Soon after spending a couple of months with the Kia Syros, it was time for a change in the garage and the Kia Sonet iMT took its place. Having experienced the Syros extensively, stepping into the Sonet immediately highlighted some key differences between the two cars.
At first, the Syros certainly felt like the more premium offering. It had a more spacious cabin and boot, better quality plastics, larger screens and a smoother driving experience thanks to the DCT gearbox which is particularly convenient in city traffic. The Sonet, however, quickly made its case in other areas.
The Sonet iMT HTK (O) is priced at Rs. 10.20 lakh (on-road, Mumbai), which makes it a compelling package in the compact SUV space. Compared to the top-end petrol DCT variant of the Syros that we had earlier, the Sonet is roughly Rs. 7.5 lakh cheaper, which is a significant difference.
Despite the price gap, the Sonet comes with the same 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 120 PS and 172 Nm of torque. This ensures that performance remains strong and the car never feels underpowered in daily driving conditions. For buyers looking for a stylish compact SUV with a good balance of features and performance, the Sonet makes a convincing case from a pricing standpoint alone.
One of the highlights of this variant is the iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission). It is essentially a clutchless manual gearbox where the driver still shifts gears but the car handles clutch operation automatically. Getting used to the system doesn’t take long. For someone upgrading from a traditional manual car, the transition is quite easy and convenient since the left foot is completely free while you still retain control over gear shifts.
The iMT variant is also around Rs. 1 lakh cheaper than the equivalent DCT version, which adds to its appeal for buyers who want some level of convenience without paying the premium for a full automatic. However, drivers who are accustomed to fully automatic cars might initially find the iMT slightly busy since you still need to shift gears manually.
The trick to smoother shifts is simple. Ease off the throttle slightly while changing gears. Doing this eliminates the slight head nod that can occur during shifts. Initially, coming from a regular manual, it does feel a bit unusual to move the gear lever without pressing a clutch. But after a short adjustment period, the process becomes second nature and the system works seamlessly in everyday driving.
The 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine remains one of the highlights of the Sonet. It delivers adequate performance for both city commutes and highway runs. The engine feels responsive and the torque output ensures that overtakes and quick accelerations are handled without much effort. At no point did the car feel underpowered.
One aspect where the Sonet impressed more than the Syros was ride quality. The suspension setup feels more stable and composed on bad roads. Over rough patches and uneven surfaces, the Sonet maintains its composure better and the rear end feels more settled compared to the bouncy behaviour experienced in the Syros. Handling is predictable and the car feels confident while manoeuvring through city traffic or tackling highway curves. Overall dynamics remain consistent and reassuring.
Fuel efficiency during the long-term usage was quite respectable. In city driving conditions the Sonet returned around 13 km/l, while highway cruising on smooth expressways resulted in an efficiency of roughly 18 km/l. For a turbo petrol engine paired with an iMT gearbox, these figures are fairly reasonable and make the Sonet a practical option for daily use.
Even though this isn’t the top variant, the HTK (O) trim comes with a good set of features that make the ownership experience comfortable. The car offers an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear parking camera, electric sunroof, auto headlamps, rear window sunshade, TPMS, 6 airbags and 385 litres of boot space. These features ensure that the Sonet doesn’t feel barebones and offers enough convenience for daily driving.
After living with the Kia Sonet iMT for a couple of months, it proved to be an easy car to live with. It offers a good balance of performance, features and practicality while maintaining competitive pricing. The iMT gearbox adds an interesting twist to the driving experience and works well for those who want the involvement of a manual without dealing with a clutch. While the Syros may feel more premium overall, the Sonet counters with better ride quality, more appealing design to the masses and a much more accessible price tag, making it a sensible option in the compact SUV segment.
