Kia Sonet 1.5 SX AT review: Quietly confident daily driver

byVikka Abat-Francisco
07/04/2025

Safe to say, the Philippine automotive market right is overflowing with SUVs — from new energy vehicles to traditional ICE, you’re pretty much spoilt for choice.

And while the scene right now is all about being loud and proud, the Kia Sonet chose a quieter, more confident path. It isn’t the flashiest or most feature-packed vehicle in its segment, but it gets a few things right for the Filipino driver — practicality, reliability, and just a tinge of personality.

What the Kia Sonet Offers: Understated but still eye-catching

On the outside, the Sonet continues Kia’s modern design language with its “Tiger Nose” grille sitting between clean LED headlights.

It stands on 16‑inch alloy wheels wrapped in 205/55 R16 tires. Sculpted body lines and black cladding give this SUV a rugged stance. It also boasts practical additions like roof rails that also add visual height.

Even with the addition, it remains compact, making it perfect for condo parking slots or tight mall ramps: 110 mm length, 1,790 mm width, and between 1,625–1,642 mm height depending on trim, all riding on a 2,500 mm wheelbase.

Inside, the cabin is laid out thoughtfully and quite ergonomically.

It’s mostly hard plastics, but everything feels solid and well put together. There’s a clear effort to make things intuitive — from the centrally placed 10-inch touchscreen (higher trims) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, to the optional digital instrument display on higher trims. It also provides you with tactile buttons, meaning you won’t be dependent on the central display for controls.

For this trim, you’re treated with classy two-tone leather seats. Also exclusive to the top trim are wireless charging, a sunroof, and automatic climate control.

Rear seats fold flat easily for loading larger items, and there’s enough space to accommodate small families or weekend road trip needs. That said, there are compromises; it is a little snug in the back, and you’re basically given just the essentials. But at this price point, Kia’s restraint feels deliberate rather than lacking.

Engine and Fuel Efficiency: Daily-Ready Performance

Powering this Sonet is a 1.5-liter gasoline engine that puts out 113 PS and 144 Nm of torque, paired with either a 6-speed manual or an IVT (Kia’s take on a CVT). It’s not a power-hungry setup, but it does deliver consistent, reliable performance that was more than enough for my daily driving.

In Metro Manila traffic, it handles the constant stop-and-go scenarios on highways and side streets with ease. The IVT shifts smoothly, throttle response is predictable. It’s not the kind of engine you’d push hard for excitement, but for daily errands and commutes, it’s more than enough.Fuel economy is great and probably one of the main reasons to cop the Sonet if you’re not going the hybrid/full electric route.

During my time with it, I got around 10–11 km/L in the city, and it managed 17–20 km/L on the highway with moderate driving.

Now speaking of daily drives, this is where the Sonet truly finds its rhythm; it feels light on its feet thanks to its compact size, excellent visibility, and light steering. Maneuvering through narrow roads and tight U-turns was very manageable; it’s easy to park, quick to get comfortable in, and overall a stress-free car to drive in Metro Manila conditions.The suspension tuning leans toward comfort — stable, relaxed, and unfussy.The Sonet is a no-frills vehicle that performs as expected. It’s easy to live with, efficient enough, and comes with just enough tech to keep itself modern enough.

However, the absence of ADAS might cause it to feel dated sooner, especially now that even entry-level rivals are starting to include these features.

Kia Sonet Safety Features: What’s Included (and What’s Missing)

Kia equips the Sonet with the essential safety tech: ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control, Hill-Start Assist, rear parking sensors with a camera, and multiple airbags (with side and curtain airbags on higher trims).

These provide solid everyday protection for city and provincial driving alike.

For this top-spec 1.5 SX, you’re also getting a few Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features including cruise control, lane keep assist, lane follow assist, forward collision braking assist, driver attention warning, and a few more. It’s not the most advanced but it’s enough for the average driver.

Kia Sonet vs Competitors in the Philippines

As mentioned earlier, in the Philippine market, the Kia Sonet competes in a tightly contested space with several strong contenders.

Among them is the very popular Toyota Raize, which offers a turbo engine option, attractive pricing, and the benefit of Toyota’s long-standing local presence.

You also have the Geely GX3 Pro, a tech-packed crossover from a rapidly growing Chinese brand offering an impressive specs-to-price ratio, though its resale value and brand familiarity might not be for everyone. The Changan CS15 and CS35 Plus sit close in terms of size and equipment, often offering more features at a similar price.

The Hyundai Creta’s higher trims include ventilated seats, leatherette interior, a 10.25″ touchscreen, wireless charging, and a full Hyundai ADAS suite — adaptive cruise control with stop & go, AEB, lane‑keeping, blind spot detection, and more.

Looking ahead, budget-conscious buyers might consider hybrid or electric alternatives such as the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid or Hyundai Kona, though they tend to start above the Sonet’s asking price.

Against this group, the Sonet may not be the most feature-loaded or aggressively priced, but it strikes a healthy balance of dependability, comfort, and ease of use.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Kia Sonet?

The Kia Sonet isn’t trying to be something it’s not. It doesn’t feel like it’s trying to one-up anyone or flash you with an abundance of features and buzz words — and I guess that’s exactly its charm. It’s a car that knows its role and gets the job done with honesty and quiet confidence.

For young professionals, small families, or even first-time car buyers who value ease of ownership over high-tech features, the Kia Sonet is a solid choice. It gives you the essentials – good looks, reliable performance, and fuel efficiency — in a package that feels refined enough for city life and versatile enough for the occasional weekend drive. Though we do feel you’re getting the most value with this top-spec variant.