Comparison: Kia Syros vs. Kia Sonet

The sub-4-metre SUV segment is one of the most fiercely competitive segments in the entire automobile market. This is the space where aspirations meet reality, with thousands of consumers fulfilling their dreams of bringing home an SUV without burning a huge hole in their pockets. Despite the segment being flooded with several options to pick from, there are a few names that have truly stood the test of time. One such name is the Kia Sonet, which has been in the game since 2020, giving consumers a taste of a premium experience and exciting driving dynamics. However, despite its success, people have always wanted more from the Sonet, and that is exactly what the Syros offers. Playing in the same price bracket as the Sonet, the recently launched Kia Syros offers the best of what Kia has, on board a more spacious and feature-loaded package. While the launch of the Syros itself has truly added diversity to Kia’s portfolio in India, its close rivalry with one of its own has had us all wondering how both SUVs would do when pitched against one another. Well, this is what we will find out in this head-on comparison between the Kia Syros and the Kia Sonet. 

Kia Syros vs Kia Sonet: Dimensions

When it comes to dimensions, the head-on comparison above makes it evident that despite both SUVs sharing the same segment, there is still a considerable difference between the two. Talking about the Kia Syros, the SUV comes with a modern design language that blends boxy SUV elements with contemporary touches. The overall look of the Syros reflects a certain grandeur with an assertive road presence. Inclusions such as Kia’s signature tiger grille, ice-cube LED headlamps, and new age crystal-cut alloy wheels give the Syros an interesting edge that makes it look unique and creative. When compared with the Sonet, the Syros shines, with a stance that’s 15 mm wider and 38 mm higher, with an additional 50 mm of wheelbase on offer. The extra wheelbase gives the Syros a slightly more spacious cabin with a substantially larger boot of up to 465 litres, which makes the SUV far more practical, especially for long journeys.

Coming to the Kia Sonet, the SUV also offers a sporty and aggressive look that truly works wonders for Kia, especially when compared to other sub-4-metre rivals. The Sonet’s bold look and assertive stance make the Sonet look incredibly alluring. Despite being narrower and shorter than the Syros, the Sonet offers a more proportional stance with higher ground clearance. Other than that, the Sonet offers ample boot space of 385 litres, which is enough for all your luggage needs, but not as large as what the Syros offers.

However, one major point to consider here is the fact that the Kia Syros is based on Kia’s K1 platform and shares its underpinnings with the Hyundai Grand i10 and Exter, while the Sonet is based on the more advanced K2 platform, sharing its underpinnings with the Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, etc.

Overall, when compared head-on, both SUVs offer a modern look that is both sporty and muscular. While the final choice is rather subjective, in terms of on-paper dimensions, the Syros takes the lead with a wider stance, longer wheelbase and larger boot.

Overall winner: Syros for its overall practicality, and Sonet for its more advanced platform.

Kia Syros vs. Kia Sonet: Engine and Transmission

One look at the engine comparison above and you’ll realise that despite sharing a lot, both SUVs are different in terms of what they offer. While the Syros comes with a sole 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine on offer, the Sonet, on the other hand, offers a bigger 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine in addition to the same turbocharged engine that the Syros offers as well.

Coming to the Turbocharged engine, both the Syros as well the Sonet offer the same 1.0-litre 3 cylinder unit that produces a punch of power and ample torque to deliver exhilarating driving dynamics and an exciting driving experience, especially with the 7-speed DCT automatic. The manual transmission on offer is where all the difference lies, with the Syros offering the old-school 6-speed manual, while the Sonet comes with a 6-speed iMT that makes driving far more comfortable. 

Coming to the Sonet’s 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine, the well-refined unit delivers balanced performance and stable driving dynamics with a sole 5-speed manual on offer. Despite offering lesser power and torque figures, the naturally aspirated engine of the Sonet seems a better pick, especially for city drives with steady power buildup and better linear performance.

Overall, when considering the petrol versions of both SUVS, for those considering the Turbocharged engine, despite both SUVs sharing the same engine, the Sonet still seems to be a better pick thanks to the advantage of having an iMT onboard for a more comfortable drive. For those preferring a Naturally Aspirated engine, the Sonet again is a straight-up winner. 

Overall Winner: Kia Sonet for its Comfort and Diversity

The Diesel face-off between the two is nothing but a copy-paste act, with both SUVs offering the same 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine with identical transmission options onboard. The only difference between the two is in terms of the mileage offered, where the Sonet shines thanks to its lighter weight.

Therefore, when it comes to the Diesel engine, both SUVs are identical in almost every aspect other than the mileage, where the Sonet takes a slight edge, offering better figures of up to 24.1 km/l for the Manual and 19 km/l for the automatic. While the difference may not be huge, but money saved is indeed money earned.

Overall Winner: Kia Sonet for its slightly better mileage.

Kia Syros vs. Kia Sonet: Features and Comfort

One look at the comparison above and one would realise that both the SUVs come with a variety of onboard comfort features and technology that is truly top-notch. However, when pitched head-on, the Kia Syros, being the latest offering, comes with a few additional features that the Kia Sonet seems to miss out on. 

These include features such as: 

• Dual-Pane Panoramic sunroof
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• 5-inch Touch Control Panel for AC
• LEVEL-2 ADAS 
• Rear Ventilated Seat
• Segment First Rear Reclining and Sliding Seats

Overall, the feature game is where both SUVs truly lock horns, with the Syros taking the lead with its large panoramic sunroof, LEVEL-2 ADAS, dual-zone climate control, etc. Other than that, all premium features are duly offered onboard the Sonet as well.

Overall Winner: Syros

Kia Syros vs. Kia Sonet: Safety Features

When it comes to safety, while there is no doubt that both the Kia Sonet as well as the Kia Syros are class apart, however, it is the Kia Syros that shines once again, with a more advanced Level-2 Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) suit, which offer additional safety features such as:

• Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go
• Forward Collision Warning for Junction Turning and Direct Oncoming
• Side Parking Sensors
• Parking Collision Avoidance Assistance
• Reverse Assistance
• 4 Front and Rear Parking Sensors

But with that said, the Kia Sonet is no less, with almost all safety features onboard, including ADAS, which, however, is Level-1 as compared to the Syros’s Level-2 ADAS.

Thus, when compared head-on, the all-new Kia Syros seems a bit better thanks to the latest and greatest Level-2 ADAS on board.

Kia Syros vs Kia Sonet: Price Comparison

When it comes to the price comparison, the Kia Syros comes with a six-trim lineup that includes HTK, HTK(O), HTK+, HTX, HTX+ and HTX(O). The trims are spread across 13 variants. On the other hand, Kia Sonet’s variant lineup is spread across eight trims, including the HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK(O), HTK(O)+, HTX, GTX+ and X Line, which are also spread across 18 variants.

With both SUVs playing in the same price segment, the Syros truly takes on its compact SUV sibling, eating away at its sales in many aspects. In terms of overall value, the Syros does offer better value for the money you will spend at each variant spectrum. That is because the Syros is a better loaded package across the trim lineup. 

In terms of overall value, the base trim is where the extra 1 lakh you put on the Syros will get you a 12.3-inch touch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, in addition to remote key and auto light control, etc. Coming to the mid trims, the extra 1.75 to 2.26 Lakh spent will get you additional features such as 16-inch crystal cut alloys, dual-pane panoramic sunroof, cruise control, paddle shifters, electronic parking brake and much more.

The top-trim is where the Syros goes all in to offer much more advanced features such as a better 8-speaker sound system, LEVEL-2 ADAS, dual zone climate control, 5-inch touch control AC panel, rear Ventilated Seat and segment first rear reclining and sliding seats, which justifies a 2 to 2.3 Lakh jump over the Sonet, considering that the Syros is also more spacious and practical.

Thus, as far as price is concerned, both the Kia Syros and the Sonet are similarly priced. But considering all the aspects, the new Kia Syros is undoubtedly a better value for money with more space and better features onboard.

Kia Syros vs. Kia Sonet: Summary

Be it the Kia Syros or the Kia Sonet, both cars offer a brim-loaded package that checks almost all the boxes that one looks for in a compact SUV. Both cars offer a stylish look that is contemporary, muscular, sporty and assertive, with the Syros adopting a more polarising avatar. Coming to the performance and engine, while both SUVs share a common turbocharged petrol and diesel engine, the Sonet offers the convenience of driving an iMT with its petrol engine, which the Syros does not. What’s more is the Sonet’s 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine that the Syros misses out on. Feature-wise, both SUVs are topped with impressive features, but the Syros takes a slight edge, being the latest offering with some additional goodies up its sleeve. Safety, however, is where the Syros truly shines, with almost all modern-day safety tech onboard, including Level-2 ADAS. Finally, coming on to the price, while the Kia Sonet is indeed value for money, the Syros still manages to take the lead, across all variant spectrums.

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