The Sonet and Seltos both entered the South African market afresh in 2024, but which is the Kia to choose between two equally impressive options?
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The Kia Sonet and Seltos are two popular models in Kia’s South African line-up, each catering to different segments of the local SUV market. While they both share Kia’s design language and brand ethos, they differ significantly in terms of design, size, interior features, and powertrain options.
Design and Size
The Kia Sonet is the more compact of the two, designed as a small MPV (multipurpose vehicle) that fits perfectly in the A-SUV segment. Its dimensions are modest, with a length of 4 110 mm, a width of 1 790 mm, and a height of 1 610 mm. Despite its compact size, the Sonet boasts a sporty and eye-catching design, enhanced by its recent facelift that includes a new front bumper, an updated version of Kia’s signature ‘tiger nose’ grille, and a revised rear light signature.
Read: Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi LX Auto Review
On the other hand, the Kia Seltos is a larger vehicle positioned in the B-SUV segment. It carries a more mature design approach, aiming to strike a balance between rugged SUV characteristics and urban sophistication. The Seltos has a longer wheelbase and overall length compared to the Sonet, providing more cabin space and a larger boot capacity. This makes the Seltos more suitable for families who need extra space for passengers and cargo. The new Seltos also brings an upgraded exterior design with a more prominent grille, revised lighting elements, and fresh alloy wheel designs.
Interior and Features
When it comes to interiors, both the Sonet and Seltos offer a range of high-quality materials and features, but the Seltos has a slight edge due to its size and positioning in the market.
The Sonet’s interior retains its well-received layout, with high-quality materials and an array of technological features, including two infotainment screen sizes: an 8-inch colour touchscreen and a larger 10.25-inch integrated colour touchscreen on higher trims. The seating options vary from cloth to artificial leather, with higher trims featuring full artificial leather upholstery. Convenience features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and a 10.25-inch TFT LCD ‘Supervision’ instrument cluster are available on higher trims, making it a tech-friendly choice for urban drivers.
The Seltos, in comparison, ups the ante with a more spacious and premium interior. It provides a similar choice of infotainment screens, but the interior space benefits from the vehicle’s larger dimensions. This allows for more legroom and comfort, particularly for rear passengers. The material quality is slightly elevated compared to the Sonet, and the Seltos offers advanced features such as ventilated seats, a larger panoramic sunroof, and a more sophisticated ambient lighting system.
Powertrains
Both the Sonet and Seltos come with a variety of engine options that cater to different driving needs. The Sonet offers a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre MPI engine and a turbocharged 1.0-litre GDi engine. The 1.5 MPI engine delivers 85 kW of power and 144 N.m of torque, while the 1.0 T-GDi engine offers a slightly higher output of 88 kW and 172 N.m of torque. Buyers can choose between a 5-speed manual or CVT for the 1.5-litre engine and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) for the turbocharged engine.
Read: Kia Sonet 1.0T EX DCT Review
The Seltos, however, provides more powerful and diverse engine choices. It retains the familiar 1.5-litre MPI petrol engine (84 kW/144 N.m) but adds an upgraded 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine (118 kW/253 N.m) and a 1.5-litre CRDi diesel engine (85 kW/250 N.m). The diesel option, in particular, provides a strong selling point for those looking for a balance between performance and fuel efficiency. The Seltos engines are mated to various transmission options, including a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed automatic, and a 7-speed DCT, offering a broader spectrum of driving dynamics and control.
Service Plans, Warranties, Pricing
Both the Sonet and Seltos come with Kia’s Unlimited Kilometre/5-year warranty, inclusive of Roadside Assistance. The Sonet comes standard with a 4-year/60 000 km service plan, while the Seltos is offered with a 5-year/90 000 km service plan.
Kia Sonet pricing
- Sonet 1.5 LX Manual – R366 995
- Sonet 1.5 LX CVT – R391 995
- Sonet 1.5 EX CVT – R411 995
- Sonet 1.0 T-GDi EX DCT – R436 995
- Sonet 1.5 EX Plus CVT – R454 995
- Sonet 1.5 SX CVT – R484 995
Kia Seltos pricing
- Seltos 1.5 LX Manual – R467 995
- Seltos 1.5 LX CVT – R492 995
- Seltos 1.5 CRDi LX Auto – R521 995
- Seltos 1.5 EX CVT – R532 995
- Seltos 1.5 CRDi EX Auto – R561 995
- Seltos 1.5 EX Plus CVT – R570 995
- Seltos 1.5 CRDi EX Plus Auto – R599 995
- Seltos 1.5 T-GDi GT-Line DCT – R626 995
Verdict: Which Kia for you?
Deciding between the Kia Sonet and Seltos ultimately comes down to the buyer’s priorities and needs. The Sonet is a great option for those who are looking for a compact, stylish, and well-equipped SUV that is perfect for city driving and occasional longer trips. However, if space, versatility, and a more powerful set of engines are higher on your list of priorities, then the Seltos emerges as the better option.
While both models offer good value, the Kia Seltos gets the nod with its superior space, engine variety, and a more refined interior. But if you’re on a tighter budget and don’t need the extra space, the Sonet remains an attractive option in its segment.
