Kia Sonet (Base) vs Maruti Suzuki Fronx : In this rapidly growing compact SUV space, people are more vociferously aware of the Kia Sonet and the Maruti Suzuki Fronx. Both cars are stylish, practical, and made for city buyers wanting an SUV-like justifiable look at not-so-great prices. Since its launch, the Sonet has been way better than any of its competition. On the other hand, Fronx is a much newer edition which has a lot of modern merit and reliability to offer as well. Let us check out both cars in terms of their base variants to see which is a better deal.
The Kia Sonet does have an aggressive sporty design. Even the base model carries forward the Kia aesthetic-the tiger-nose grille, sharp headlights, and tough standing to give it a premium appeal on the road. The Maruti Suzuki Fronx hands down gives a futuristic vibe with coupe-like SUV dimensions, split LED headlamps, and a bold front fascia. The Sonet looks rugged and muscular; however, the Fronx sits in a completely youthful and modern space; both have their own appeal.
Walking in, you can see some differences in terms of cabin quality. Well, in the base model, the Kia Sonet feels extremely well put together and fits very well into the so-called premium category with a neat dashboard and good quality materials. But features on the base model look rather basic, just manual AC, power windows, and a set of safety features available. The Maruti Suzuki Fronx on the other hand keeps it simple; yet roomy and comfortable enough for everyday use. Seats provide enough support, and the cabin feels quite airy. Rear seat comfort in the Fronx feels a bit more thanks to its spacious layout.
While performance-wise, the base variant of Kia Sonet runs on a 1.2-litre petrol engine which is smooth and trustworthy purely for the city. Well, it does share the same engine type of 1.2-litre petrol motor with the Maruti Suzuki Fronx. Refined, fuel-efficient, and tuned for daily applications. Both are good for city runs, nevertheless, an extra hint of mileage raving from Maruti gives Fronx some edge in the eyes of a budget buyer. Stability comes Sonet’s way on highways more due to overall build quality along with suspension setup whereas comfort and efficiency come Fronx’s way.
Another important point is the safety issue. The Kia Sonet makes do with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors in the base variant. The Fronx comes with similar safety features, but Maruti’s know-how about the service network, and all other such well-known factors, is at its disposal. However, Kia’s overall SUV-like structure gives it a slightly harder feel.
Overall, the most suitable segment and category for the Kia Sonet will be that of stylish, rugged-looking compact SUVs with a strong road presence. Whereas, Maruti Suzuki Fronx accomplishes the point in the modern look, fuel efficiency, and Maruti’s reliable after-sales assistance. Both are extremely competitive by nature but at the end comes down to whether you value bold design and ruggedness (Sonet) versus practicality and economy (Fronx).