Kia had unveiled the Sonet Facelift few weeks ago, and since then everyone eagerly awaiting its launch in the Indian Market. The Sonet packs tons of new features and tech and so we thought of comparing it against one of its big rival, Tata Nexon to see how Kia plans on competing with its rival.
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.
Moving 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.
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The facelifted Nexon features a closed grille with a black element at the center to separate the two DRLs. The design is clearly Curvv-inspired. The facelift Nexon gets sleeker and thinner L-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). These lights might be reshaped to have a slimmer and more refined appearance. Below the DRLs, there are vertically positioned split LED headlamps. These headlamp units are positioned vertically, and the bumpers have been redesigned, with small rectangular elements that make the Nexon resemble the Curvv SUV.
The side profile remains largely unchanged, except for sleeker ORVMs (Outside Rear-View Mirrors) inspired by the Harrier and Safari. The wheels have also been slightly redesigned, featuring 16-inch alloy wheels. The rear of the Nexon Facelift features X-factor LED taillamps that are connected by a LED light bar for a distinctive design. It gets sequential indicators, C-shaped protrusions, and the reflectors have been positioned towards the edges for a wider SUV appearance.
The Nexon Facelift features a 10.25-inch infotainment system over the thinner and sharper AC vents, and the dashboard comes with dual-tone theme option. The Facelift features a new two-spoke steering wheel with new digital instrument cluster which is the same as the one in current Harrier and Safari, and a single-pane sunroof on top. The two-spoke steering wheel has a rectangular display which illuminates the Tata logo, which is the same as the Curvv SUV. Below the AC vents, there are no physical buttons to control the HVAC, but rather a new touch-sensitive control system for a clean design. There is a huge center console with steptronic gear lever, wireless charging pad behind the rotary dial drive modes, cup holders, and armrest. Moving to the rear, the seats are split in 60:40 ratio, and this SUV comes equipped with 9-speaker JBL Premium Sound System.
| Dimensions | Kia Sonet Facelift | Tata Nexon |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3995 MM | 3995 MM |
| Width | 1790 MM | 1804 MM |
| Height | 1642 MM | 1620 MM |
| Wheelbase | 2500 MM | 2498 MM |
| Ground Clearance | 205 MM | 208 MM |
| Boot Space | 385 L | 382 L |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 45 L | 44 L |
In Dimensions, the Kia Sonet Facelift measures 3995 MM in length which is the same as the Nexon. The Sonet Facelift has a width of 1790 MM, height of 1642 MM, and wheelbase of 2500 MM where as the Nexon on the other hand has a width of 1804 MM which is wider by 14 MM, height is shorter by 22 MM, and wheelbase of 2498 MM which is shorter by just 2 MM. The Sonet features ground clearance of 205 MM, boot space of 392 L, and fuel tank capacity of 45 L where as the Nexon features 208 MM ground clearance which is just higher by 3 MM, boot space of 382 L which is smaller by just 3 L, and fuel tank is 44 L that is just 1 L smaller.
| Turbo Petrol | Kia Sonet Facelift | Tata Nexon |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.0 L 3 Cylinder | 1.2 L 3 Cylinder |
| Displacement | 998cc | 1199cc |
| Power | 118.36 BHP | 118.27 BHP |
| Torque | 172 NM | 170 NM |
| Transmission | 6 Speed IMT . 7 Speed DCT | 5 Speed MT, 6 Speed MT / AMT, 7 Speed DCT |
| Fuel Efficiency | 18.2 KMPL – iMT 18.3 KMPL – DCT | 17.01 KMPL – DCT 17.18 KMPL – AMT 17.44 KMPL – MT |
In Engine Options, both the SUVs are offered turbo petrol powertrains. 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 Tata Nexon comes with 1.2 L 3 Cylinder Turbo Petrol engine that generates 118.27 BHP and 170 NM of torque paired to 4 gearboxes – 5 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Manual and Automatic, and 7 Speed DCT Gearbox.
| Diesel | Kia Sonet Facelift | Tata Nexon |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5 L 4 Cylinder | 1.5 L 4 Cylinder |
| Displacement | 1493cc | 1497cc |
| Power | 113.43 BHP | 113.42 BHP |
| Torque | 250 NM | 260 NM |
| Transmission | 6 Speed MT / AT | 6 Speed MT / AMT |
Other than Turbo Petrol, both the SUVs are offered with Diesel Powertrain. 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. The Tata Nexon on the other hand is powered by the 1.5 L 4 Cylinder Diesel generating 113.42 BHP and 260 NM of torque paired to 6 Speed Manual and Automatic Gearbox.
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| Petrol | Kia Sonet Facelift | Tata Nexon |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.2 L 4 Cylinder | – |
| Displacement | 1197cc | – |
| Power | 81.80 BHP | – |
| Torque | 115 NM | – |
| Transmission | 5 Speed MT | – |
| Fuel Efficiency | 18.4 KMPL | – |
Last but not the least, the Sonet Facelift comes with non-turbo petrol engine but the Tata Nexon doesn’t. 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 with 18.4 KMPL fuel efficiency.
| Features | Kia Sonet Facelift | Tata Nexon |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamps | LED | LED |
| Taillamps | LED | LED |
| Wheel Size & Type | 16-inch alloy wheels | 16-inch alloy wheels |
| Sunroof | Single-Pane | Single-Pane |
| Auto Power Window | Yes | Yes |
| Seat upholstery | Leather | Leather |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Light | Yes | – |
| AC | Auto | Auto |
| 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 | Wireless | Wireless |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Air Purifier | Yes | Yes |
| Sound System | 7-speaker Bose Premium Sound System | 9-Speaker JBL Sound System |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-dimming IRVM | Yes | Yes |
| Paddle Shifters | Yes | Yes |
| Drive Modes | Yes | Yes |
The Nexon misses out on Ambient Light while the Sonet misses out on 9 Speaker Sound System.
| Safety Features | Kia Sonet Facelift | Tata Nexon |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | – |
| Hill Assist | Yes | Yes |
| All 4 Disc Brakes | Yes | Front Disc Only |
| ISOFIX anchorages | Yes | Yes |
The Tata Nexon misses out on ADAS, and Rear Disc Brakes.
| Model | Price (ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| Kia Sonet Facelift | Expected Rs. 8 Lakhs |
| Tata Nexon | Rs. 8.10 – Rs. 15.50 L |
The Tata Nexon is priced from Rs. 8.10 L for the entry-level variant ‘Smart’ and Rs. 15.50 L for the top variant ‘FearlessPR+ S’ 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/Unlimited KM warranty period for the Sonet and can be extended up to 5 years/Unlimited KM and the Tata Motors on the other hand offers 3 years/1,00,000 KM warranty period for Nexon and can be extended for additional 3 year/1,25,000 KM.
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 affordable than the Nexon, plus its got more features than the Nexon. 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 Tata Nexon given its also a great SUV that has tons of features and safety for its occupants, great engine performance, and feels premium as well. So, what are you going to do?
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