Kia Sonet a total loss after a head-on crash: Now which car to buy?

I bought the diesel automatic variant after a lot of brainstorming & really liked it. Now, I’m once again in a dilemma about which vehicle to buy.

(The above picture is for representation purposes only.)

BHPian ashvek3141 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I shall be returning to this thread in just a year after purchasing my car, the Sonet D AT.

In a very unfortunate event that happened 2 weeks back, I met with a very serious accident with my car wherein I crashed head-on into one of the cement pillars of a flyover. I wouldn’t like to divulge much into the details of this as it pains me even to recollect the event and the fact the car is nearly beyond repair.

I am really thankful to the almighty and my well-wishers that I managed to come out with minor bruises, given the kind of impact it was! I simply cannot stress enough the importance of belting up, having a maximum number of airbags and more importantly a structurally well-built car.

Also, whatever the debate regarding the supposedly poor safety ratings of Kia cars; all I can say is, it’s the SONET which saved me from this horrific accident. If it was for any other car, say the likes of Maruti Suzuki; I wouldn’t have been sitting and writing this post. I really hope GNCAP test the Sonet / Venue and be done with the bad air about the suspicious “poor ratings” thing. I’m pretty sure it’ll score 4 stars, if not more.

Aside, the insurance claim formalities have begun and going by the initial estimate submitted by Kia, it looks to be a case of TOTAL LOSS! I am awaiting the official decision from the insurance company though.

Coming to the main part now – THE DILEMMA, yet AGAIN!

There is no denying the fact that the SONET D AT was a ‘complete’ car for me! Totally worthy upgrade from my Swift ZDi. I thoroughly enjoyed driving it for the last 1 year and 11,500 KMS. It was a pure enthusiast car, for me at least. Needless to say, it was VFM too.

Sadly, the same model has gotten expensive by over 1.20 L in the last year, majorly to blame the RDE norms. Sigh!

My current garage stands as under:

2015, Hyundai Creta SX+ P MT

• 8 years, Driven for 72,000 kms and absolutely in love with it. The car is Stage 1+ tuned by Wolf Moto and I have spruced it up with aftermarket rims, wider tires, dual-tone paint job, etc. Leaving aside the feature set, which anyway wasn’t upto the 2015 standards back then; this car is pure joy to own. Of course, there were a few share of niggle and issues that come with the early adopters; but they were all resolved duly and to my satisfaction by the ASS.
• I had plans of replacing this car with something better, maybe the 2023/4 Creta Facelift or the 5-seater SUV from Mahindra (XUV500) sometime next year; but now with this conundrum of the Sonet, Idk what to do. However, it stays for now, for how long? Idk.

2020 MS Ignis Sigma

• 2.5 Years, Driven for 35,000 kms. This is my wifey’s car and a very basic one at that! This is her 1st car when she learnt to drive about 3 years ago and hence went in for a very basic / cheap car, just to start with. Having said that, I absolutely detest driving this car! No offence to the Ignis owners and I also don’t mean that it doesn’t drive well. It’s good, pretty good actually for its size and that 1.2 L motor under the hood. But, it lacks all the features that I’m used to; even the basic ones!

The Sonet had spoilt me with the feel-good features and possibly this is the reason why I don’t enjoy this car that much. Aside, my parents too find it difficult to use this car as it’s too low for their liking (and mine too) given the fact that we’ve been used to high-seating cars since 2007! But again, for just the sheer driving thing, it’s for the very reason, I had plans of replacing this car with something like an EV and that would have kinda completed our garage – 1 NA Petrol, 1 Turbo-Diesel & 1 EV. I was actually eyeing the Tiago.EV or even the upcoming Punch EV. Alas, sometimes things don’t really go how you plan!

Anyway, now coming to the big question – Which car to fill in for the SONET?

Below are the thoughts that are running through my head currently. Idk if I’m thinking rationally yet. But it is, what it is.

My requirements

• PURE automatic (TC, DCT, CVT – absolute last option)
• High seating – Hence an SUV only, maybe
• Good looking
• Fun to drive
• Fuel type – BIG Question! – I just LOVE turbo-diesels!! However, this was easier about a year ago to pick one! But now which the stringent norms and some ridiculous govt. policies, I’m not quite sure if it would be the right move to go in for a diesel now. I had actually got the Sonet thinking that I would retain it for as long as I can, without a thought of selling it even after 10 years. But now I’m just confused about this as we simply cannot foresee what our beloved govt. has in store for diesel car lovers.

Cars in consideration

Kia Sonet D AT

• Needless to say how much I love this car! But the story is different a year later. Aside, from getting expensive by over a lakh INR, it has also lost some key features like the rear centre armrest! I cannot comprehend, why would Kia do such a stupid thing with such a basic feature.
• Aside, Idk what changes have been done to the 1.5 L CRDi engine with the new RDE norms which focus primarily on emissions and fuel efficiency. Are the new BS-6.2 engines just as good to drive as the ones before? Are they tamed down to boost efficiency? Furthermore, now even the 1.5 L engines need a Urea top up unlike before.

Nexon Facelift

• Off late Nexon has been selling like hotcakes, even beating the segment leader – MS Brezza. And all of this in spite of MS launching an updated Brezza. Really speaks volumes about this car. However, I do feel that the primary reason for the masses going for this car is the solid 5-star safety rating more than anything else.
• No PURE Diesel Auto is a big downer here. Having said that, there are rumours that the facelift will come with better automatics. The 1.2 L turbo-petrol DCT looks to be happening, but nothing on the Diesel TC yet; which I doubt if it will ever happen.
• A major con with the turbo-petrol DCTs is the abysmal FEs that we see for enthusiast-driving and even city-driving conditions. I am simply not used to seeing single-digit FE figures, EVER! even my Creta return healthy FE figures for its size.
• The launch is also not certain yet. TML is still in the testing phases.

TATA Punch EV

• Like I mentioned above, I have been eyeing an EV in the garage and the Punch makes perfect sense. Given the spy shots and updates, seems like TATA is loading the Punch with some good features.
• Also, given the pricing of earlier EVs, I presume TATA will do a decent job here. No denying the fact that EVs are still very expensive.
• Having said that, this will come with the cons associated with EVs like range anxiety, charging availability on road trips, etc. As opposed to regular ICEs, EVs need proper planning for long road trips and this becomes all the more difficult when one is travelling with family.
• I still feel we’re not quite ready to have an EV as our 1st or even 2nd car. Just my thought though.

Mahindra THAR D AT

• This is not a car, it’s an EMOTION!
• Possibly the YOLO thing kicked in after the chain of events, or possibly I’m not thinking straight. However, this will blow up my budget by significant amounts though!
• Also, not that I didn’t have an option of Thar when I picked up the Sonet a year ago, but we had just 2 cars in the garage back then, and both needed to be of proper utility. Cars like Thar generally negate that, as they are purely for lifestyle purposes. To me, THAR is strictly a 2-seater. I cannot see my elderly parents climbing into the back seat.
• Anyway, I’m still not completely ruling this out. But yes, budget is definitely a concern here.
• Also, if I end up picking the Thar, then the Ignis will definitely need a replacement ASAP. Like I said, it is not quite what I (and my parents) enjoy driving / driven around.

So ya, this is all that I’m considering for now as a replacement and possible replacement plans for the other cars in my garage. This accident has really taken a toll – mentally, physically and financially. But then, there is only so much that you can do other than just accepting what it is and moving on; hoping for something good to happen in the future.

I would appreciate your inputs to help me in my dilemma, yet again and if possible also help to add in a few other options that I can consider.

Here’s what BHPian car_guy1998 had to say about the matter:

It’s very unfortunate to know that your Sonet D AT met with an accident. And, I’m glad that you are safe.

Since your Sonet had met with an accident, can I suggest you get another one albeit in GTX+ D AT trim, which has better features than your HTX D AT and gets 6 airbags as well? Also, I can see that you got connected to the Sonet’s engine+gearbox combo.

And, getting a Thar D AT is also a good option as long as your parents are satisfied with it.

Here’s what BHPian bijims had to say about the matter:

Extremely unfortunate incident and I am truly saddened by the loss you had to suffer.

Now, moving to the future, If you can manage with these two cars for 2-3 months, I think the Nexon Facelift will be a good option for you, considering it gets a DCA with a 1.2 Litre petrol engine, I doubt if the Diesel will get a better gearbox even with the facelift and will most likely continue with the AMT, but if you need a car quickly I have got quite an interesting proposition for you, I know the Seltos facelift is around the corner, but dealers are giving out the top of the line X-Line Seltos Diesel ATs at around 2 lakhs discount if you can get your hands on one now, or at least book one for delivery later, you could get an upgrade from your Sonet at just a small price hike.

Or, considering it’s similar in size to the Creta you can avoid >4 metre SUVs altogether and get a Jimny or Thar, even a facelift Nexon EV would be a good option.

If you need any help getting your hands on a current-gen Kia Seltos at good discounts, I can help, you can DM me anytime!

Moreover, your first reviews of the Sonet D-AT were the ones that encouraged us to get the X-Line and HTX Diesel ATs for our family members and a great thank you for that!, we have also booked an X-Line Diesel AT for my uncle and already pre-booked the Seltos facelift as well!, so any help with Kia, I would be glad to help!

Hope this Helps!

Here’s what BHPian jessie007 had to say about the matter:

Sorry to hear about the accident. Glad to hear that the vehicle’s safety features protected you enough. Having said that, no India-made sub-20 lakh Hyundai or Kia has scored more than 3 stars in NCAP safety ratings. On the other hand, Maruti has both the old Brezza (a competitor to the Sonet) & newer variant (shares platform with Toyota Urban Cruiser) awarded a solid 4 stars in NCAP safety rating. Along with the S-cross, these are a few of the safer cars in the MS portfolio.

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