Maruti Brezza and Kia Sonet are popular compact SUVs and offer different powertrain options. The Brezza, a compact SUV, emphasises performance and efficiency, while the Sonet offers petrol, turbo-petrol, and diesel engines. Both SUVs also come with manual and automatic transmission options.
The 2026 Brezza adds a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine alongside its 1.5-litre petrol and CNG options. The Sonet continues with three engines and offers automatics across more variants. Let us compare their claimed and real-world mileage and monthly fuel expenses.
Maruti Brezza vs Kia Sonet Specs
The table below focuses on the fundamental mechanical and dimensional differences of Maruti Brezza and Kia Sonet:
| Specification | Maruti Brezza | Kia Sonet |
| Engine options | 1.0-litre turbo-petrol; 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol; 1.5-litre petrol-CNG | 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol; 1.0-litre turbo-petrol; 1.5-litre diesel |
| Displacement | Turbo-petrol: 998 cc; Petrol/CNG: 1462 cc | NA petrol: 1197 cc; Turbo-petrol: 998 cc; Diesel: 1493 cc |
| Power | Turbo-petrol: 110 PS; Petrol: 103 PS; CNG: 88 PS | NA petrol: 83 PS; Turbo-petrol: 120 PS; Diesel: 116 PS |
| Torque | Turbo-petrol: 170 Nm; Petrol: 139 Nm; CNG: 121.5 Nm | NA petrol: 115 Nm; Turbo-petrol: 172 Nm; Diesel: 250 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed MT; 6-speed torque-converter AT | 5-speed MT; 6-speed iMT; 7-speed DCT; 6-speed MT; 6-speed AT |
| Drive layout | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Length | 3995 mm | 3995 mm |
| Width | 1790 mm | 1790 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2500 mm | 2500 mm |
| Fuel-tank capacity | 48 litres | 45 litres |
The SUVs have the same length, width, and wheelbase, but their engines differ. The petrol engine of Maruti Brezza focuses on smooth, efficient performance. Its automatic transmission adds comfort, while the CNG engine suits regular drivers. The petrol engine of the Kia Sonet is the best in town. The 1.0-litre turbo engine delivers higher output than the Brezza petrol engine. The diesel engine is the strongest because of its torque capacity. The Brezza does not come with a diesel variant.
Maruti Brezza vs Kia Sonet: ARAI Mileage Figures
The Brezza has an advantage in claimed petrol mileage, particularly with its 1.5-litre manual. The Sonet diesel records the highest km/l figure, while the Brezza CNG delivers the strongest overall efficiency when measured in km/kg.
| Engine and transmission | Fuel type | Maruti Brezza mileage | Kia Sonet mileage |
| 1.5-litre NA petrol MT | Petrol | 20.81-21.09 km/l | Not available |
| 1.5-litre NA petrol AT | Petrol | 20.17 km/l | Not available |
| 1.0-litre turbo MT/iMT | Petrol | 19.96-20.47 km/l | 18.7 km/l |
| 1.0-litre turbo DCT | Petrol | Not available | 19.2 km/l |
| 1.2-litre petrol MT | Petrol | Not available | 18.83 km/l |
| 1.5-litre diesel MT | Diesel | Not available | 24.1 km/l |
| 1.5-litre diesel AT | Diesel | Not available | 18.6 km/l |
| 1.5-litre CNG MT | Petrol-CNG | 26.90 km/kg | Not available |
More economical variants of the Brezza claim higher mileage because they have fewer components. These laboratory figures don’t reflect real-world conditions, including traffic, acceleration, number of travellers, air-conditioning, or slope conditions.
On paper, the Brezza 1.5 manual leads the comparable petrol-manual versions, while the Sonet turbo DCT slightly exceeds its iMT counterpart. The Sonet diesel manual records the best km/l figure, but CNG remains cheaper per kilometre at the fuel prices used later.
Also Read: Complete Guide to buying a Maruti Brezza
Maruti Brezza vs Kia Sonet: Real World Fuel-Efficiency
Mileage in real conditions varies from route to route. A car with a manual transmission can achieve nearly its advertised mileage while driving on highways, but frequent stop-and-go driving and short distances will take their toll on efficiency. Turbo petrol engines are very sensitive to frequent full-throttle driving. Tyre condition and average speed are also important. When tyres are under-inflated, rolling resistance increases, which has a heavy impact on fuel economy. At speeds over 90-100 km/h, drag adds to the increased rolling resistance.
Petrol Real-World Mileage
| Driving condition | Maruti Brezza petrol | Kia Sonet petrol |
| City | 1.5 MT: 13-16 km/l; 1.5 AT: 12-13.5 km/l | 1.2 MT: 12-14 km/l; Turbo iMT: 11-13 km/l; Turbo DCT: Around 12.7 km/l |
| Highway | 1.5 MT: 17-20 km/l; 1.5 AT: 16.5-17.5 km/l | 1.2 MT: 16-18 km/l; Turbo iMT: 15-17 km/l; Turbo DCT: Around 16.7 km/l |
| Average | 1.5 MT: 15-17 km/l; 1.5 AT: 14-15 km/l | 1.2 MT: 14-16 km/l; Turbo iMT: 14-15 km/l; Turbo DCT: Around 14.4 km/l |
| Practical tank range | Approximately 670-800 km | Approximately 630-720 km |
Overall, the Brezza’s 1.5-litre manual gearbox delivers marginally better mileage than the others. Its engine does not strain itself much during regular driving, aided by mild-hybrid technology in stop-go situations. The automatic variant is less efficient in traffic conditions. The naturally aspirated engine in the Sonet offers similar mileage in urban areas as the other one, although it has less power. Still, the turbo-petrol version is far more exciting but consumes more fuel. Meanwhile, the DCT offers around 12-13 km/l in cities and 16-17 km/l on highways. The recently launched Brezza turbo does not have a solid owner average yet. An earlier test run, which involved a lot of hard driving and stopping, showed an onboard mileage of 11-14 km/l. However, these shouldn’t be taken as the average fuel economy figures.
Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Brezza Mileage: A Detailed Overview
Brezza CNG vs Sonet Diesel Real-World Mileage
| Driving condition | Maruti Brezza CNG | Kia Sonet diesel |
| City | 18-21 km/kg | Manual: 15-18 km/l; Automatic: 13-16 km/l |
| Highway | 24-26 km/kg | Manual: 19-23 km/l; Automatic: 18-20 km/l |
| Average | 21-23 km/kg | Manual: 17-19 km/l; Automatic: 15-17 km/l |
Because these powertrains run on different fuels, their mileage cannot be compared. The CNG option is best for customers who live close to the refuelling stations. CNG-type vehicles usually perform worse than petrol engines, especially with a lot of passengers and when driving uphill. The Sonet diesel delivers solid performance and fuel economy, producing 250 Nm of torque when cruising on highways; it can return 19-23 km/l with the manual transmission. However, the automatic gearbox sacrifices some fuel economy to improve driving in traffic-jam conditions. The Sonet diesel offers the longest range. With a 45-litre tank and 18 km/l mileage, it has a theoretical range of 810 km. Meanwhile, the Brezza petrol, with an average fuel consumption of 15 km/l, can cover around 720 km. However, the actual range will be shorter.
Maruti Brezza vs Kia Sonet: Fuel Cost Comparison
The following calculation assumes monthly running of 1,500 km. Petrol is priced at ₹112.02 per litre, diesel at ₹98.68 per litre, and CNG at ₹95.75 per kg. Representative mixed-driving averages of 15 km/l for Brezza petrol, 14.5 km/l for Sonet petrol, 22 km/kg for Brezza CNG and 18 km/l for Sonet diesel have been used.
| Expense | Brezza petrol | Sonet petrol | Brezza CNG | Sonet diesel |
| Monthly running | 1,500 km | 1,500 km | 1,500 km | 1,500 km |
| Monthly fuel use | 100 litres | 103.45 litres | 68.18 kg | 83.33 litres |
| Monthly fuel cost | ₹11,202 | ₹11,588 | ₹6,528 | ₹8,223 |
| Yearly fuel cost | ₹1.34 lakh | ₹1.39 lakh | ₹78,341 | ₹98,680 |
| Five-year fuel cost | ₹6.72 lakh | ₹6.95 lakh | ₹3.92 lakh | ₹4.93 lakh |
The petrol options are pretty much equal. The Brezza saves about ₹386 a month, which is about ₹23,000 cheaper over five years. However, the difference can vary depending on city and highway usage. The CNG Brezza saves ₹4,674 per month compared to the petrol Brezza, which adds up to over ₹2.80 lakh after five years. However, buyers should consider fuel availability, waiting time at gas stations, and lower output. Compared with the petrol Sonet, the diesel version saves ₹3,365 a month. This is ideal for highway travellers, but urban users should also consider its higher price and emissions compliance.
Also Read: Kia Sonet Image Gallery: Interior and Exterior
Maruti Brezza vs Kia Sonet Price
| Model | Variant range | Price (Ex-showroom) |
| Maruti Brezza | LXi to ZXi+ | Approximately ₹7.40 lakh to ₹13.60 lakh |
| Kia Sonet | HTE to GTX+/X-Line | Approximately ₹7.32 lakh to ₹14.27 lakh |
Both SUVs are priced similarly at the start, but the engine differences are significant. The Brezza offers petrol, turbo-petrol, and CNG, whereas the Sonet offers petrol, turbo-petrol, and diesel. The choice of engine and gearbox is slightly more important than the car’s price. Although the Sonet’s higher versions are more expensive, they offer diesel-automatic and turbo DCT combinations that the Brezza does not. The Brezza’s response is a CNG engine and a petrol automatic.
Summary
The Brezza holds a small advantage among regular petrol variants, while the Sonet turbo-petrol prioritises stronger performance over maximum efficiency. Their petrol automatics deliver broadly similar real-world mileage, although traffic and driving style can change the result.
Brezza CNG is the best performer in terms of lowest price. However, for consistent highway driving, the Sonet diesel manual offers good mileage, greater torque, and easier refuelling. Thus, the choice will depend on fuel availability, monthly driving, and whether you prioritise mileage, automation, or performance. In the case of dedicated petrol buyers, the difference between the two cars is minimal, and the decision should be made based on the issue of gearbox type and driving habits rather than just mileage figures.
FAQs
Q. Which delivers better real-world petrol mileage, the Maruti Brezza or Kia Sonet?
The Brezza generally has a small advantage. Its 1.5-litre manual can return approximately 13-16 km/l in cities and 17-20 km/l on highways. The Sonet 1.2 petrol returns around 12-14 km/l and 16-18 km/l respectively, while the Sonet turbo is more sensitive to acceleration.
Q. What is the real-world mileage of the Brezza automatic?
The Brezza 1.5-litre automatic can return approximately 12-13.5 km/l in cities and 16.5-17.5 km/l on highways. A mixed-driving average of around 14-15 km/l is realistic for many drivers.
Q. What is the real-world mileage of the Kia Sonet diesel?
The Sonet diesel manual can deliver approximately 15-18 km/l in cities and 19-23 km/l on highways. The diesel automatic generally returns 13-16 km/l in cities and 18-20 km/l on highways.
Q. Which SUV is cheaper to run every month?
The Brezza CNG is the cheapest under the fuel-price and mileage assumptions used here, costing approximately ₹6,528 to cover 1,500 km. The Sonet diesel follows at approximately ₹8,223, while both petrol versions cost more than ₹11,000 per month.
Q. Which automatic offers better mileage, Brezza petrol AT or Sonet turbo DCT?
The Brezza automatic generally has a slight advantage, with a mixed average of 14-15 km/l. The Sonet turbo DCT returns approximately 14.4 km/l in mixed driving. The difference is small enough for traffic and driving style to determine the actual winner.
