Kia Sonet Engine & Performance
The Kia Sonet is being offered with 3 engine options: a 1.2 petrol, 1.0 GDI turbo petrol and a 1.5 diesel. And there are five gearbox options between the three engines. Talk about choices. We got to drive the diesel with the 6 speed torque convertor automatic and the 1.0 turbo petrol with iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission).
The diesel engine develops 115 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque when mated to the auto box. The manual comes in 100 hp tune and 250 Nm torque. First off, the diesel engine is simply fantastic. It is extremely refined and you cannot hear the diesel clatter even at idling speeds. Turbo lag is negligible and you get a superb mid-range punch once you cross 2000 rpm. It does sound a little noisy at higher rpms but that’s nothing to complain about. The 6 speed torque convertor automatic is a perfect match to this motor. The shifts are very smooth and you won’t feel it is ever getting confused to find the right cog. Put you put down and response is instant when you plan to overtake. The gearbox is even more fun in Sport mode where it holds the revs on the lower gears for longer. There’s even an Eco mode if you are in the mood for fuel efficiency.
The other variant we got to drive is the 1.0 GDI turbo petrol with the iMT gearbox. This engine also does duty in the Hyundai Venue. It puts out 120 horsepower and 172 of torque. While it takes a couple of minutes to get used to the manual shifting clutchless scenario, it is a lot of fun once you get into the flow. You have full control over the shifts just like a regular manual. Acceleration is smooth but you don’t get the turbo surge that you usually expect. It feels more linear on the go. You also don’t feel it is a three pot unless you hit the redline. The iMT wont stall either when you come to a standstill. However, if you are slow in a higher gear, the MID will remind you to downshift accompanied by a beep sound. You don’t have to take your foot off the accelerator while changing gears, but that said, taking your foot off the pedal makes shifting smoother. The Sonet iMT feels nice on the highway with a good mid-range after 2000 rpm. It is best driven in a relaxed manner. There’s lots of engine braking available as well. Should you by the iMT over the DCT? We will report on that once we get a chance to drive the turbo petrol with the DCT gearbox.
Kia Sonet Ride & Handling
Ride quality on the Kia Sonet is compliant and while it is on the slightly firmer side at low speeds, it won’t unsettle you. The compact SUV goes over bad roads and potholes without a hiccup. Only the very sharp bumps will thud into the cabin. Coming to the handling, the steering of the diesel feels heavier as compared to that on the petrol. The petrol felt a little more agile when steering into corners. Grip is good and body roll is well controlled. The steering in itself is light at city and parking speeds and weighs up well as you go faster. Brakes are impressive and have good bite. It gets three traction modes as well: Snow, Mud and Sand. We didn’t get a chance to sample these during the drive.
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