I revisited my Kia Sonet test drive in Maharashtra yesterday after hearing the 5 lakh sales buzz. The hype felt overblown at first, but the drive revealed why this sub-4m SUV dominates—stick around for the real story.
The Disappointment
Pulling into the Kia showroom in Aurangabad, the Sonet’s bold tiger-nose grille and LED lights looked flashy, but up close, it screams “mass-market SUV” in a sea of rivals like Venue and XUV 3XO. Launched in 2020, it hit 5 lakh units by Jan 2026, yet accounts for 35% of Kia’s sales amid cutthroat competition—feels like luck over revolution. Engines: 1.2L NA petrol (83 PS), 1.0L turbo petrol (120 PS), 1.5L diesel (116 PS)—decent, but NA lacks zing for highways, turbo DCT lags in manuals vs autos. Interior packs 10.25-inch screens dual setup, ventilated seats, but plastics feel cheap in base HTK; boot 385L good, but rivals offer more. Safety: 6 airbags, ESC, TPMS standard now, but early models skimped—post-facelift Level 2 ADAS shines, yet pricey top-spec only. Ex-showroom ₹7.99-15.77 lakh, on-road Mumbai ₹9.5-18.7 lakh—value? Questionable vs cheaper Venue at ₹7.94 lakh start. Exports 1 lakh to 70 markets help, but domestic grind shows in waiting lists up to 6 months. Annual sales topped 1 lakh twice, impressive but Hyundai Venue leads segment at 4.5 lakh cumulative.
The Surprising Truth
Hit Aurangabad-Jalna highway, and Sonet’s turbo petrol (120 PS/172 Nm) woke up—DCT shifts crisp at 0-100kmph in 10s, handling grippy with 190mm ground clearance conquering ghat bumps effortlessly. Diesel’s 116 PS torque (250 Nm) tows light loads smoothly, mileage 18-24 kmpl real-world crushes NA rivals. Cabin tech wowed: Bose audio, wireless charging, sunroof—feels premium for price; connected car app tracks remotely like a boss. Facelifts added relevance—2024 update brought ADAS, bigger screens, keeping it fresh vs aging Venue. Vs rivals: Sonet outsells Kushaq (premium but thirsty), edges XUV3XO in features; Kia service network expanded to 1000+ touchpoints. My 80km loop averaged 19 kmpl turbo, ride plush over potholes—explains 5 lakh trust, per CSO Sunhack Park’s nod to design-tech mix. Packaging aces it: rear AC vents, USB-C ports beat cramped Brezza. Not flawless—third-row no-go, but B-SUV perfection for young buyers.
India-Specific Impact
Sonet’s 5 lakh milestone cements B-SUV throne in India, 35% Kia volumes from Tier-2s like Aurangabad where on-road starts ₹9.2 lakh HTK petrol MT (ex ₹7.99 +10% RTO). Mumbai on-road ₹9.5-18.7 lakh, Delhi ₹9.3-18.2 lakh (lower taxes); Aurangabad cheaper at ₹9.2-18.3 lakh vs Pune’s ₹9.4-18.5. Diesel popular in highways-heavy Maharashtra, turbo-petrol for cities. Variants table:
Vs Venue (₹7.94-13.48 lakh ex): Sonet wins tech/safety, trails mileage slightly; outsold Nexon diesel in 2025 Q4. Exports boost Anantapur plant; waiting 2-4 months, book online via Kia India. Urban Maharashtra loves it—35% sales from metros/Tier-2s.
Rushi’s Verdict
Drove Sonet post-milestone expecting fad, found enduring appeal in punchy engines, loaded tech, bold looks—5 lakh sales earned, not gifted. Buy turbo variant; skip if diesel hater—beats rivals for fun-factor. Test it; joins Seltos legacy.
FAQ
Kia Sonet 5 lakh sales when?
Crossed Jan 2026, since 2020 launch; 35% Kia India sales.
Sonet price India?
₹7.99-15.77 lakh ex; on-road ₹9.2-18.7 lakh city-wise.
Sonet engines mileage?
1.2P/1.0TP/1.5D; 18-24 kmpl petrol, diesel better.
Sonet vs Venue/Nexon?
Sonet leads features/exports; Venue cheaper, Nexon rugged—pick style-tech.
Your Sonet story? Driven the 5L champ?
