Why I bought a Kia Sonet DCT after cancelling my Maruti Jimny booking

With the Jimny, I’d not only be spending more on the sticker price, I’d also spend on new tires and kitting up the interiors with utilitarian comforts

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So after waiting for the Jimny launch for five months and a subsequent ridiculous pricing led cancellation later, we were left looking for a replacement car for my wife’s WagonR AT.

Stretching till 20L was doable as long as the car justified its pricing to a large degree. In the consideration set was the Creta and Seltos even though they were a lot bigger than what we wanted. Turns out that both of the cars had discontinued the DCT versions because of the BS6 norms.

While at the Kia Showroom, I saw a matte grey Sonet and REALLY liked its looks and size. Then figured that it had a DCT (I was really vary of the CVT boxes after the WagonR nonsense).

Took it for a test drive, and really liked the performance (for the price point) and the feature rich offering.

So went home and did a comparison with the Jimny for features that mattered to us, and listed out the ones where there were differences:

We live in Gurgaon. The car is going to live 90% of its life in the city. Another 5-8% is going to be on the highway, getting to the mountains. And maybe 2-5% is going to be in the rough. Creature comforts matter, especially if you plan to use the car for anything more than an hour at a stretch. With the Jimny, I’d not only be spending more on the sticker price, I’d also spend on new tires and kitting up the interiors with utilitarian comforts and that’d push the final price to an insufferable point.

Post this discussion it was a no-brainer, and we booked the Sonet.

Later figuring that the matte paint finish would be a pain to maintain, we picked up the black because it was ready for instant delivery (we’d waited too long by now).

Shopped around for loan rates and insurance quotes. Worked them in, and got the delivery on 22nd June.

Initial impressions:

• I finally understand why I see so many KIAs. SO.MANY.FEATURES.
• The remote start is a god-send. I start the car before changing into outside clothes, and it is cool by the time I am ready to drive off.
• The music system is really nice. I play a lot of electro & rock, and it does justice to both genres.
• I’m used to more low end torque, so the car does give a small car vibe. Till the turbo kicks in. Then it’s fun. Unless you keep it in sports mode, where it’s all GO.
• Ventilated seats. An absolutely amazing feature ALL cars in India should have.
• AC. It’s insanely good. I am an AC freak, and even I’ve had to increase the temperature by a few notches in the evenings / rainy days. My brother’s Jeep Compass S(O) feels like a slob in comparison.
• No request sensor on the passenger side. Why?
• The steering feels light. I’m used to more weight and feedback. Not very confidence inspiring.
• Front parking sensors. Yes. Absolutely yes.
• Auto IRVM. Such a feel good factor. Works really well.
• Very good quality of plastics.
• I stopped the car on a steep-ish rutted incline and it picked up from a dead stop in standard drive mode minus any fuss. Full marks there.
• I’m 5’7″ and have found the arm rest useful if I rest my hand on the gear lever. Was expecting it to be useless, but it isn’t. Could be better. But not entirely a waste.
• Anyone who lives in the NCR knows the importance of an air-purifier. I am floored that it is available in cars of this segment now.
• Brakes are really bitey. Takes a bit of getting used to.
• No backlit door controls. They could have removed the jazzy LED show in the doors (which looks really cheap) and made the controls backlit.
• LED headlamps are very good. The foglamps should have been white / LED too.
• KIA needs to make sure that the stuff from their accessory list is available in the showrooms. A lot of usable items are on back-order / not available.
• Why so much chrome? Just. Why?
• Wireless car-play is a surprising omission. You’ve nearly everything. Why skimp on this?

To be honest, I am so impressed that I will be looking at the Seltos as the upgrade for my Brezza, in the next year. Unless the Creta comes looking like the Tucson, the five door Thar comes feature loaded or someone else comes with an AWD AT in the price range, KIA will have our hard earned money. Yet again.

Keyword: Why I bought a Kia Sonet DCT after cancelling my Maruti Jimny booking