Kia Seltos vs Kia Sonet Comparison 2026: Price, Mileage, Features

Comparison overview: The Kia Seltos starts at ₹11.00 L and the Kia Sonet at ₹7.41 L, a difference of ₹3.59 L ex-showroom. On-road in New Delhi that gap becomes roughly ₹3.98 L. Here is what the extra money actually buys.

Engine and performance: Both cars use the same 1493cc Diesel/Petrol engine and Automatic/Manual gearbox, so performance will not decide this for you. Price, features and boot space will.

Mileage and running cost: The Kia Seltos Diesel/Petrol Automatic/Manual is rated at 15.6 kmpl to 19.4 kmpl and the Kia Sonet Diesel/Petrol Automatic/Manual at 24.1 kmpl,18.4 kmpl. At 1,000 km a month, the Kia Sonet saves you about ₹2.03 K a month and ₹24.42 K a year on fuel.

Space and practicality: The Kia Seltos takes 447 litres against 385, about 62 litres more. That is roughly one extra cabin-size bag of extra room.

What one gives that the other does not: The Kia Seltos adds Child Safety Locks, Hill Descent Control, Wheel Covers, Wheel Size and Petrol Fuel Tank Capacity. The Kia Sonet adds Anti-Theft Alarm, Traction Control, Anti-Theft Device, Anti-Pinch Power Windows and 360 View Camera. The rest of both spec sheets is shared.

Which one should you buy?

Buy the Kia Sonet if you drive mostly in the city, you want the lower running cost, and you would rather keep the ₹3.59 L for your down payment than spend it on features.

Buy the Kia Seltos if you do regular highway runs, you carry luggage or a pram often, and you want Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) without waiting for the next facelift.

The one thing that settles it: Kia Seltos offers Child Safety Locks.

Before you sign anything:

Ex-showroom price is not what you pay. Add registration, road tax, insurance and handling, and expect the final figure to land ten to twelve percent higher. Road tax changes state to state, so a car that costs the same in two cities does not cost the same to own.

Ask the dealer four things before you book. What is the current waiting period for the variant you want. What is the on-road figure.

Then drive both cars back to back on the same day, on a road you actually use. Take your family. Put your usual luggage in the boot. Most people decide in the first ten minutes, and it is rarely for the reason they expected.