Kia Sonet Long Term Review, March 2025 Report

Our long-term Kia Sonet is going back home. While Shivank used the Sonet in the first month, he was forced to part ways with it because he wasn’t really taking full benefit of the frugal nature of its diesel engine. Considering my daily commute is 26km (one-way), a diesel – or Sonet in this case – would make more sense for someone like me. So, naturally, for the past two months I have been using it in the name of road testing. All I can say is, I am more-than-satisfied with its efficiency, and even performance.

As already mentioned, the Sonet’s diesel engine’s efficiency is its main USP. In daily driving, I was easily averaging close to 13km/l. That’s quite impressive given most of my commute is spent sitting idle in chock-a-block traffic. And don’t forget this is the automatic version we’re talking about. Speaking of the AT transmission, I love the convenience it brings, especially in stop-go traffic. It makes driving, or even getting stuck in traffic, a relaxing affair. And when you’re listening to your favourite songs on the Sonet’s impeccable Bose audio, life’s good indeed.

So, is there anything I didn’t like? There are a couple of things, actually. The clatter from the diesel engine is quite loud during cold starts, and it’s something you can hear even when you’re playing loud music. The suspension is stiff, and this along with all the rattles from the parcel tray and other panels, make driving over bad or broken roads quite an annoying affair. Also, one thing that I have noticed lately is that the throttle response can be jerky in traffic, especially in Normal and Sport modes. It’s surprisingly smooth in Eco mode, though. Lastly, the space. You must have already read about it in our Sonet vs Syros comparison, but the Sonet’s rear bench is quite cramped and when I adjust the driving seat for my 6ft frame, there’s hardly any legroom left for the passenger directly behind.

Overall, the Sonet has its pros and cons. And after living with it, I have realized that it’s a perfect daily runabout because of its size, efficiency, driving experience, and the creature comforts it comes packed with. Its tight rear bench and firm ride can be a deal breaker for some, but if these aren’t your primary requirements, you won’t regret buying and living with the Sonet.