Kia Sonet vs Maruti Suzuki Fronx Comparison Review: Turbo Face-Off

Until now, if you were to ask me for recommendations in the sub-4 metre SUV space, my go-to suggestion would be the Kia Sonet. It boasts a fantastic design, and a luxurious interior, and is packed with features. What sets it apart is its appeal to enthusiasts, thanks to a powerful turbo petrol engine. However, my stance shifted with the introduction of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx. Since its launch earlier this year, the premium crossover has achieved impressive sales, creating a divide among customers. Both these cars have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, so the idea is to find the ideal turbocharged subcompact SUV. Which brand will take the crown? Maruti Suzuki or Kia? Let's find out.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx vs Kia Sonet: Exterior

The Kia Sonet has undeniably held its ground since its 2020 debut, maintaining its visual appeal without the need for a major facelift. Its charm has managed to capture the quintessential appeal of a subcompact SUV, making it a compelling choice for buyers.

On the flip side, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx enters the scene with a distinctive crossover body style, demanding attention on the road. While I can see its initial resemblance to the Baleno, Maruti has successfully carved out a unique identity for the Fronx, thanks to a superior wheelbase and a styling approach that sets it apart. Now, choosing between these two aesthetically pleasing cars becomes quite a challenging task.

Position the Sonet and the Fronx side-by-side, and you'll understand my point. Both these vehicles exude a muscular stance, showcasing a smart and chic design accentuated by sleek headlamps and DRLs. The strategic use of chrome, along with tasteful blacked-out claddings and 16-inch alloys, contributes to a rugged yet sporty appeal for both models.

In the broader context, I find Sonet's design to be well-rounded, leaving little room for contention. However, credit is due to Maruti for skillfully differentiating the Fronx from its Baleno roots, demonstrating a commendable effort in creating a distinct visual identity.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx vs Kia Sonet: Tech & Interior

Things become even clearer once you step inside both the Fronx and the Sonet. With the former, Maruti has retained the overall theme from the Baleno, which isn't a bad thing. Still, I do wish a bit more effort went into adding differentiating factors to go with its premium status under the Nexa umbrella. Nevertheless, a heavily contoured dashboard crafted with soft-touch materials creates a high-quality environment. The equipment list is also commendable for its class, with the top-tier Alpha variant employing a 9.0-inch touchscreen sourced from the Baleno.

The lower trims, though, settle for a smaller 7-inch unit. This larger unit stands out for its responsiveness, high resolution, and features including voice commands, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Over-The-Air updates. The Smartplay Pro+ system in the Alpha trim adds a modern touch, complemented by push-button start/stop, cruise control, a functional 360-degree camera, fast USB charging ports, and a decent 6-speaker sound system.

On the other hand, the Sonet GT Line has a distinctive character that shines through with all-black interiors with red stitching. The plush, well-contoured seats, and soft faux leather upholstery contribute to a premium ambience. However, the AC controls get a somewhat bland appearance with the absence of physical knobs for fan speed or temperature controls.

On the positive side, the Sonet compensates with an impressive features list, including a larger 10.25-inch centre screen, ventilated seats, an in-built air purifier, dependable Bose sound system, as well as Drive and Traction modes. Storage space is not the best but has decent amount of space for the front and the rear passengers.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx vs Kia Sonet: Dimensions

Space is a significant talking point, especially in this segment, and both cars have loads of it. Despite the different body shapes, I appreciate that both Maruti Suzuki and Kia have managed to offer a substantial amount of roominess not just to the front passengers but also to the rear passengers, as evident from the table below. However, what matters is which one offers the maximum comfort.

As I slide into the front seat of the Fronx, the familiar springy softness, akin to the Baleno, adds an extra layer of comfort. The rear space proves to be excellent, offering ample room for tall passengers (I'm 5'9 for reference), to stretch out. While I miss an armrest, it allows space for a third passenger. Notably, the Fronx takes a thoughtful step by providing an adjustable headrest for the middle passenger. However, the boot, while not particularly large by class standards, presents a notable challenge with its high lip, making the task of lifting heavy luggage over it quite cumbersome.

In the Sonet, though, inadequate knee room and headroom disappointed me to a large extent. The seats offer a comfortable experience with good support, but I find the headrests to be slightly too firm. It can be blamed due to its compact nature, but accommodating three passengers at the back is not ideal.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx vs Kia Sonet: Engine & Transmission

Now to the important part of this comparison – the powertrain options. Both the Sonet and the Fronx feature a turbo petrol unit, but I find Maruti's absence in the diesel department to be a noticeable drawback. The Sonet takes the lead by offering two petrol options, a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre variant and a larger 1.5-litre diesel along with the more powerful turbo-charged petrol unit, coupled with a slew of gearbox choices.

On the other hand, the Fronx presents a turbo petrol unit available with manual or automatic transmissions from the Delta+ variant onwards. Additionally, the Fronx offers the reliable 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol, which has proven to be the preferred choice among buyers, according to Maruti.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx vs Kia Sonet: Performance Check

Both the Fronx and Sonet share a 998 cc displacement, ensuring a level playing field. However, the power figures favour the Kia Sonet, giving it a clear advantage in terms of power. When it comes to torque, the Sonet also holds an edge surpassing the Fronx. The superior torque output, especially at lower rpm, contributes to better acceleration and responsiveness.

But testing the 0-100 kmph run between the two revealed a completely different story. The Fronx showed a better pick-up at launch with quicker gear shifts using the paddles in manual mode. With a body weight of 1,040 kg and a few extra kilos of yours truly, the Fronx managed to sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in 11.1 seconds, while the Sonet, weighing 1,346 kg, managed to do the same run in 12.5 seconds in Sport Mode with paddle shifters deployed.

Clearly, weight plays a crucial factor here in the quickness between the two, but more so even the gear shifts are much smoother on the Fronx. In Sonet’s defence, the turbo starts spooling past the 2000 rpm when put under duress, and that’s partly because of the rev limiter that restricts the engine from reacting quickly in such situations.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx vs Kia Sonet: Ride & Handling

Moving on, it’s time to test the driving dynamics of both these cars. The Fronx leaves a strong impression with its impeccable driveability, light controls, and exceptionally absorbent ride. The 3-cylinder engine's smoothness, responsive throttle, smooth gear shifts, and light clutch contribute to an overall satisfying driving experience.

On the other hand, the Sonet's turbocharged petrol engine also delivers a linear surge of power. Swift gear shifts in standard mode contribute to a smooth ride, although the suspension is on the firmer side. Higher tyre pressure accentuates the feeling of road imperfections through the steering wheel. While sport mode adds slim weight to the steering, it doesn't establish a connection with the road that you may desire. Despite this, the Sonet compensates with commendable handling characteristics, and its 205 mm ground clearance ensures a smoother ride on rough surfaces.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx vs Kia Sonet: Variants & Prices

In terms of variants and prices, notice that both models have overlapping price brackets, with the specific variant and features influencing the comparative value. The Sonet's advantage, especially in its range of engine and transmission choices is that it offers a diesel option and more transmission variants, including the iMT.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Kia Sonet

And let's not forget the number of variants on offer with the Sonet, as many as 29 trims including special editions, while the Fronx limits itself with only 12 trim levels to opt from.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx vs Kia Sonet: Verdict

The Fronx and Sonet offer distinct advantages, catering to different preferences. From a pragmatic standpoint, I find the Fronx gaining favour due to its superior comfort, lower price point, and the reassurance of Maruti's longstanding trustworthiness. On the other hand, the Sonet captures attention on a more emotional level. Its compact design, smaller footprint, and sturdy ride quality establish it as a driver's car in the fiercely competitive subcompact SUV market.

In the tussle for a superior turbo choice, I feel the Sonet emerges as the stronger contender, presenting a more comprehensive package with a potent engine choice.

Photography By: Apoorv Choudhary