When the Kia Sonet first arrived, it immediately disrupted the sub-compact SUV segment with its aggressive ‘Tiger Nose’ design, feature-rich cabin, and class-leading powertrain options. Now, in 2025, the heavily revised Kia Sonet facelift continues that tradition, but with a critical difference: it has moved beyond mere features to integrate serious, high-end technology and safety, setting an almost unattainable standard for its rivals.
The 2025 Sonet is more than just a cosmetic refresh; it is a declaration of intent. Kia has thrown the kitchen sink at its compact offering, introducing Level 1 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), a comprehensive 6-airbag safety package as standard, and a thoroughly modernized, premium interior.
This 1500-word review takes a deep dive into the elements that define the new Sonet. We scrutinize the three distinct engine options, analyze its performance in city and highway conditions, and assess whether its combination of style, technology, and robust safety justifies its position at the premium end of the fiercely competitive compact SUV class.
Price and Variant Structure: A Wide Spectrum of Choice
The Kia Sonet is offered across three distinct style lines—HT Line (Tech Line), GT Line, and the top-tier X Line—catered to different budgets and feature requirements.
A. Ex-Showroom Price Range (India, Late 2025 Approx.)
| Variant Line | Engine and Transmission Focus | Key Price Range (Ex-Showroom) |
| HT Line (Base to Mid) | 1.2 L NA Petrol MT, 1.0 L Turbo Petrol iMT, 1.5 L Diesel MT | ₹7.30 Lakh−₹12.03 Lakh |
| GT Line | 1.0 L Turbo DCT, 1.5 L Diesel AT | ₹12.80 Lakh−₹14.00 Lakh |
| X Line (Top-Spec) | 1.0 L Turbo DCT, 1.5 L Diesel AT | ₹14.75 Lakh−₹15.77 Lakh |
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The pricing structure is strategically complex, allowing budget buyers entry with the 1.2 L NA Petrol and offering a fully loaded package that pushes into the mid-size SUV territory at the top end.
Engine, Performance, and Transmission Mastery
Kia offers the Sonet with an industry-best combination of three engines and four transmission options, ensuring optimal performance regardless of the driver’s priority.
A. Powertrain Summary
| Engine Type | Displacement | Max Power | Max Torque | Transmission Options | ARAI Mileage (Best) |
| 1.2 L NA Petrol | 1197 cc | 83 hp | 115 Nm | 5-speed MT | 18.4 kmpl |
| 1.0 L Turbo Petrol (TGDi) | 998 cc | 120 hp | 172 Nm | 6-speed iMT / 7-speed DCT | 18.6 kmpl |
| 1.5 L Turbo Diesel | 1493 cc | 116 hp | 250 Nm | 6-speed MT / 6-speed TC AT | 24.1 kmpl |
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B. Real Driving Performance
- 1.0 L Turbo Petrol DCT: This is the enthusiast’s choice. The engine is refined and punchy, and the 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) is quick and smooth, particularly in Sport mode (which is further enhanced by Paddle Shifters). The real-world city mileage is around 12 to13 kmpl, rising to 16 to17 kmpl on the highway, making it a powerful yet reasonably efficient urban sprinter.
- 1.5 L Turbo Diesel Automatic (TC): The Diesel AT is arguably the star of the show. It produces segment-leading 250 Nm of torque and comes paired with a highly reliable 6-speed Torque Converter (TC) Automatic. This combination offers effortless city drivability and phenomenal highway cruising ability. It is also exceptionally fuel efficient, returning real-world highway mileage that often exceeds 20 kmpl and city figures around 15 to17 kmpl.
- Ride and Handling: The Sonet is tuned slightly on the firmer side, which translates to excellent high-speed stability and minimal body roll on the highway. While the suspension handles city potholes adequately, some competitors offer a slightly softer, more comfortable ride at low speeds. The steering is light and responsive in the city, adding to its nimble character.
Safety and ADAS: Setting the New Benchmark
Safety is where the 2025 Sonet truly distinguishes itself, addressing past concerns with a comprehensive, segment-defining approach.
A. Passive Safety: 6 Airbags Standard
In a groundbreaking move for the segment, the Kia Sonet now offers 6 Airbags (Dual Front, Side, and Curtain) as standard equipment across all variants, a feature previously restricted to top trims. This commitment, coupled with the standard fitment of ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Assist Control (HAC), and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), ensures a robust passive safety net.
- NCAP Rating: While the Sonet has not yet received an official Bharat NCAP (BNCAP) or Global NCAP rating for the facelifted model, the inclusion of six standard airbags and structural reinforcements (as assumed from the facelift scope) positions it to aim for a much stronger score than previous Kia models.
B. Active Safety: Level 1 ADAS
The introduction of Level 1 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) is the Sonet’s technological trump card in the compact SUV market. This system uses radar and cameras to offer crucial active safety features in the higher trims:
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA): Warns and assists in braking to avoid or mitigate a front-end collision.
- Lane Keep Assist (LKA): Gently steers the vehicle back into the lane if unintentional drift is detected.
- Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA): Notifies the driver when the vehicle ahead has moved, preventing delays at traffic signals.
- High Beam Assist (HBA): Automatically switches between high and low beams based on oncoming traffic.
This ADAS suite drastically improves driving safety, especially on highways, and adds a major premium feel to the overall package.
Read more : Mahindra XUV 3XO.
Interior, Features, and Connectivity: The Premium Cabin
The interior of the Sonet facelift has been completely redesigned to emphasize sophistication and cutting-edge technology, pushing it beyond segment expectations.
A. Cabin Design and Comfort
The cabin now features a cleaner, more upscale design highlighted by the integration of two large, continuous digital screens.
- Dual 10.25−inch Displays: The 10.25−inch HD Touchscreen Infotainment system is now perfectly mated to a 10.25−inch Full Digital Instrument Cluster, creating a modern, high-tech cockpit.
- Comfort Features: Top trims retain the segment-exclusive Ventilated Front Seats and now offer a 4-Way Power Driver Seat adjustment, significantly enhancing driver comfort on long journeys.
- Audio Experience: The Bose Premium 7-Speaker System remains the best in class, providing an unmatched audio experience.
B. Segment-Best Convenience Features
The Sonet’s feature list is extensive:
- 360∘ Camera with Blind View Monitor (BVM): The 360∘ camera aids parking, and the BVM displays live feed from the side cameras onto the instrument cluster when the indicator is used, enhancing safety during lane changes.
- Kia Connect: Over 70 connected car features, including remote engine start/stop, OTA updates, and Geo−Fencing.
- Practicality: The 385 Litres of boot space is generous for the segment, and the rear sunshade curtains add a touch of privacy and convenience.
Exterior Design and Visual Appeal
The Sonet’s facelift focuses on a bolder, more futuristic aesthetic, evolving from sharp lines to a more connected, wide stance.
The front end is dominated by redesigned Crown Jewel LED Headlamps and the new ‘Star Map’ LED DRLs. The biggest visual change is at the rear, where the Star Map Connected LED Tail Lamps give the Sonet a distinctive and premium road presence, particularly at night. The addition of new bumper designs and sporty 16−inch Crystal Cut Alloy Wheels (or the all-black X−Line alloys) ensures the Sonet maintains its status as the most stylish and attention-grabbing car in its class.
Conclusion: The Undisputed Feature and Safety King
The Kia Sonet (2025 Facelift) is a brilliantly executed product that addresses its few former shortcomings while doubling down on its strengths.
By making 6 Airbags standard and introducing the segment-first Level 1 ADAS, Kia has fundamentally elevated the safety quotient of its popular SUV. Coupled with the best-in-class range of refined engines (especially the punchy Turbo Petrol DCT and the torquey Diesel Automatic), and an interior that is technologically years ahead of most rivals, the Sonet offers an unmatched premium experience.
While its top-end variants are priced higher, the value delivered in terms of safety, features, and powertrain options easily justifies the premium. For the buyer who prioritizes cutting-edge technology, powerful engines, and a truly feature-loaded driving experience in a stylish compact SUV, the Kia Sonet is, without a doubt, the current segment boss.