[Ripcord09]

Kia has recently introduced the updated Sonet in India, bringing significant enhancements both on the inside and outside (Review Link). The focus has been on incorporating additional features, notably Level 1 ADAS and a diesel engine with a manual gearbox.

Consequently, Kia has restructured Sonet's variant line-up. Here's a deep dive into all the variants on offer, which will help you identify the most valuable trim for your preferences.

Trims Breakdown

1. HTE

Top Features
- Halogen Headlamps
- Semi Leatherette Upholstery
- Front Armrest
- 15-inch Steel Wheels
- 4,2-inch MID Cluster
- Bench Rear Seat
- Manual AC
- Rear AC Vents
- 6 Airbags
- TPMS
- Hill Hold
- Electric ORVM
- Front Power Windows

2. HTK

Top Features Over HTE
- 16-inch Steel Wheels
- 8-inch Infotainment
- Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
- Rear-View Camera
- Height Adjustable Driver Seat
- Rear Sunshade
- All Door Power Windows

3. HTK+

Top Features Over HTK
- Electric Sunroof
- LED DRLs
- Rear LED Lightbar
- LED Fog Lamps
- Remote Engine Start (Select Powertrain Only)
- Smart Key (Select Powertrain Only)
- Automatic Climate Control

4. HTX

Top Features Over HTK+
- LED Headlamps
- Leatherette Steering Wheel
- Leatherette Seats (Select Powertrain Only)
- 60:40 Split Rear Seats
- Rear Center Armrest
- Manual Cruise Control
- ISOFIX Anchors
- Rear Disc Brakes
- Traction Modes (AT Only)
- Drive Modes (AT Only)
- Paddle Shifters (AT Only)
- Front Ventilated Seats (Select Powertrain Only)

5. HTX+

Top Features Over HTX
- 16-inch Crystal-Cut Alloy Wheels
- LED Ambient Lighting
- 10.25-inch Infotainment
- 10.25-inch Instrument Cluster
- Wireless Phone Charger
- Kia Connect
- Amazon Alexa & AI Voice Commands
- Auto IRVM
- Powered Driver Seats
- Rear Wiper & Wash
- 7-speaker Bose Audio

6. GTX+

Top Features Over HTX+
- Rear Spoiler
- Alloy Pedals
- Level 1 ADAS
- 360-degree Camera
- Blind View Monitor

7. X-Line

Top Features Over GTX+
- X-Line Exterior & Interior Upgrades
- All Power Windows One Touch Up/Down

Conclusion

The HTX variant seems the most value for money. It's available with almost all the transmission options for you to choose from. It also stands out for its abundant comfort and convenience features, including split rear seats, rear armrest, automatic climate control, advanced infotainment, wireless smartphone connectivity, and the cherry on top – an electric sunroof, among other amenities. Moreover, the jump from the HTK+ variant isn't much and you get a lot for the money you spend. Also, the jump to the HTX+ variant is significant enough and most of the features are related to the infotainment and gadgetry.

Do let us know what you think is the most value-for-money variant and also if you had to buy the Kia Sonet, which variant would you pick?

[Shreyans_Jain]

It is shameful that they are still treating rear wash-wipe as a luxury which is only there on the top two trims. This is a basic safety feature that should come standard with every variant of a car, especially at these price points.

[FAIAAA]

Voted HTX+ only for the added rear washer + wipe. Else HTX if it came with it.
Agree with the point made above, it's a utilitarian / safety feature and should be made available across all trims.

[BLACNWYTE]

I honestly believe that along with the ABS, ESC and 6 Air Bag as standard, the rear wash and wipe should also be made mandatory for hatchbacks, SUVs (micro, mini, medium and mega) and MUVs.
It always gets my goat that they used to give it in lower trims earlier but has removed as they went forward. Our 15 year old i10 sportz have rear wash and wipe along with rear defogger and vanity mirrors for both driver and passenger. Now you want wash and wipe you have to buy the top end trim.

So you can put 6 airbags, and all the connected tech wizardry but can't give rear was and wipe. I think it's grossly undervalued. I live in Kerala and it's about 6-9 months of rain here and I know how great it is to have a rear wash and wipe.

Innova is an overpriced product but it gives the rear wash and wipe from the base model itself. Now that's what others should follow not the stratospheric pricing.

*End rant*

[swiftnfurious]

Great spread out! I LOVE diesel and usable features. I find the HTX+ be the right one from a features standpoint. However it misses out on the 6AT for the diesel - that's a shame (or really smart from Kia - read below to see why!)

Else that'd have been the most perfect fit for me. So, if it's a manual, HTX+ it'd have been. But now, I got to select X-Line since the price difference between GTX+ & X-Line is hardly anything. That's a 1L that's wasted just because I don't get the 6AT on the variant I like.

[NT_GT]

Voted for HTK. It got everything that I need except for one-touch up-down of driver window.

[DCEite]

HTX in its 1.0 DCT avatar for me.

Has most of the essential features (6 Airbags, ESC, Hill hold, 4 wheel disc brakes, front parking sensors, One touch Auto up Down for driver, paddle shifters, leatherette seats etc etc ) plus good to have features (like ventilated seats, sunroof, cruise control, LED all lights etc. ).

I don't care for ADAS and 360 degree camera on the car as the car is compact enough and for my driving experience spanning 20 odd years (Ok I am not blowing own trumpet), I don't require 360 degree or ADAS (Are you kidding me ? Is that thing even useful for India ?)

What I wished though is that atleast the HTX came with better speakers. If not Bose, maybe they could have given a Harman/JBL 6 speaker setup. I am not even asking for subwoofer like the GT Line.

[m2maddy]

HTX with 1.0 DCT, it has everything one needs for both City/Highway drives without the ADAS/360 camera suite.
What I miss in HTX is the Rear wiper/washer which I feel should have been there, Alloys are a miss too but not a deal breaker.

[The21st]

HTK variant is really impressive for the price. 8 inch infotainment with wireless Android auto, seat height adjust, rear sunshades are the ones that favour in choosing HTK over HTE.
Also, safety features like 6 airbags are standard. It is a very tempting option for someone shopping for a hatchback.

[nisshith]

I saw the brochure, but nowhere it is mentioned that HTX has ventilated seats in the DCT variant. In the brochure, the HTX+ variant shows the ventilated seats and there is no variant of DCT/Deisel AT and HTX+.

Is this missing in the brochure?

[ashvek3141]

Originally Posted by nisshith

I saw the brochure, but nowhere it is mentioned that HTX has ventilated seats in the DCT variant. In the brochure, the HTX+ variant shows the ventilated seats and there is no variant of DCT/Deisel AT and HTX+.

Is this missing in the brochure?

Please don't refer the Kia brochures ; they're all messed up!

You can refer their official website , which is relatively better.

[Love4Cars]

From what I have observed with Kia over the years, there are 2 options for a buyer when buying a Kia:
Buy a lower VFM trim: HTK plus is that variant across Sonet, Seltos and Carens. This variant usually has all basic features covered across models. For Sonet specifically HTX was their most selling medium model earlier as it had Sunroof and now it has Ventilated Seats as well as per above posts.

HTX+ is the least VFM variant (and least selling) across as the difference between HTX+ and GTX+ usually isn't much.
Most buyers skip this and buy GTX+ or X-line depending upon interior/color choice.