and personal preferences. The Sonet is an excellent pick for a car with a good design and better features. On the other hand, the Seltos offers slightly more reliable and powerful engines, making it a better choice for those looking for a more performance-oriented car.