Kia Sonet 2024 vs Maruti Suzuki Brezza

After a series of spy images, test runs and teasers, Kia has finally launched the 2024 Kia Sonet facelift. With deliveries set to begin from mid-January, the Sonet’s promising package will now lock horns with competitors across the segment. Considering that the Sonet is the latest facelift to hit the market, the biggest competitor to the Sonet’s reign would be the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, which is one of the best-selling facelifts of recent times. Both SUVs offer exceptional cosmetic and feature upgrades over their already exciting pre-facelift packages and are truly an embodiment of what a balanced facelift should be like. And now that the Sonet is ready to hit the roads, it will be exciting to see how both SUVs pitch head-on. So here’s a head-on comparison of the 2024 Kia Sonet facelift head-on against the Maruti Suzuki Brezza.

Kia Sonet 2024 vs Maruti Suzuki Brezza: Dimensions

As far as dimensions go, the head-on comparison above makes it clear that both SUVs are neck-to-neck regarding dimensions and overall silhouette. But with that said, there is still a bit of a difference, and that is in the Brezza’s height which is about 43 mm higher. This gives the Brezza an edge over the Sonet facelift, giving it a bit of a beefier look at least when it comes to the height. 

Other than that both SUVs offer a compact look that is easy to drive and maneuver throughout the city. Both the Sonet facelift as well as the Maruti Suzuki Brezza come with modern-day and contemporary looks, that are well-balanced with a sporty SUV stance. Both SUVs also offer 200 mm of ground clearance along with a good 2500 mm of wheelbase that translates to a smooth ride over potholes along with ample leg and shoulder room across the cabin. Coming to the looks, while the Sonet facelift offers a rather elegant and contemporary look, the Brezza on the other hand, comes with a sporty and muscular look.

Overall, when compared head-on, both SUVs offer a balanced and compact stance that is bred for the city.  

Kia Sonet 2024 vs. Maruti Suzuki Brezza: Engine and Transmission

One look at the engine comparison above and you’ll realise that even though the two SUVs are similar in terms of dimensions, it is the engine game where the real difference lies. Talking about the Kia Sonet facelift, the SUV is offered with two petrol engines onboard including a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol. In comparison, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza on the other hand offers only a single petrol engine onboard, which is a larger 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a smart hybrid onboard with the automatic transmission. 

When it comes to the turbocharged engine, the Sonet’s 1.0-litre unit comes in as a peppy and power-packed unit that packs in a lot of punch. The engine is available with a 6-speed iMT manual and a 7-speed DCT that is a bliss to drive around, with effortless shifting and exhilarating performance. The Brezza on the other hand, misses out on a turbocharged unit, thereby allowing the Sonet to take the win. Even the mileage onboard the turbo petrol engine is quite impressive at up to 19.2 km/l for automatic and up to 18.7 km/l for manual, with idle start-stop now offered as standard.

In terms of the naturally aspirated engine however, the Brezza absolutely shines with a bigger and more powerful 1.5-litre unit, which is far more refined compared to the Sonet’s 1.2-litre engine. This gives the Brezza 20 PS of additional power along with 22 NM of additional peak torque, when compared to the Sonet, resulting in much more exciting driving dynamics, especially when sudden bursts of power are needed. Talking about the transmission, the Brezza’s bigger 1.5-litre engines take another win with a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed AMT on offer, compared to the Sonet’s sole 5-speed manual. A lack of an automatic onboard the Sonet’s naturally aspirated engine is a big turn-off, especially considering the traffic situations these days. 

Coming to the mileage, the smaller 1.2-litre unit of the Seltos returns an impressive mileage of up to 18.83 km/l, while on the other hand, the Brezza, despite offering a bigger engine returns exceptional mileage figures of up to 17.38 km/l with manual and up to 19.80 km/l with automatic trims that come with a smart hybrid onboard. For extra savings, the Brezza also comes in CNG trims that offer a mileage of up to 25.51 km/kg with reduced power of 88 PS with 121.5 Nm of torque mated to a sole 5-speed manual.

Overall, when considering the petrol versions of both SUVs, for those who are looking to buy a turbo-powered SUV, the KIA Sonet Facelift is hands down the ultimate winner, but for those who are looking to buy the naturally aspirated petrol version, the Brezza comes in as a much better option in every way.

The diesel engine dynamics is where the KIA Sonet facelift takes the undisputed win since the Brezza misses out on a diesel engine altogether. With that said, the diesel engine onboard the Sonet is a good one with ample power and torque at its disposal, offering balanced and punchy driving dynamics along with great mileage that goes as high as 22.3 km/l. This engine offers three transmission options including a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed iMT and a 6-speed AMT.

Kia Sonet 2024 vs. Maruti Suzuki Brezza: Features and Comfort

One look at the interiors and one would know that both the SUVs are loaded in terms of onboard features and comfort. When pitched head-on, the KIA Sonet being the latest offering comes with additional features that the Brezza seems to miss out on. These include features such as a bigger touch infotainment, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 4-way powered driver’s seat, voice-controlled power windows and front ventilated seats. 

On the other hand, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza also comes in as a premium and modern-day SUV that is topped with a variety of modern-day features. However, considering that the Brezza has now completed a year and a half, the onboard features are impressive but not the latest and greatest. However, despite everything, certain features such as paddle shifters and heads-up displays are still a Brezza thing.

Overall, the feature game is where Sonet Facelift takes an edge considering that it is the latest compact SUV offering in the market. The Brezza however does not disappoint in any way and is packed with great features onboard.

Kia Sonet 2024 vs. Maruti Suzuki Brezza: Safety Features

When it comes to safety there is no doubt that Maruti has improved substantially offering great onboard safety features across trims. However, when pitched against the Sonet, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza seems dated, as the Kia Sonet does exceptionally well when it comes to safety. 

With 6 airbags as standard along with additional safety features such as all four disc brakes, front parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring system, the Sonet shines high in the safety department. The cherry on the cake is the fact that the Sonet Facelift now comes with Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) onboard and offers advanced safety features such as:

• Forward Collision Warning
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (Pedestrian, Car and Cyclists)
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Lane Following Assist
• Leading Vehicle Departure Alert
• High Beam Assist and 
• Driver Attention Warning.

Thus, when compared head-on, the all-new KIA Sonet is miles ahead of the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, thanks to the latest and greatest safety offerings onboard including ADAS.

Kia Sonet 2024 vs Maruti Suzuki Brezza: Price Comparison

When it comes to the price comparison, the KIA Sonet Facelift comes with a seven-trim lineup that includes HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX, HTX+, GTX+ and X-LINE. The trims are spread across 19 variants. On the other hand, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza’s variant lineup is spread across 4 trims, including the LXi, VXi, ZXi and ZXi+ which is spread across 15 varinats.

While both SUVs have ample variants to choose from, it is the Maruti Suzuki Brezza that offers the overall price advantage in each trim. While the Sonet has a more affordable base variant, the upper end of the base variant demarcation the Brezza offers a savings of about Rs. 55 thousand. The scenario is the same for the mid-level trims where the Sonet offers a price advantage at the lower end, while the Brezza shines at the upper end.

For the upper mid-trim levels, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza starts to offer better value at both ends with savings of about Rs. 45,000 at the lower end and about Rs. 1.68 Lakh at the upper end. The same is the case for the top-end trims where the savings go as high as Rs. 2.02 Lakhs at the lower end to Rs. 1.55 Lakh at the upper end.

Thus as far as price is concerned, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza is undoubtedly better value for money, especially for those considering the upper-mid and top-end trims. But with that said, the Sonet Facelift does offer better in terms of safety along with better features across trims, making it highly value-for-money despite a dearer price tag. Moreover, with a larger variant spread, the Sonet offers more to choose from.

Kia Sonet 2024 vs. Maruti Suzuki Brezza: Summary

Be it the Kia Sonet Facelift or the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, both cars offer a highly attractive package that has everything one needs in a compact SUV, including features, comfort, performance and value. While the Sonet Facelift comes in as a contemporary and elegant-looking SUV, the Brezza on the other hand stands as a muscular and sportier option. Coming to the performance and engine, the Sonet Facelift offers three equally capable engines including a turbocharged petrol and diesel engine, the Brezza on the other hand comes only with a naturally aspirated petrol engine, but in a larger and more power-packed version. While the Sonet shines on its turbo power and diesel punch, the Brezza excels the naturally aspirated petrol engine.

Feature-wise, both SUVs are packed, but the Sonet offers a little more being the latest offering. Safety is where the Sonet completely shines, with almost all modern-day safety tech onboard. Finally coming on to the price, while the Brezza shines with its affordability and value, the Sonet Facelift justifies its price with a lot more offered in every trim.