Kia Sonet HTE (O) Review: The Base Variant That Comes With a Sunroof

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CARS

11/13/20263 min read

If you are looking for an SUV this festive season, the Kia Sonet is one of the most popular choices in the compact SUV segment. It comes in many variants, but the one I checked is the HTE (O) base variant, which adds some extra features over the entry-level model and includes a sunroof. In this review I’ll walk you through the exterior, interior, space, features and Delhi prices.

Exterior and Design

Front

  • Kia’s signature tiger-nose face

  • Star Map LED DRLs

  • Halogen headlamps (this is a base variant)

  • A bumper with silver trim and a sporty look

  • A large, wide bonnet that gives the car good road presence

Side Profile

  • A wide, long profile

  • Goodyear tyres, 195/65 R15 on 15-inch wheels with wheel caps

  • Good ground clearance

  • Body-coloured mirrors and door handles

  • Side indicators on the body panel. Higher variants don’t have them here, and a viewer once commented that they should, so this is a nice detail on the base variant.

  • The side step on my test car is an accessory.

  • It uses a basic key, and there is no central locking.

Rear

  • Piano black finish

  • LED tail lamps, connected at the sides but not in the middle

  • Reverse parking sensors

  • No rear defogger or wiper

Interior and Features

Dashboard and Controls

  • Plain black interior, with no D-cut steering wheel

  • Steering-mounted controls

  • Colour MID (multi-information display)

  • Auto Idle Stop/Start, which switches the engine off at red lights and restarts when you press the clutch or brake. You can turn it on or off.

  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)

  • A unique AC control panel

  • Silver AC vents

  • A plain gear knob

Convenience

  • All four power windows

  • Electrically adjustable mirrors, which are not foldable

  • A 12V socket and Type-C charging

  • Storage space for phones and small items, cup holders and a hand support with decent storage

  • Large door pockets for bottles

Music System
Kia doesn’t provide a music system in this variant, but there is space for one. You can fit your choice of system as an accessory, even from the showroom.

Sunroof
The HTE (O) gets a sunroof, which is rare in a base variant. You can fit a music system of your choice separately.

What the MID Shows

The colour multi-information display shows a lot of data:

  • Distance and fuel used since refuelling

  • Live average mileage

  • Accumulated trip info (litres consumed and km driven)

  • Tyre pressure monitor

  • Auto stop info

  • Lighting and convenience settings

  • Choice of fuel economy unit (km/l or l/100 km)

  • Multiple language options

Rear Seat and Space

The Sonet suits families who want comfort at the back, where three people usually sit.

  • At 5'7", I found plenty of legroom and good headroom.

  • The seats are comfortable, with good thigh support and good width.

  • The upholstery is a leatherette and fabric mix. The rear leatherette helps keep the seats clean.

  • You get rear AC vents and two Type-C charging ports.

  • Rear window curtains come even in the base variant, which is a feature normally seen in a higher segment. They help on long trips and in strong sun.

Boot Space

The boot is huge. Even if you fit a CNG kit later, you will have good space left.

  • Single bench seat, with no 60:40 or 50:50 split

  • No parcel tray, which you can add as an accessory

  • A spare wheel and tools are included

Engine and Specifications

FeatureDetailsEngine1.2 L Smartstream G-series petrolWheels15-inch with wheel capsTyresGoodyear 195/65 R15Ground clearanceGood (higher than most hatchbacks)Seating5SunroofYesSafetyESC, VSM, TPMS, rear sensors

Price in Delhi

  • Ex-showroom (Delhi): ₹7,87,900

  • On-road (approx.): ₹8,88,000

That is under ₹9 lakh on-road for an SUV with a sunroof. The price difference from the very base variant is about ₹43,000 ex-showroom. The Diwali festival offers vary by showroom, so ask before you book.

Who Should Buy the Kia Sonet HTE (O)?

  • Buyers who want an SUV with strong road presence on a budget

  • Families who need rear-seat comfort and a big boot

  • Anyone who wants a sunroof in a base variant

  • Buyers who plan to add a CNG kit and still want boot space

  • People who like to choose their own music system

Verdict

The Sonet HTE (O) doesn’t feel like a base variant. You get a sunroof, four power windows, rear curtains, ESC, a TPMS and a large boot at a budget price. The missing music system and the plain interior are small compromises, and you can fix them with accessories. If you also want an automatic or the higher variants, Kia has those too, but for value for money, this one is hard to beat. Watch the full walk-around on MS Auto Vlogs (https://www.youtube.com/@MSAutoVlogs), and if you like the video, subscribe and share it.