So, today we have the competition of the newest member in the compact SUV segment against one of the most popular compact SUVs in the segment. After its launch, Kia Sonet became an instant hit and appealed to the customers a lot. This can be confirmed by the kind of sales figures it has managed to achieve month-on-month since its debut. The Sonet has been one of the key pillars in establishing the Kia brand in the country. On the other hand, we have Renault, who has studied the Indian sensibilities well and tested our market with products like the Duster, Kwid and Triber. It has been successful with these products and wants to expand its portfolio and market share with the all-new Kiger. Granted, the price difference between these two products is a lot, but then these two SUVs do belong to the same segment at the end of the day. This warrants a comparison article in terms of engines, features, styling and other equipment. So let us dive straight into the comparison.
Also read: Kia Sonet vs Nissan Magnite – Prices, features and tech comparison!
Renault Kiger vs Kia Sonet – Exterior and Dimensions
The Renault Kiger features two honeycomb-shaped chrome effects running across the front grille and LED DRLs placed on the bonnet. The LED headlamp cluster is placed down below on the bumper, which is encased in the chrome unit. Along with this, the sporty front bumper with skid plates gives it a tall and muscular stance. The sides are accentuated by the 16-inch black diamond-cut finished alloys, wheel arch cladding with roof rails and dual-tone roof. When we move to the rear, we are greeted by the LED tail lamp unit with glossy black inserts, which make the look very modern indeed.
Also read: Renault Kiger vs Nissan Magnite – Features, prices and engines comparison!
The front of the Kia Sonet is bold, with the signature Tiger-nose grille surround by a chrome rim, Crown Jewel LED Headlamps with Heartbeat LED DRLs. The roof rails, chrome door handles and chrome around the window-line accentuate the side-profile appeal of the Sonet. The rear headlamps are connected together by a reflector strip which makes the rear design look modern and broad. In the GT-variant, the front grille has nice red inserts to give it a sporty look. There are skid plates at the front as well as at the rear to make it look tough and muscular. Overall, it is a beautiful and sporty-looking sub-compact SUV.
Also read: Renault Kiger vs Hyundai Venue – Features, prices and tech comparison!
| Parameter | Renault Kiger | Kia Sonet |
| Length | 3991 mm | 3995 mm |
| Width | 1750 mm | 1790 mm |
| Height | 1600 mm (with roof rails) | 1642 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2500 mm | 2500 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 205 mm | 205 mm |
| Boot Space | 405 L | 392 L |
Both these SUVs are almost similar in length and wheelbase but the Sonet has an edge by being a bit wider and taller than the Kiger. This can prove to be useful for the comfort of the rear passengers. The Kiger boasts of having the largest boot in the segment but Sonet’s boot is also not too far off than Kiger’s. It is almost head-to-head in terms of dimensions with the Sonet enjoying a small edge.
Renault Kiger vs Kia Sonet – Interiors, Safety and Features
The interiors of the Kiger revolve around the 8-inch Digital Infotainment Touchscreen with wireless smartphone replication for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with Voice Recognition, USB and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless pairing of smartphones to use the driving and multimedia apps. Through the MULTI-SENSE setup, the drive can choose from various driving modes according to the conditions, like Normal, Eco and Sports mode. All this information is available to the driver via a 7-inch TFT Digital Instrument Cluster. Then there is the Auditorium 3D Sound system with 8 speakers, Ambient Lighting, Hands-free smart access card, Automatic Climate Control, Air Filter and much more. On the safety front, the Kiger comes equipped with dual-front airbags as well as two side airbags, Radar Sensors and Reverse Parking Camera, front seats get seat belt reminder alert, ABS with EBD, Three-point seatbelts for front and rear passengers (rear center passenger gets a two-point seatbelt).
Also read: Renault Kiger vs Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza – Prices, features and engines comparison!
The Kia Sonet, just like its sibling, the Seltos, comes equipped to the brim with all the latest tech, comfort, safety and feel-good features to keep you pampered inside the cabin. As soon as you enter the car, you are greeted with a 10.25-inch floating Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Digital Instrument Cluster, Textured High-quality Dashboard, Ventilated Front Seats, UVO Connected Car Tech, Air Purifier, Drive Modes, Sunroof, Wireless Charging, Voice Command, 7-Speaker Bose Sound System, Cruise Control, LED Ambient Mood Lights and Cruise Control. On the safety front, the Sonet offers, 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC with Hill Ascent Control, Vehicle Stability Management, ISOFIX child anchor, Front and rear parking sensors with a rear camera and tyre pressure monitoring system.
Kia Sonet certainly comes loaded with a lot more convenience and safety features and that has been its selling point as well. For the price-point, however, the Kiger is decently well-equipped with all the necessary and modern tech and convenience features as well. It’s about how much money you want to shell out and both these products offer plenty of value for your money.
Renault Kiger vs Kia Sonet – Engines, Prices and Verdict
| Renault Kiger | Kia Sonet | |
| Engine | 1L Petrol; 1L Turbo-Petrol | 1.2L Petrol; 1L GDi Turbo-petrol; 1.5L Turbo-diesel |
| Transmission | 5-speed Manual; 5-speed AMT; Xtronic CVT Automatic | 5-speed manual (1.2L); iMT / DCT (1L) 6-speed manual / 6-speed Torque Converter(1.5L) |
| Power | 71 bhp / 99 bhp | 82 bhp (1.2L); 120 bhp (1L); 100 bhp (1.5 Manual) / 115 bhp (1.5L Auto) |
| Torque | 96 Nm / 160Nm (152Nm with CVT) | 115 Nm (1.2L); 172 Nm (1L); 240 Nm (1.5 Manual) / 250 Nm (1.5L Auto) |
As it is clear from the table above, Kia Sonet comes with all sorts of powertrain and transmission options, ranging from naturally aspirated and turbocharged petrol engines to diesel engines and from manual to various types of automatic transmissions including iMT, DCT and Torque Converter. Kia has got you covered in whatever you might require. The Kiger on the other hand comes with turbo petrol and a regular petrol powertrain. It also offers options of manual, CVT or AMT transmission options. Both of these offer all sorts of engine-gearbox combinations to choose from according to the need of the customers. The introductory prices of the Kiger start at Rs. 5.45 lakh and go all the way up to Rs. 9.55 lakh, ex-showroom. The Dual-tone options will cost Rs. 17,000 more for any variant. The Sonet, on the other hand, starts at Rs 6.79 lakh and goes all the way up to Rs 13.19 lakh, ex-showroom.
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Both these products have their respective strengths, characteristics and weaknesses. Whereas the Kiger lacks a diesel engine option altogether, the Sonet costs a ton more than the Kiger. We would suggest that if you are on the lookout for an SUV on a budget with all the necessary modern features and equipment and don’t require a diesel, you may opt for the Kiger. But you are flexible in your budget and want an upmarket feel inside the cabin and any type of gearbox and transmission combination then might go for the Kia Sonet.
