The Brezza 2022 has been updated and refreshed to take on the likes of the Kia Sonet. In the comparison of Vitara Brezza vs Kia Sonet, Maruti Suzuki has upped the ante in terms of features, price and variants. But the Kia Sonet offers strong competition in the sub-compact SUV segment. Can it take on the Maruti Suzuki Brezza that has been the best seller in this category?
The Kia Sonet has some key differences from the Brezza in terms of luggage space, features and fuel economy. The Sonet has a larger boot and cargo carrying capacity, has more features as compared to the Brezza and offers better fuel efficiency.
The Brezza on the other hand provides better space in the cabin for occupants. When it comes to safety, the Brezza is well equipped with dual front airbags, ABS with an EBD braking system, hill assist functions and a reverse parking camera with sensors. The Brezza also gets 4-stars in the Global NCAP rating system for safety standards. A testament to Maruti Suzuki’s strong build quality.
Let’s take a closer look at the Vitara Brezza vs Kia Sonet sub-compact SUVs and decide which is the better car.
Vitara Brezza vs Kia Sonet – Engine
The Kia Sonet packs a punch thanks to its refined engine and gearbox. Performance is smooth and peppy while being frugal at the same time. There are 3 powertrain options for the Sonet. A 1.2 litre petrol engine (naturally aspirated) producing 81 bhp / 172 Nm. It gets a 5-speed manual transmission. Next on offer is a 3-cylinder turbo petrol (1.0 litre) making 117 bhp / 172 Nm. The turbo petrol gets the option of either a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. Kia also offers a 1.5 litre diesel engine (112 bhp / 250 Nm) that gets either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
The Maruti Brezza gets just one engine option. It is powered by the K15C 1.5 litre petrol, four-cylinder unit producing a maximum power output of 103 bhp and a peak torque of 138 Nm. The engine features Dual VVT (Variable Valve Timing) and DualJet Technology for better performance and fuel efficiency. This is the same engine that can be found on the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. Transmission options on offer include a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
Kia Sonet or Brezza – Which is better in terms of exterior and interior features?
Kia released a refreshed version of the Sonet on April 8th, 2022. It continues to offer the same stylistic design as the previous generation with its signature Kia grille that features the tiger-nose front end. It gets LED headlamps and projector fog lights with LED DRLs. The Sonet rides on 16-inch alloys and the rear receives LED taillights. The roof is equipped with functional roof rails. A newly designed Sonet logo wraps up the rear.
Interiors of the Sonet have a refreshing two tone colour scheme and seat upholstery options. It can be fitted with an all-leather interior for that added suppleness and comfort. On the safety front, there are front and side airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system and ABS with an EBD braking system. Convenience features include a digital instrument binnacle, and a range of electronic stability programs to make life for the driver easier. There is a Kia connect feature, reclining rear seats and a rear-view mirror that has an integrated Kia Connect button.
The 2022 Maruti Suzuki Brezza gets a facelift to differentiate it from the previous model. A new front end with a sleek grille is flanked by projector LED headlamps and twin shaped LED DRLs. The grille features chrome inserts and there are new front and rear bumpers with a dual tone skid plate. The Brezza rides on 16-inch alloy wheels while the blacked-out A, B and C pillars provide a sporty look. The rear end receives an integrated spoiler, high mounted stop lamp and a shark fin antenna. The Brezza is definitely a good looker from all angles.
Interiors of the Brezza get special features with this update. There is now an electric sunroof, paddle shifter for the enthusiast driver (although the engine lacks mid-range punch), a Heads-Up Display, Suzuki Connect features, a sporty flat bottomed steering wheel and a floating touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety features for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza include six airbags (dual front airbags plus side airbags) and an electronic stability programme.
Vitara Brezza vs Kia Sonet – Comparisons of specifications, features and price
The Kia Sonet and Maruti Suzuki Brezza are priced on an even setting at just over 7 lakhs. Kia Sonet HTE 1.2 litre petrol variant costs Rs. 7.49 lakh average ex-showroom while the Maruti Suzuki Brezza LXi 1.4 litre petrol is priced at 7.99 lakh average ex-showroom.
Here is a breakdown of their specifications and features.
| Kia Sonet HTE 1.2 | Maruti Suzuki Brezza LXi | |
| Engine | 1197 cc, 4 cylinders, DOHC | 1462 cc, 4 cylinders, DOHC |
| Type of Engine | Smartstream G 1.2 | K15 C Smart Hybrid |
| Fuel Type | Petrol | Petrol |
| Power (bhp) | 82 bhp @ 6000 rpm | 102 bhp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque (Nm) | 115 bhp @ 4200 rpm | 136.8 Nm @ 4400 rpm |
| Fuel Economy (kmpl) | 18.4 kmpl | 20.1 kmpl |
| Drivetrain | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | 5-speed Manual | 5-speed Manual |
| Emission Standard | BS6 | BS6 |
| Regenerative braking | No | Yes |
| Length (mm) | 3995 mm | 3995 mm |
| Width (mm) | 1790 mm | 1790 mm |
| Height (mm) | 1610 mm | 1685 mm |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2500 mm | 2500 mm |
| Boot space (litres) | 392 litres | 328 litres |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (litres) | 45 litres | 48 litres |
| Front Suspension | McPherson Strut / Coil Spring | McPherson Strut / Coil Spring |
| Rear Suspension | Coupled Torsion Beam Axle / Coil Spring | Torsion Beam / Coil Spring |
| Front Brake | Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brake | Drum | Drum |
| Steering Type | Power Steering (Electric) | Power Steering (Electric) |
| Wheels | Steel | Steel |
| Front Tyres | 195 / 65 R15 | 215 / 60 R16 |
| Rear Tyres | 195 / 65 R15 | 216 / 60 R16 |
| Overspeed Warning | Yes | Yes |
| Airbags | 4 Airbags | 2 Airbags |
| Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | Yes | No |
| Seatbelt Warning | Yes | Yes |
| ABS | Yes | Yes |
| EBD | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic Stability Program | No | Yes |
| Hill Hold Control | No | Yes |
| Air Conditioning | Manual A/c | Manual A/c |
| Front A/c | Single Zone | Single Zone |
| Rear A/c | Blower – Vents behind armrest | Blower – Vents behind armrest |
| Parking Sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Steering Adjustment | Tilt | Tilt |
| 12 Volt Power Outlet | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Seat | 6 ways adjustable | 8 ways adjustable |
| Seat Upholstery | Fabric plus leatherette | Fabric |
| Battery Warranty (km) | No | Not Applicable |
| Warranty (years) | 3 years | 2 years |
| Warranty (km) | Unlimited | 40,000 km |
Vitara Brezza versus Kia Sonet – Pros and Cons
The new Brezza 2022 looks sculpted and has an appealing design as compared to the older generation which was a little boxy.
The Sonet is based on the Hyundai Venue platform and is sort of a scaled down version of a larger SUV.
Here are some pros and cons of the Vitara Brezza vs Kia Sonet.
Pros of the Vitara Brezza
- Has a real SUV look and feel with improved road presence and wider appeal
- The whole package is well rounded and has something for every car buyer
- The engine is a good performer. It is BS6 compliant and the Smart Hybrid technology offers good fuel economy
- The transmission is a smooth shifter, and the paddle shifts make it feel sporty.
- The suspension is well suited to bumpy roads. 16-inch wheels give the compact SUV good road manners and 215/60 profile tyres provide good grip
- Cabin is spacious and has lots of storage space for items. The A/c is powerful and cools well.
- Has a long feature list including a sunroof, 360-degree camera and connected car features. The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system is paired to a high-fidelity stereo sound system
- Maruti Suzuki has a wide dealership network, prompt after sales service and the ownership experience is hassle free due to the Brezza’s reliability
Cons of the Maruti Brezza
- The new generation Brezza is more of a glorified facelift than a complete platform change
- Maruti Suzuki does not offer diesel engines for the time being. A CNG variant is in the pipeline but customers will have to do with just the petrol engine for now
- The K15C engine lacks outright power. It is tuned to provide good fuel efficiency and is a capable highway sprinter. Brisk acceleration is somewhat lacking
- The automatic version of the Brezza is a bit expensive compared to rivals
- The interior fit and finish is not the most premium. Plastics are hard and don’t reflect quality
- Gear ratios are short for the 5-speed manual which makes the engine a little busy to keep in the right rev range
- Cargo space is lacking. The Brezza could do better with a bigger boot
Kia Sonet Pros
- The Kia Sonet is a small SUV that gives the feeling of a larger vehicle, albeit with compact dimensions
- Styling is striking and has a mass market appeal. It has been said the Sonet is one of the best-looking compact SUVs
- Several variants and engine option on offer. There is also a turbo-petrol for the enthusiast
- The automatic transmission is smooth and refined. Paired with the Diesel engine, it is an excellent combination
- The Sonet has good ground clearance and the suspension offers stable ride and handling at all speeds
- Plenty of safety equipment including airbags, electronic stability control, hill assist and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
- The Bose stereo sound system offers an unparalleled audio experience
- Feature list is impressive. The Sonet gets ventilated front seats, electronic sunroof, cruise control and wireless charging
Kia Sonet Cons
- Rear seats lack adequate space and can just about seat 2 adults due to the restricted legroom. This makes the Sonet a four-seater at best
- Top end variants of the Sonet are pricey. You do get a lot of features but it burns a hole in your pocket
- The Dual Clutch Transmission has some issues with reliability
- Although there is a Sonet variant at several price points, narrowing down on the perfect combination of budget and equipment is sort of difficult
- The turbo petrol engine does not feature a manual transmission option
Conclusion
The new Maruti Suzuki Brezza 2022 is eyeing for leadership in the sub compact SUV segment and is well on its way there. When it comes to safety, smart features, cabin space and refinement, the new Brezza is leagues ahead of its rivals. It isn’t the most affordable compact SUV on the market but comes with many first in segment features. The K15C engine continues to offer excellent performance and fuel efficiency. The well-connected service and after sales network work in favour of the Brezza’s high sales numbers, outgunning its rivals such as the Vitara Brezza vs Kia Seltos. There is no doubt that the Brezza will remain a favourite for a long time.
The Kia Sonet has immaculate styling on its side, no doubt it is one of the best-looking compact SUVs on the road. It has a unique design which shares a lot of characteristics with the Kia Seltos such as the tiger-nose grille and sleek LED headlights with DRLs. The Sonet engine variants provide satisfying performance and the gearboxes are slick and refined. Overall, the driving experience is pleasant. Combine this with a soft suspension setting that can soak up bumps on the road, and you are left with good ride and handling. It performs well in both city settings and out on the highway.
Although both compact SUVs are closely matches, you will be inclined towards the Brezza for its spacious cabin and strong build quality. But the Sonet feels a little more premium than the Brezza when it comes to interior refinement, materials and features. The all-important boot space of the Sonet is also one point where it scores higher than the Brezza.
If you are looking for a packed feature list and several engine options, the Sonet is the better bet. While the Brezza is the option you need if you are looking for a comfortable cabin and wide service network to maintain your car. The Brezza will also offer excellent resale value when it comes time to upgrade your ride.
If you liked this article, Check out other great articles on the Carorbis Blog and you may also want to read about the Brezza vs Creta, another interesting article is Kia Low Budget Cars In India.
