Kia is all set to unveil the Sonet Facelift on December 14th while Mahindra is still testing the XUV300 Facelift. So, we thought why don’t we help you make this decision by putting both the facelift SUV against each other and help you make a decision.
The Kia Sonet Facelift from the outside new tri-cube LED headlamps which are similar to the current Seltos, and a big L-shaped LED DRLs that frames the headlamp units. The front grille seems to be slightly thinner and wider. The front bumper has been replaced with a new bumper that houses LED Fog lamps mounted horizontally. The side profile remains the same except it’ll get new alloy wheel design, and on top a non-functional roof rails. The rear will feature connected L-shape LED taillamps which are similar to the Seltos.
As seen in the spy shots, the upcoming XUV300 Facelift will undergo big exterior changes over the outgoing version. It’ll feature huge new C-Shape LED DRLs that were seen on the concept BE.05 electric SUV, and the DRLs over on the headlamp as frame, closed front grille, new bumpers, bonnet, and new set of alloy wheels. The side profile will remain the same, and will have non-functional roof rails, and body-coloured door handles. The rear will feature new LED taillamps and a LED light bar for a connected light sequence.
Jumping to the inside, we the Sonet Facelift will feature an updated 10.25-inch infotainment system, and a new digital instrument cluster which is the same as the Seltos. Below the infotainment system is a digital screen which give details of the climate control along with the controls for the HVAC. The front seats comes with ventilated seats, and the driver side will get electrically adjustable seats, and among the dashboard 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.
The XUV300 Facelift on the other hand, is going to get a new free-standing 10.25-inch infotainment system above the sleeker AC vents and redesigned dashboard, and below the AC vents is the round dial to control the infotainment system or HVAC. It gets new digital instrument cluster which could be the same as the Scorpio-N, and in front of it is the new 4-spoke steering wheel borrowed from the XUV700. It’ll have a first-in segment panoramic Sunroof, and likely powered driver seat. The centre console will undergo some revisions. Moving to the rears, 60:40 split are the seats, and it’ll continue to get the standard 6 Speaker Sound System.
| Dimensions | Kia Sonet Facelift | Mahindra XUV300 Facelift |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3995 MM | 3995 MM |
| Width | 1790 MM | 1821 MM |
| Height | 1642 MM | 1627 MM |
| Wheelbase | 2500 MM | 2600 MM |
| Ground Clearance | 205 MM | 180 MM |
| Boot Space | 392 L | 257 L |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 45 L | 42 L |
In Dimensions, the Kia Sonet Facelift measures 3995 MM in length which is the same as the XUV300 Facelift. The Sonet Facelift has a width of 1790 MM, height of 1642 MM, and wheelbase of 2500 MM where as the XUV300 on the other hand has a width of 1821 MM which is wider by 31 MM, height is shorter by 15 MM, and wheelbase of 2600 MM which is longer by 100 MM. The Sonet features ground clearance of 205 MM, boot space of 392 L, and fuel tank capacity of 45 L where as the XUV300 features 180 MM ground clearance which is lower by 25 MM, boot space of 257 L which is smaller by 135 L, and fuel tank is 42 L that is 3 L smaller.
| Turbo Petrol | Kia Sonet Facelift | Mahindra XUV300 Facelift |
|---|---|---|
| Engines | 1.0 L 3-Cylinder Turbo Petrol | 1.2 L 3 Cylinder |
| Displacement | 998cc | 1197cc |
| Power | 118.36 BHP | 108.62 BHP / 128.73 BHP |
| Torque | 172 NM | 200 NM / 230 NM |
| Transmission Type | 6-speed iMT, 7-speed DCT | 6 Speed MT & AMT |
Both the SUVs comes with a turbo petrol powertrain. The Kia Sonet facelift comes with 1.0 L 3-Cylinder Turbo Petrol Engine producing 118.36 BHP and 172 NM of torque paired to 6-speed iMT, and 7-speed DCT Gearbox. The Mahindra XUV300 on the other hand comes with a 1.2 L 3 Cylinder Turbo Petrol producing 108.62 BHP and 200 NM of torque for non-turbo trims, and 128.73 BHP and 230 NM of torque for turbo trims mated to 6 Speed Manual and Automatic Gearbox.
| Petrol | Kia Sonet Facelift | Mahindra XUV300 Facelift |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.2 L 4-Cylinder NA petrol | – |
| Displacement | 1197cc | – |
| Power | 81.8 BHP | – |
| Torque | 115 NM | – |
| Transmission Options | 5-speed MT | – |
| Fuel Efficiency | 18.4 kmpl | – |
The Kia Sonet Facelift comes with a non-turbo petrol powertrain as well which the XUV300 misses. The 1.2 L 4 Cylinder petrol engine that puts out 81.86 BHP and 115 NM of torque. It drives the front wheels via a 5-speed Manual Gearbox only with a fuel efficiency of 18.4 kmpl.
| Diesel | Kia Sonet Facelift | Mahindra XUV300 Facelift |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5 L 4 Cylinder | 1.5 L 4 Cylinder |
| Displacement | 1493cc | 1497cc |
| Power | 114.41 BHP | 115.05 bhp |
| Torque | 250 NM | 300 Nm |
| Transmission Type | 6 Speed MT / AT | 6 Speed MT / AMT |
| Fuel Efficiency | 24.10 KMPL – MT 19 KMPL – AT | 20.1 kmpl – MT 19.5 kmpl – AMT |
Both the SUVs get a diesel powertrain as well. The Kia Sonet is powered by the 1.5 L 4 Cylinder Diesel which generates 114.41 BHP and 250 NM of torque mated to 6 Speed Manual with 24.10 KMPL mileage, and 6 Speed Automatic with 19 KMPL mileage. The Mahindra XUV300 gets the 1.5 L 4 Cylinder diesel engine puts out 115.05 bhp and 300 Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed Manual and 6-speed Automatic Gearbox. The Manual has a fuel efficiency of 20.1 KMPL and the automatic has a fuel efficiency of 19.5 KMPL.
| Features | Kia Sonet Facelift | Mahindra XUV300 Facelift |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamps | LED | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED | LED |
| Wheel Size & Type | 16-inch alloy wheels | 16-inch alloy wheels |
| Sunroof | Single-Pane | Panoramic |
| Auto Power Window | Yes | Yes |
| Seat upholstery | Leather | Leather |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Light | Yes | – |
| AC | Auto | 2-zone |
| Rear AC vents | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated Seats | Yes | Yes |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital | Digital |
| Infotainment System | 10.25-inch | 10.25-inch |
| Android Auto, Apple CarPlay | Wired – Top Trims Wireless – Low to Mid Trims | Wireless |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Air Purifier | Yes | – |
| Sound System | 7-speaker Bose Premium Sound System | 6-speaker standard sound system |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-dimming IRVM | Yes | Yes |
| Paddle Shifters | Yes | Yes |
| Drive Modes | Yes | – |
The XUV300 Facelift misses out on Drive Modes, Air Purifier, and ambient light, while the Sonet Facelift misses out on 2-zone climate control, and panoramic sunroof.
| Safety Features | Kia Sonet Facelift | Mahindra XUV300 Facelift |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | Six airbags | Six airbags |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | 360 Surround View Camera | 360 Surround View Camera |
| Parking Sensors | Front and Rear | Front and Rear |
| TPMS | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| ESP | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| ADAS | Level 1 | Level 1 |
| Hill Assist | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Descent Control | – | Yes |
| All 4 Disc Brakes | Front Disc | Yes |
| ISOFIX anchorages | Yes | Yes |
The Sonet Facelift misses out on Hill Descent Control.
| Model | Price (ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| Kia Sonet Facelift | Expected Rs. 8 Lakh |
| Mahindra XUV300 Facelift | Expected Rs. 8.50 Lakh |
The Kia Sonet Facelift is expected to start from Rs. 8 Lakhs and the Mahindra XUV300 Facelift on the other hand is expected to start from Rs. 8.50 Lakh.
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 XUV300 warranty period is 3 years/1,00,000 KM and can be extended up to 5 years/1,50,000 KM.
In the end, the decision to buy which facelift SUV depends totally on you. If you look at these comparison stats, both the SUV has some ups and down, one is better than the other in either safety, or performance, or features-wise. While these are not officially confirmed specs, we suggest it’s better to wait for an official confirmation and then make your decision. Till then, we shall wait for an official launch of both these SUVs.