Tata Nexon is an iconic compact SUV that has been one of the most-selling SUVs in the Indian car market for years. It basically comes with a 1.2-litre turbo petrol and 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine options. The turbo petrol variants of Nexon are paired with manual, AMT, and 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission options whereas the diesel variants come with both manual and automatic transmission options. The CNG Tata Nexon variants are only available with the manual transmission whereas an all-electric variant of Nexon has also been launched in recent years.
Kia Sonet is another car that has managed to sustain the tough competition in the compact SUV segment. It comes with a 1.2-litre NA petrol, 1.0-litre turbo petrol, and 1.5-litre diesel engine. The NA petrol models of Sonet are paired with the manual transmission only whereas the turbo petrol variants offer iMT and DCT transmission options. The diesel variants of Nexon offer both manual and automatic transmission options. In this blog, we will compare Tata Nexon vs Kia Sonet models on the basis of their ARAI claims and real-world mileage figures to determine the more fuel-efficient car among the two.
Table of Contents
Tata Nexon vs Kia Sonet: Specs
Before comparing Nexon and Sonet on the basis of their fuel-efficiency, let’s compare their specifications and see if they would impact their real-world mileage. The below table highlights the key specifications of Tata Nexon and Kia Sonet:
| Specification | Tata Nexon | Kia Sonet |
| Engine | 1.2-litre Turbo Petrol1.2-litre Turbo Petrol + CNG1.5-litre Diesel | 1.2-litre Naturally Aspirated (NA) petrol engine1.0-litre Turbo-Petrol1.5-Litre Turbo Petrol |
| Displacement | Petrol: 1199 ccCNG: 1398 ccDiesel: 1497 cc | Petrol: 1197 cc /998 cc (Turbo Petrol) Diesel: 1493 cc |
| Power | Petrol: 120 PSCNG: 100 PSDiesel: 115 PS | Petrol: 82 hp – 118 PS (Turbo Petrol)Diesel: 114 PS |
| Torque | Petrol: 170 NmCNG: 170 NmDiesel: 260 Nm | Petrol: 115 – 172 Nm (Turbo Petrol)Diesel: 250 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT (CNG)6-speed MT 6-speed AMT7-Speed DCT | 5-speed manual transmission (MT)6-speed MT6-speed iMT6-speed TC7-Speed DCT |
| Drive layout | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Kerb weight | Petrol: 1250 kgDiesel: 1357 kg | 1287 kg to 1346 kg (depending upon the variant) |
| Fuel tank capacity | Petrol/Diesel: 44 litresCNG: 60 litres (water equivalent) | 45 litres |
The power and torque of both Nexon and Sonet fall in the same range. Their kerb weight is also identical. Therefore, we cannot determine which one offers a better mileage among these two cars from specifications alone.
Tata Nexon vs Kia Sonet: Claimed ARAI Mileage
ARAI conducts mileage tests for all cars in India. These tests are performed on ideal roads with minimum load and perfect driving conditions. So, the ARAI claimed mileage figures always prove to be on the higher side as compared to the real-world mileage figures. Now, let’s compare the ARAI claimed mileage of Tata Nexon vs Kia Sonet to see which car proved to be more fuel-efficient during the ARAI tests:
| Engine & Transmission | Fuel Type | Tata Nexon – ARAI Mileage (km/l) | Kia Sonet – ARAI Mileage (km/l) |
| 1.2-litre NA Petrol – 5-Speed MT | Petrol | – | 18.8 km/l |
| 1.2-litre Turbo Petrol MT | Petrol | 17.7 km/l | – |
| 1.2-litre Turbo Petrol – 6-Speed AMT / 1.0-litre turbo petrol – 6-speed iMT | Petrol | 17.18 km/l | 18.7 km/l |
| 1.2-litre Turbo Petrol 7-Speed DCT / 1.0-litre Turbo Petrol – 7-Speed DCT | Petrol | 17.01 km/l | 19.2 km/l |
| 1.2-litre Petrol + CNG with 5-speed manual | Petrol + CNG | 24 km/kg | – |
| 1.5-litre Diesel MT | Diesel | 23.23 km/l | 24.1 km/l |
| 1.5-litre Diesel AT | Diesel | 24.08 km/l | 18.60 km/l |
Tata Nexon does not come with an NA petrol engine and therefore, it is futile to compare it with the ARAI claimed mileage of Sonet’s NA petrol variants. When it comes to the turbo petrol variants, we can compare the AMT and 7-speed DCT variants of both these cars as Sonet does not offer the turbo petrol + manual powertrain. Here, Kia Sonet claims a much higher mileage than Tata Nexon.
When it comes to the diesel variants, the manual models of Kia Sonet claim a slightly higher mileage than the diesel manual variants of Nexon. However, Nexon claims a much higher mileage than Sonet variants when it comes to diesel automatic models. Nexon is available with CNG + manual powertrain which is missing in Sonet. So, it is futile comparing the claimed mileage of this car in this segment.
Summary: When it comes to turbo petrol models, Sonet claims a higher mileage than Nexon. However, when it comes to diesel variants, the automatic models of Nexon claim the highest mileage.
Tata Nexon vs Kia Sonet: Real-World Mileage
The real-world mileage depends on factors such as your driving style, road conditions, variant, transmission, and other factors. Now let’s see how Tata Nexon vs Kia Sonet stand against each other when we compare their real-world mileage. The below table highlights the key details regarding the real-world mileage of Tata Nexon and Kia Sonet:
| Tata Nexon (1.2-litre NA Petrol) | Kia Sonet (1.0-litre NA Petrol) | |
| City | – | 13 km/l |
| Highway | – | 17 km/l |
| Average | – | 15 km/l |
| Tank range | – | 675 km |
| Tata Nexon (1.2-litre Turbo Petrol) | Kia Sonet (1.0-litre Turbo Petrol) | |
| City | Manual: 13.3 km/lAutomatic: 9.1 km/l | iMT: 11.9 km/lAutomatic: 11.5 km/l |
| Highway | Manual: 14.5 km/lAutomatic: 16.6 km/l | iMT: 16.65 km/lAutomatic: 16.25 |
| Average | Manual: 13.9 km/lAutomatic: 10.8 km/l | iMT: 14.27 km/lAutomatic: 13.87 km/l |
| Tank range | Up to 543 km | 633 km |
| Tata Nexon CNG | Kia Sonet CNG (Not Available) | |
| City | Manual: 15 km/kgAutomatic: 15.1 km.kg | – |
| Highway | Manual: 23 km/kgAutomatic: 23.7 km/kg | – |
| Average | Manual: 19 km/kgAutomatic: 19.5 km/kg | – |
| Tank range | 173 km per fill | – |
| Tata Nexon (1.5-litre Diesel) | Kia Sonet Diesel | |
| City | Manual: 16.5 km/lAutomatic: Up to 15 km/l | Manual: 15.4 km/klAutomatic: 13.8 km/l |
| Highway | Manual: 19.4 km/lAutomatic: Up to 20 km/l | Manual: 20.8 km/lAutomatic: 18.8 km/l |
| Average | Manual: 18 km/lAutomatic: 17.5 km/l | Manual: 18.1 km/lAutomatic: 16.3 km/l |
| Tank range | 781 km | 774 km |
In real-world conditions, Tata Nexon diesel automatic variants offer higher mileage than the Sonet diesel automatic variants. However, the diesel manual variants of Sonet offer a slightly better mileage than Nexon diesel manual models.
When we compare the real-world mileage figures of turbo-petrol models, Kia Sonet seems to have a clear advantage over Tata Nexon. The NA petrol models of Sonet offer an overall higher mileage when we compare the petrol models. However, as the NA engine is not offered by Nexon, comparing them directly is not possible. The same goes with the CNG models as Sonet does not offer the petrol + CNG option.
Therefore, we cannot determine a clear winner after comparing the real-world mileage figures of both these cars. While Sonet wins with the turbo petrol and NA petrol variants, Nexon proves to be better with the diesel and CNG variants.
Summary: A single car cannot be deemed as better between Nexon and Sonet when it comes to mileage. Each car has certain powertrains that offer better mileage if we compare it with the similar powertrain of the other.
Also Read: Kia Sonet Mileage Comparison: Petrol vs Diesel vs Turbo Petrol
Tata Nexon vs Kia Sonet: Periodic Fuel-Cost Comparison
The final comparison of mileage boils down to the periodic fuel costs. So, let’s compare Tata Nexon vs Kia Sonet on the basis of their monthly, yearly, and 5-yearly fuel costs. For the sake of comparison, we will consider that both cars run 1500 km approximately every month. The standard petrol (Rs. 111.18), diesel (Rs. 97.83) and CNG (Rs. 88) are taken while calculating the fuel costs. The below table contains all the important details regarding the fuel costs of each car:
| Nexon 1.2-NA Petrol | Sonet 1.2-NA Petrol | Nexon Turbo Petrol | Sonet (1.0-litre Turbo Petrol) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Running | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km |
| Monthly Fuel Use | – | 100 L | 121 L | 107 L |
| Average Monthly Fuel Cost | – | ₹ 11,118 | ₹ 13,452 | ₹ 11,896 |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | – | ₹ 1.33 lakh | ₹ 1.61 lakh | ₹ 1.42 lakh |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | – | ₹ 6.67 lakh | ₹ 8.07 lakh | ₹ 7.13 lakh |
| Nexon CNG | Sonet CNG | Nexon Diesel | Sonet Diesel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Running | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 78 kg | – | 84 L | 87 L |
| Average Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 6864 | – | ₹ 8217 | ₹ 8511 |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹ 82,368 | – | ₹ 98,604 | ₹ 1.02 lakh |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹ 4.11 lakh | – | ₹ 4.93 lakh | ₹ 5.10 lakh |
The periodic fuel costs associated with Nexon’s petrol variants is higher than both the fuel costs associated with both NA petrol and turbo petrol variants of Sonet.
The CNG variants of Nexon prove to be the most budget-friendly option when we calculate their periodic fuel costs. Even the diesel models of Nexon prove to be a more cost-friendly option than the diesel variants of Sonet. Therefore, after comparing and analysing overall powertrains, we can safely say that Nexon proves to be a better car than Sonet in terms of periodic fuel costs.
Summary: After calculating the periodic fuel costs, we can say that Nexon is a more budget-friendly car than Sonet while Sonet holds the advantage in the NA petrol and turbo petrol models.
Also Read: Tata Nexon Mileage Guide: Real vs ARAI & Best Variant Pick
Tata Nexon vs Kia Sonet: Price
Finally, let’s compare these cars on the basis of their price. The below table shows the ex-showroom price of the base-to-top models of Nexon and Sonet:
| Model | Variant (Base to Top) | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
| Tata Nexon | Smart to Fearless Plus/Dark Editions | ₹ 7.40 to ₹ 14.52 lakh |
| Kia Sonet | HTE Petrol to Turbo AT | ₹ 7.40 to ₹ 15.77 lakh |
If we compare the prices of Tata Nexon and Kia Sonet, they fall in the similar range. However, Kia Sonet seems to be the overall more expensive car than Nexon, especially when we compare their top variants.
Summary
Both Nexon and Sonet are solid and feature-packed cars. While Nexon is known for its powerful performance and robust safety features, Kia Sonet is known for its smooth ride-quality and features. When it comes to mileage, both the cars are similar. For city driving, you can opt for the CNG variants of Nexon or NA petrol variants of Sonet. For highway driving, go for the diesel manual models of Kia Sonet or opt for the diesel automatic variants of Tata Nexon.
Also Read: Comparison: Tata Nexon vs Kia Sonet
FAQs About Tata Nexon vs Kia Sonet Mileage
Q. Which car offers better mileage on the highway: Nexon diesel or Sonet diesel?
The diesel manual variants of Sonet offer slightly better mileage on the highway as compared to the diesel manual variants of Nexon. However, the diesel automatic variants of Nexon deliver a much higher mileage than the diesel automatic models of Sonet.
Q. Which car offers better mileage in the city: Nexon turbo petrol or Sonet turbo petrol?
The turbo petrol variants of Kia Sonet offer higher mileage than the turbo petrol variants of Tata Nexon.
Q. Tata Nexon vs Kia Sonet: Which is the better car for driving in off-roading conditions?
Both Nexon and Sonet are not engineered for off-roading as they lack the 4×4 drivetrain, terrain-specific modes, and other off-roading supporting features. The better build-quality and higher ground clearance of Tata Nexon makes it slightly better than Sonet when it comes to off-roading conditions.
Q. Which mileage-related features and specifications are included in the Tata Nexon models?
The smooth Dual Clutch Automatic (DCA) transmission in the Nexon models is optimised to deliver higher fuel-efficiency. The ‘City’ driving mode also enhances the mileage of Nexon cars by lowering the power and maximising the fuel-efficiency of the car.
Q. Which mileage-related features and specifications are included in the Kia Sonet models?
The Idle Start/Stop button and ‘Eco’ driving mode are the key specs of Kia Sonet that enhance its fuel-efficiency.
