sunny.kumar@wemonde.com 
Kia has officially unveiled the Sonet Facelift globally from India, and the SUV in flesh looks absolutely incredible. So, why don’t compare it against one of its rivals, Maruti Fronx, to see just how much better the two are against each other!
Kia Sonet Facelift vs Maruti Fronx: Design
The Kia Sonet Facelift from the outside features new tri-cube LED headlamps which are similar to the current Seltos, and a big curvy L-shaped LED DRLs that frames the headlamp units. The front grille over the older version is slightly thinner and wider with chrome bits on it. The front bumper has been replaced with a new bumper that houses LED Fog lamps mounted horizontally. The side profile is simple with creases, thin wheel arches, new 16-inch alloy wheel design, non-functional roof rails on top, and body coloured finish for the ORVMs. The rear profile features a new spoiler for sporty feeling, new connected LED tail lamps which looks very similar to the Seltos and Carens, and the rear bumper is now a bit chunky.
Jumping to the inside, it has the new and updated 10.25-inch infotainment system, and below is a small tiny digital screen which displays the temperature of the cabin. The AC vents are positioned vertically, and the dashboard has the dual-tone option as well. The SUV gets an all-new 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster which is the same unit as the Seltos, and it displays map directions, ADAS functions, and many more. The front seats comes with ventilated seats with the driver side also getting 4-way power adjustable seat, a single-pane sunroof on top, and among the interiors is the ambient lights. Moving to the rear, the seats are split in 60:40 ratio, the air purifier fitted in the center armrest, and it continues to have the 7 Speaker Bose Premium Sound System.
As for the Fronx, the front is inspired from their own mid-size SUV, Grand Vitara. The Fronx has LED DRLs with tri-rounded LED projector headlamps below the DRLs . The bumpers of the fronx front and rear are finished in faux silver skid plate. Moving to the side, it has body cladding all over the car with 16-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, non-functional roof rails, chrome line on the bottom of the window frame, and the doors open wide enough for people to freely enter inside. Moving to the rear, it has LED taillamps with connecting LED light bar and a little roof spoiler and shark fin antenna on top.
Jumping to the inside, it features free-standing 9-inch infotainment system placed above the AC Vents and at the sides, AC Vents are positioned horizontally. The Fronx has been given the option for the dual-tone dashboard. It has three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with Analog instrument cluster and TFT display, and has no sunroof on offer, unfortunately. It has a two USB-ports at the rear and one at the front. It has fabric seats on offer with rear seats having 60:40 split, and has rear AC. It also has 6-speaker Arkamys sound system.
Kia Sonet Facelift vs Maruti Fronx: Dimensions
| Dimensions | Kia Sonet Facelift | Maruti Fronx |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3995 MM | 3995 MM |
| Width | 1790 MM | 1765 MM |
| Height | 1642 MM | 1550 MM |
| Wheelbase | 2500 MM | 2520 MM |
| Ground Clearance | 205 MM | 190 MM |
| Boot Space | 385 L | 308 L |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 45 L | 37 L – Petrol 55 L – CNG |
In Dimensions, the Kia Sonet Facelift measures 3995 MM in length which is the same as the Fronx. The Sonet Facelift has a width of 1790 MM, height of 1642 MM, and wheelbase of 2500 MM where as the Fronx on the other hand has a width of 1765 MM which is narrower by 25 MM, height is shorter by 92 MM, and wheelbase of 2520 MM which is longer by just 20 MM. The Sonet features ground clearance of 205 MM, boot space of 392 L, and fuel tank capacity of 45 L where as the Fronx features 190 MM ground clearance which is just lower by 15 MM, boot space of 308 L which is smaller by just 77 L, and fuel tank is 37 L that is just 8 L smaller, and the Fronx also comes with CNG fuel option which Sonet doesn’t.
Kia Sonet Facelift vs Maruti Fronx: Engine Options
| Turbo Petrol | Kia Sonet Facelift | Maruti Fronx |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.0 L 3 Cylinder | 1.0 L 3 Cylinder |
| Displacement | 998cc | 998cc |
| Power | 118.36 BHP | 98.69 BHP |
| Torque | 172 NM | 147.6 NM |
| Transmission | 6 Speed IMT . 7 Speed DCT | 5 Speed MT, 6 Speed AT |
| Fuel Efficiency | 18.2 KMPL – iMT 18.3 KMPL – DCT | 21.5 KMPL– MT 20.01 KMPL – AT |
In Engine Options, both the SUVs are offered Turbo Petrol Powertrain. The Kia Sonet Facelift comes with a 1.0 L 3 Cylinder Turbo Petrol engine producing 118.36 BHP, and 172 NM of torque mated to 6 Speed IMT with 18.2 KMPL mileage and 7 Speed DCT Gearbox and 18.3 KMPL mileage. The Fronx on the other hand comes with a 1.0 L 3 Cylinder Turbo Petrol engine producing 98.69 BHP and 147.6 NM of torque mated to 5 Speed Manual Gearbox with 21.5 KMPL and 6 Speed Automatic Gearbox with 20.01 KMPL fuel efficiency.
| Diesel | Kia Sonet Facelift | Maruti Fronx |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5 L 4 Cylinder | – |
| Displacement | 1493cc | – |
| Power | 113.43 BHP | – |
| Torque | 250 NM | – |
| Transmission | 6 Speed MT / AT | – |
The Kia Sonet also comes with a diesel powertrain which Maruti is never going to offer any of its model. The Kia Sonet Facelift is powered by the 1.5 L 4 Cylinder Turbo Diesel producing 113.43 BHP and 250 NM of torque paired to 6 Speed Manual and Automatic Gearbox.
| Petrol | Kia Sonet Facelift | Maruti Fronx |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.2 L 4 Cylinder | 1.2 L 4 Cylinder |
| Displacement | 1197cc | 1197cc |
| Power | 81.80 BHP | 88.50 BHP |
| Torque | 115 NM | 113 NM |
| Transmission | 5 Speed MT | 5 Speed MT / AMT |
Both the SUVs get the a non-turbo petrol powertrain option. The Kia Sonet Facelift comes with the 1.2 L 4 Cylinder Petrol that generates 81.86 BHP and 115 NM of torque paired to 5 Speed Manual Gearbox only. The Fronx is powered by 1.2 L 4 Cylinder Petrol Engine that puts out 88.50 BHP and 113 NM of torque mated to a 5 Speed Manual and 5 Speed Automatic Gearbox. In Manual, the Fronx has 21.79 KMPL fuel efficiency and in Automatic, it has 22.89 KMPL fuel efficiency.
| CNG | Kia Sonet Facelift | Maruti Fronx |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | – | 1.2 L 4 Cylinder |
| Displacement | – | 1197cc |
| Power | – | 76.43 BHP |
| Torque | – | 98.5 NM |
| Transmission Type | – | 5 Speed MT |
| Fuel Efficiency | – | 28.51 KM/KG |
Lastly, the Sonet Facelift doesn’t get a CNG fuel option, but its rival, the Fronx offers the CNG option. The 1.2 L 4 Cylinder CNG engine that produces 76.43 BHP and 98.5 NM of torque paired to 5 Speed Manual Gearbox with 28.51 KM/KG Fuel efficiency.
Kia Sonet Facelift vs Maruti Fronx: Features
| Features | Kia Sonet Facelift | Maruti Fronx |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamps | LED | LED |
| Taillamps | LED | LED |
| Wheel Size & Type | 16-inch alloy wheels | 16-inch alloy wheels |
| Sunroof | Single-Pane | – |
| Auto Power Window | Yes | Yes |
| Seat upholstery | Leather | Fabric |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Light | Yes | – |
| AC | Auto | Auto |
| Rear AC vents | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated Seats | Yes | – |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital | Analog |
| Infotainment System | 10.25-inch | 9-inch |
| Android Auto, Apple CarPlay | Wireless | Wireless |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Air Purifier | Yes | – |
| Sound System | 7-speaker Bose Premium Sound System | 6 Speaker Arkamys Sound System |
| Wireless Charging Pad | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-dimming IRVM | Yes | Yes |
| Paddle Shifters | Yes | Yes |
| Drive Modes | Yes | – |
In Features, the Fronx misses out on Sunroof, Digital Cluster, bigger infotainment system, leather seat upholstery, drive modes, ambient lights, and air purifier.
| Safety Features | Kia Sonet Facelift | Maruti Fronx |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | Six airbags | Six airbags |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | 360 Surround View Camera | 360 Surround View Camera |
| Parking Sensors | Front and Rear | Rear |
| TPMS | Yes | – |
| Auto Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| ESP | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| ADAS | Level 1 | – |
| Hill Assist | Yes | Yes |
| All 4 Disc Brakes | Yes | Front Disc |
| ISOFIX anchorages | Yes | Yes |
In Safety, the Fronx misses out on Tyre-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), ADAS, Front Parking Sensors, and Rear Disc Brakes.
Kia Sonet Facelift vs Maruti Fronx: Price and Warranty
| Model | Price (ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| Kia Sonet Facelift | Expected Rs. 8 Lakhs |
| Maruti Fronx | Rs. 7.46 – Rs. 13.13 L |
The Maruti Fronx starts from Rs. 7.46 Lakh for the base Sigma variant and goes up to Rs. 13.13 lakh for the Alpha Turbo Automatic Variant, where as the new Kia Sonet Facelift is expected to be priced from Rs. 8 Lakh for the base ‘HTE’ trim.
As for the warranty, Kia is offering 3 years/1,00,000 KM warranty period for the Sonet and can be extended up to 5 years/1,00,000 KM and the Fronx has a warranty period of 2 years/40,000 Km that can be extended to 5 years/1,00,000 KM.
Kia Sonet Facelift vs Maruti Fronx: Verdict
In the end, the decision to buy which SUV depends totally on you, however, after seeing the whole unveiling world premiere of the Sonet Facelift, we definitely recommend you to wait for the pricing announcement of the Sonet as the SUV is expected to be slightly pricier than Fronx, but its got way more features than the Fonx. The Sonet has a good engine performance, very fuel efficient, tons of safety features, and good amount of space. However, if you aren’t to willing to wait, then you should go ahead and buy the Maruti Fronx given its also a great SUV that has tons of features and safety for its occupants, great engine performance, and very affordable sub 4 meter SUV So, what are you going to do?
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