CARVERSAL

Kia Sonet Diesel Mileage Review 2025 | Real-World Efficiency Unveiled

May 14th, 2025

The Kia Sonet has made its name in being India’s most compact SUV since its 2020 launch. This model has evidenced a sharp facelift in 2024 and kept it all super fresh. Its 1.5-litre diesel engine, which is available in manual as well as automatic transmissions, is a big yes for buyers chasing both zippy performance and wallet-friendly fuel bills. 

This article is intended to provide you with a Kia Sonet Diesel mileage review to show this model's diesel fares on mileage, pulling from hands-on tests, driver feedback, and official numbers to give you the most genuine answers possible.

What’s the Kia Sonet Diesel All About?

Kia Sonet Diesel

The Sonet stands tall against the competing heavyweights like the Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, and Maruti Suzuki Brezza in the sub-4-meter SUV ring. It's a diesel heart with a 1.5-litre capacity tank and CRDi unit that comes in two tunes. These tunes are- 

  • 100 PS with 240 Nm for the 6-speed manual

  • 115 PS with 250 Nm for the 6-speed automatic. 

This same engine also powers bigger Kia models like the Seltos. That is why it is proven to be a performer. 

Kia Sonnet’s Official Mileage Numbers

India’s Automotive Research Association of India has taken tests to give a baseline for fuel efficiency under lab-like conditions. The model has proved itself with its said claims and shows efficient performance.

  • Manual (100 PS): 24.1 kmpl

  • Automatic (115 PS): 19 kmpl

These test figures put the Sonet at the top of its class and other competing models. Sonnet makes an obvious win here and beats out the Hyundai Venue diesel with 23.7 kmpl mileage and the Tata Nexon diesel with 23.64 kmpl mileage.

How Does It Perform in the Real World?

Kia Sonet Diesel Automatic and Manual

ARAI does provide a good starting line for this model that can be trusted, but the real-world story can be different. Let's test that out as well. 

City Driving

  • Manual: When driven in an urban environment, the numbers are close to 14-17 kmpl. The factors, such as traffic and how you drive, also contribute largely to this figure. 

  • Automatic: You can expect 12-14 kmpl in town. The torque converter gearbox is silky but sips a bit more fuel. 

Highway Cruising

  • Manual: The Sonet diesel comes alive and reaches 19-22 kmpl at a steady 80-100 kmph on open roads.

  • Automatic: Highways can result in 16-18 kmpl. It can occasionally reach 19 kmpl if you’re gentle and use Eco mode. 

What Impacts Fuel Economy?

Kia Sonet Diesel Engine

Mileage isn’t just about the car and how strongly it's built. It’s also about how you drive it and where. 

  • Your Right Foot: Stepping on the pedal with a large force causes high burns of fuel. 

  • Roads and Traffic: City jams mean constant gear shifts and idling. Highways let the engine breathe easily for max mileage.

  • Upkeep: You should stick to Kia’s service schedule, keep tires pumped, and use good diesel to keep the model within its said limits. 

  • Manual vs. Auto: The manual is lighter on fuel due to less power loss. The auto’s convenience comes at a slight efficiency cost.

What do Drivers Think?

  • Thumbs Up:

    • The manual’s highway mileage of 20-22 kmpl gets a lot of love from road-trippers who want to keep fuel stops rare.

    • Automatic owners want the effortless gearbox with 16-18 kmpl on long drives.

  • Thumbs Down:

    • City mileage can be a letdown in heavy traffic. It can actually reach up to 10-12 kmpl.

    • Automatic drivers grumble about sub-14 kmpl in urban snarls.

    • A few say the firm suspension makes them drive harder on bumpy roads, which is also indirectly hurting fuel economy.

How It Compares to the Competition?

  • Hyundai Venue Diesel:

    • ARAI: 23.7 kmpl (manual)

    • Real-World: 13-18 kmpl (city), 18-20 kmpl (highway)

    • The Sonet’s manual has a slight edge.

  • Tata Nexon Diesel:

    • ARAI: 23.64 kmpl

    • Real-World: 12-16 kmpl (city), 18-20 kmpl (highway)

    • Sonet pulls ahead on the highways.

  • Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Diesel :

    • ARAI: 24 kmpl

    • Real-World: 14-16 kmpl (city), 19-21 kmpl (highway)

    • Sonet matches or beats it while packing more tech.

Getting the Most Out of Your Mileage

  • Ease Up: Avoid jackrabbit starts and hard braking. Keeping cruise control on the highways to keep things steady.

  • Eco Mode: Use Eco mode for smarter gear shifts that save fuel.

  • Stay Maintained: Regular services, proper tire pressure, and quality diesel keep things efficient.

  • Don’t Idle: Kill the engine at long traffic lights to cut waste.

  • Pick Your Path: Skip congested routes to avoid the stop-start fuel drain.

  • Lighten Up: Ditch extra weight and go easy on the AC.

READ ALSO: Kia Sonet Safety Rating & Features Explained (2025 Guide)

The Bottom Line

The Kia Sonet diesel is the best choice for you if you want a compact SUV that’s frugal yet fun. When we say frugal, we mean it. Its ARAI figures include 24.1 kmpl (manual) and 19 kmpl (automatic), which translate to real-world averages of 14-17 kmpl in cities and 19-22 kmpl on highways. This is quite unrealistic for a heavy-built vehicle like Sonnet. It is definitely the top of its class. 

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