It’s been a year since Kia launched the Sonet, and frankly, it’s looking to be a winner for the brand. You’ll see more than a handful on the road and I do get the appeal. As a replacement to the Stonic, the Sonet fills the void that the small crossover left, while offering a more upright SUV styling than the former’s swoopy styling. More than a substitute, it practically resets the expectation for what a small crossover can be at just over a million pesos. That’s a bold claim, but after a few days behind the wheel of the top-spec SX variant, I think it’s well-deserved.
Let’s get something out of the way first: the Stonic was a tough act to follow. It was honest, cheerful, and absurdly good value — a subcompact with just the right amount of style and substance to win over budget-conscious buyers. So when Kia announced the Sonet would be its new entry-level crossover, I had my doubts. Was this going to be a cash grab riding on crossover fever? Or would it build on what made the Stonic great?
Turns out, it’s the latter, but not without a few quirks.
Looks That Punch Above Its Class
At first glance, the Sonet has all the visual drama you’d expect from a brand trying to sell small crossovers to style-conscious buyers. It’s compact, yes, but it doesn’t look cheap. Kia’s designers gave it a strong, upright stance with just the right amount of SUV flair. The front end is classic Kia: LED headlights (standard across the range), a prominent tiger-nose grille, and sculpted detailing that gives the impression of width and aggression.
At the rear, it mimics the larger Seltos with a sleek tailgate, vertical elements, and a surprisingly sporty roof spoiler with LED stop lamp. The SX variant I drove came in a Pewter Olive paint job that looked more expensive than it should – a rare compliment for a sub-P1.1M car. And those 16-inch alloys? Tasteful, not tacky.
Compared to its closest rival, the Toyota Raize, the Sonet has a bit more visual weight. It’s slightly wider and taller, which adds to its road presence – even if it falls a little short in overall length and wheelbase.
Interior Hits (and a Few Misses)
Hop inside and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The Sonet feels more grown-up than the Stonic ever did. Materials are better, ergonomics are more sorted, and the layout – especially in the SX trim – gives off a mildly European vibe.
The centerpiece is the wide 10.25-inch infotainment screen, which blends into the digital driver display for a cohesive, almost luxury-car look. The UI is clean and responsive, with wireless Apple CarPlay that actually works, and pairs beautifully with the standard wireless charging pad. Bonus points for keeping physical buttons for the A/C – not everything needs to be clumped into infotainment screens these days.
The SX I tested also gets a tan leather interior, a sunroof, rear A/C vents, push-start ignition, and even remote engine start. These features aren’t unheard of in this segment, but having all of them together at this price is rare. Also rare: all four wheels get disc brakes.
There are, however, a few pain points. The piano black accents around the center stack and vents look cool for the first five minutes, until you realize they’re fingerprint and dust magnets. The speaker system sounds thin and tinny, and the infotainment bezel design could be more refined. And then there’s the window lock switch on our test unit – already malfunctioning at 14,000 km. Not exactly confidence-inspiring.
But the biggest interior letdown? No speed-sensing door locks. It’s 2024. That shouldn’t even be up for discussion, especially at this price point.
Space and Practicality
Despite its compact size, the Sonet makes good use of its footprint. Four adults will fit comfortably, with surprisingly good rear legroom and decent headroom all around. Squeezing in a fifth person won’t be fun, but that’s par for the course in this segment.
Storage is also well-thought-out, especially for reasonable cargo-hauling. The cupholders are also useable, there’s a shelf under the center console for gadgets, and the door bins can hold actual bottles. It’s not cavernous, but it’s clever.
The Drive: Mostly Good, Occasionally Sluggish
Under the hood is a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine making 115 hp and 144 Nm of torque, mated to an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) – Kia and Hyundai’s version of a CVT. It’s a familiar setup, and in normal city driving, it gets the job done.
Throttle response is linear, and the engine feels peppy enough once you’re rolling. But off the line, it’s a bit slow to respond. There’s a noticeable delay between your foot going down and the drivetrain catching up – not unsafe, but definitely not enthusiastic. Once it does hook up, though, it moves confidently.
Where the Sonet impresses most is in how it handles. Steering is well-weighted, with actual feedback, and it holds its line nicely even in tighter corners. This thing has more composure than it needs to, and I’m not complaining. Ride quality is also solid – you sit higher than in the Stonic thanks to the 205mm ground clearance, but it doesn’t feel top-heavy or floaty. It’s no hot hatch, but it’s not a boat either.
Braking is strong, thanks in part to the all-disc setup, though the bite could use a little fine-tuning – they’re grabby at low speeds.
Safety and Tech
One of the Sonet SX’s biggest flexes is its suite of driver assistance features – lane keeping assist, forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, and even downhill brake control. These aren’t gimmicks; they work, and they add real peace of mind. The catch? They’re only on the SX.
Standard safety kit across the rest of the lineup is acceptable: dual airbags, ABS, rear sensors and camera, immobilizer, and three-point seatbelts for everyone. Cruise control is standard too, except on the base LX MT.
Overall Verdict
This year, the Kia Sonet starts at P778,000 for the LX MT and tops out at P1,178,000 for the fully loaded SX. That’s a wide spread, but even the lower trims offer decent value. Still, it’s the SX that makes the strongest case – not just as a Stonic successor, but as a new benchmark in the segment. However, there’s a bit of price hike compared to last year, so that’s one thing to note, especially with newer rivals that arrived that offer better value at the same price.
Yes, it has quirks: lazy off-the-line acceleration, a few cheap-feeling materials, and questionable long-term durability in some parts. But the good far outweighs the bad. It looks great, drives better than most in its class, and throws in some features you usually don’t see until the next price bracket.
If the Stonic was Kia’s no-frills city car done right, then the Sonet is a full-fledged crossover that doesn’t forget its roots. It’s still honest and practical – just with a whole lot more polish.
