Kia Sonet: pros and cons

Kia Philippines has already added the Sonet to its lineup. 

With a relatively affordable starting price of P758,000, the vehicle represents great value for would-be buyers. It is also touted by the South Korean car brand’s local arm as a well-equipped ride with enough amenities to qualify it as a comfy daily driver. 

Considering its great accessibility, many car buyers might have included Sonet on their shortlists. So, to further guide folks who are seriously considering the said model, let us list its strengths and weaknesses. 

Kia Sonet: Pros

Stylish, feature-rich exterior

Despite its diminutive size, the Sonet is brimming with personality thanks to its hyper-modern crossover look. 

Up front, it received the brand’s latest take on its signature “Tiger nose grille,” which is also flanked by a pair of “Star Map Signature” LED multi-reflector headlamps. 

Together, the two aforementioned bits give the subcompact five-seater crossover more road presence. The same goes for its angular lower front bumper and the black plastic claddings on its side. 

More visual appeal can be found on the vehicle’s rear section. Specifically, it gets a pair of rectangular LED taillights linked together with an LED light bar. The trunk itself appears to be devoid of sharp angles, but the lower portion looks chunky to the eyes thanks to its hefty, protruding rear bumper. 

Wrapping up the looks of the Sonet is a set of 16-inch alloy wheels and a subtle-looking tailgate spoiler. 

Where driving convenience is concerned, the Kia model likewise offers LED fog lamps, automatic functionality for its LED headlamps, roof rails, and power-folding and power-adjustable side mirrors, among others. 

Additionally, the appearance of the Kia-made subcompact can be enhanced by a total of four color options. The aforementioned includes Pewter Olive, Vivid Red, Snow White Pearl, and Imperial Blue. 

In addition, the top-spec SX trim can also combine Vivid Red and Snow White Pearl with a black-colored roof. The result is an athletic two-tone look that is sure to turn heads. 

Rich in tech

White the Sonet is, indeed, a handsome-looking subcompact; it is also quite rich when it comes to onboard technologies. 

Its infotainment system, for starters, is a relatively large 10.25-inch digital display. The said screen is linked to a six-piece speaker set, and it can also handle hands-free Bluetooth calling and voice commands. 

Connecting to the said screen is done seamlessly via wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The aforementioned can also work well with the vehicle’s wireless smartphone charging pad to ensure a truly cable-free experience. Folks who prefer the wired life, however, can still use USB ports spread around the interior of the vehicle. 

In addition to its highly capable infotainment system, the Sonet also has a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS). Some notable features belonging to the said suite include lane keeping assist, lane following assist, forward collision avoidance assist, high beam assist, and driver attention warning, among others. 

The said ADAS kit works in tandem with a series of standard safety features, which includes anti-lock braking, dual front airbags, hill-start assist, an engine immobilizer, ISOFIX child seat anchors, parking distance warning, and a rear parking camera. 

Lots of amenities

While it is compact, the Sonet offers plenty of creature comforts. For starters, it gets leather upholstery, a 60:40 split-folding rear seat, and a lot of soft-touch points on the dashboard and door cards. 

Keeping everyone inside the vehicle cool, meanwhile, is a single-zone automatic air-conditioning system, which also features rear vents. The driver, meanwhile, has access to a tilt-adjustable multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel, a push-to-start button, and a 10.25-inch multi-function display. 

Other notable creature comforts of the Sonet include a day and night rearview mirror, central-locking doors, remote engine starting, seat-back pockets, and a smart entry system. 

Peppy for its size

Propelling the crossover is a 1.5-liter inline-4 engine capable of producing up to 113 horsepower and 144 Newton-meters of torque. Considering the vehicle’s size, the said output is more than enough to give it an athletic, sprightly driving feel. 

Additionally, the lively four-banger of the Sonet is paired with Kia’s intelligent variable transmission (IVT). It smoothly sends power to the vehicle’s front wheels, and it can likewise be manipulated manually through the gear-shift lever. 

Per Zigwheels Philippines’ media drive experience with the small Kia crossover,  the aforementioned IVT is quite responsive and does a great job at simulating actual gears. 

In addition, the vehicle’s McPherson strut front suspension and its coupled torsion beam rear axle were also great at keeping it stable on sharp corners and curves. 

Kia Sonet: Cons

Rear seats can be tight

The only downside of the Kia Sonet is its rear seats. 

Mind you, two full-size adults can comfortably fit inside the vehicle’s rear cabin, but trying to cram in three adults might be pushing it. Otherwise, the rear seats offer ample headroom and elbow room, at least for two occupants. Legroom, however, can be tight for taller folks. 

Price

In the Philippine market, the Kia Sonet is sold in four different variants. The LX, which is available with a manual gearbox or IVT, ranges from P758,000-P888,000. The mid-spec EX is priced at P998,000, while the top-of-the-line SX retails at P1.158 million. 

Also read:

Kia PH says Sonet can help relieve traffic stress

Kia launches all-new Sonet for PH

Subcompact SUV sparring: Kia Sonet vs. Toyota Raize