Hyundai Venue Vs Kia Sonet 2022: Check Price And Other Specifications

These two SUVs give you the most features, and most engine options and also promise to be fun to drive with turbo-petrol on offer with DCT transmissions.

Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet 2022

Source : Somnath Chatterjee

New Delhi: Hyundai and Kia have dominated the SUV segment from the sub-compact to the 4m plus compact SUV space. In fact, there is intense rivalry between the two car-makers with Hyundai upping the stakes with the new Venue recently which competes with the Kia Sonet. In the below 4m space, these two SUVs give you the most features, and most engine options and also promise to be fun to drive with turbo-petrol on offer with DCT transmissions. Yet, with the arrival of the new Venue, the competition has become even tougher now between the two and here, we will tell what are the differences now.

Which is bigger?

Both these SUVs are related and while they share the same platform and other mechanical bits including engines, the design is where they both look completely different. Both the Venue and the Sonet have the same length of 3995mm while the Sonet is a bit wider at 1790mm vs the 1770mm of the Venue. That said, the Venue has more height than the Sonet at 1617mm vs 1610mm. Both have the same wheelbase at 2500mm also.

Yet in terms of looks, the new Venue has clawed back in terms of presence thanks to its new aggressive looks. The massive grille up front is the main reason while the detailing including the bumper design to the connected LED tail-lamps also looks really good. It is like an all-new car. Compared to the previous Venue, it is now much more appealing. The Sonet has been around for a while but still looks fresh enough but the Tiger Nose grille along with the red accents on this GT Line in particular adds to the sporty looks.

What about the interiors?

Here is the main reason why you would buy both these SUVs as they are much above rivals in terms of overall quality. The overall switchgear to the materials used inside feel similar to above 4m SUVs or in these cars, more like the Creta/Seltos. The Sonet has chrome switches which are similar to the Seltos while the Creta like steering wheel and air purifier is also seen on the new Venue. The new Venue now gets a lighter coloured upholstery too which makes the cabin airy. In terms of space, the Venue has the more comfortable rear seat and you can recline it too. The Sonet is not far away while the all black cabin does remove the sense of airiness.

In the features department, both try to impress you. Sunroof, digital driver display, air purifier, connected car tech, climate control, rear view camera, premium audio system and more. The differences lie in the small details with the Sonet having the bigger touchscreen but the Venue having more connected car features. The Sonet gets front parking sensors too and ventilated seats while the Venue gets a powered drivers seat! Both are also well equipped in terms of safety features.

Engine options?

Both SUVs have the same engine options too with a 1.2l petrol which makes 83bhp and which gets a standard 5-speed manual. However, we suggest you go for the more expensive 1.0l turbo petrol which develops 120bhp and that can be had with either an iMT clutchless manual or a 7-speed DCT with paddle shifters. The DCT in both are smooth and recommended if budget permits while the iMT is actually also easy to live with once you get used to it.

A 1.5l diesel is also a crucial engine because diesel still stills and here the Sonet has a more powerful automatic version with drive modes while the Venue diesel is manual only. The Venue DCT now gets drive modes via a knob and makes it level with the Sonet which also gets the same. Both SUVs are great to drive and are easy to live with due to their light steering and compact SUV. The Sonet has the firmer suspension but has more weight with its steering while the Venue is tuned to be a lighter runabout with its more comfort-oriented ride. Again, its minor differences.

Prices?

The new Venue is priced between Rs 7.5 lakh and goes on till Rs 12.7 lakh. The Sonet meanwhile starts from Rs 7.4 lakh and goes on till Rs 13.7 lakh. As explained the differences are minor but that is due to Hyundai making the Venue a more formidable opposition to the new updates regarding features and looks. The Sonet meanwhile continues to stay strong in its own value points so the differences boil down to features which appeal to you and the driving experience that you prefer.