SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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Take two: 2021 Kia Sonet 1.5 EX, m/t

Solid and practical

Pics by Motorpress

Posted: August 19, 2021

The numbers
Price: R289 995
Engine: 1497 cc, DOHC, 16-valve four-cylinder
Power: 85 kW at 6300 rpm
Torque: 144 Nm at 4500 rpm
0-100 km/h: 11.3 seconds
Top speed: 170 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 6.1 l/100 km
Tank: 45 litres
Luggage: 392 litres+
Turning circle: 10.6 metres
Ground clearance 190 mm
Towing capacity, unbraked/braked: 500/1100 kg
Standard tyre size: 215/60R16
Spare: 195/65R15
Warranty and roadside assistance: 5 years, unlimited km
Service plan: 4 years, 60 000 km


I drove the IVT (automatic) version of this car two months ago. Even the trim level was the same so, perhaps, the best way to differentiate for my non-technical friends would be to refer to them as “the blue one (auto)” and “the white one (manual).”

The white one’s six-speed manual gearbox helped it to weigh 25 kg less and do the 0-100 km/h sprint half a second quicker, although top speed remained the same. And, born manual fan that I am, I found this one just a touch more responsive, and easy to live with. But there are those for whom a/t is one of Life’s necessities, so who am I to dictate?

Contributing to the Sonet’s unmistakable SUV stance is its size. At 4120 mm long, sitting on a wheelbase measuring 2500 mm, it’s claimed to be one of the largest and most spacious vehicles in the B-SUV segment, with more than enough space for five passengers and everything needed on the journey. The local range consists of four models in two trim levels, LX and EX, manual and CVT.

The cabin is open and airy, with primary controls in two distinct “layers” – the eight-inch colour touchscreen control panel, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectable wirelessly, and digital speedometer with fuel economy monitor directly ahead of the driver. Rev counter, fuel, and temperature gauges are in supplementary arcs on either side. The central vents, with simple HVAC controls, are immediately below the touchscreen so everything you need quickly is easy to find.

Thoughts on practicality, for my non-technical friends, include that its loading sill is just above table-top height and the well is about 18 cm deep. The space is neatly shaped and is fitted with a light and one bag hook. Tipping the one-piece seatback requires some help, or long arms, to simultaneously work a pair of pull-straps in order to lay it down. While you’re dealing with that, you’ll notice top tethers for its ISOFix mountings. And a second, central, courtesy lamp means you’ll be able to see clearly when securing the heirs after dark, so it’s not all awkward.

Adult passenger comfort in the rear is taken care of with a fist-width of headroom and generous knee- and foot space. There are three head restraints, two and a half belts, a low central hump, the usual armrest with cup holders, one map pocket and medium-sized door bins. Extension vents and a powered USB are built into the back of the console.

Kiddie locks are of the old-fashioned “key” variety built into the door frames, so there is little chance of embarrassing grow-up passengers by accidentally locking them in. Been there – worn out the T-shirt.

Moving forward we find a fairly big armrest box, two more cup holders, a useful vertical phone slot, a handbrake sited for RHD and sporting a firm action, 12-volt socket, two USBs, one of which is powered, a medium sized cubby and usable door bins. The steering wheel adjusts for elevation only, there’s a single makeup mirror and a sunspecs box. Upholstery is in grey cloth with leatherette side panels.

Whichever transmission or trim level you choose, you’ll find Sonet to be a solid and practical little SUV with all the features you really need.

Test unit from Kia SA press fleet

We drove an LX manual in 2022

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments or questions?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you completely disagree with what I say? If you want advice or have a genuine concern, I will be happy to hear from you. All I ask is that you write something in the subject line so I know which vehicle you're talking about.