VS
At a Glance
Power
118 kW
85 kW
Torque
253 Nm
144 Nm
Fuel
6.2 l/100km
6.6 l/100km
Towing
1100 Kg
1100 Kg
0-100 km/h
8.9 s
10.5 s
Engine
1482 cc
1497 cc
Choosing between the Kia Seltos and the Kia Sonet is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Kia Seltos delivers 118 kW while the Kia Sonet produces 85 kW. On fuel, the Seltos returns 6.2 l/100km while the Sonet uses 6.6 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R626 995 for the Seltos and R299 995 for the Sonet. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
118 kW
85 kW
Torque
253 Nm
144 Nm
0-100 kph
8.9 s
10.5 s
Top Speed
195 Km/h
175 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1482 cc
1497 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
manual
Number of Gears
7
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.2 l/100km
6.6 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
45 l
CO2 Emissions
141 g/km
160 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4365 mm
4110 mm
Width
1800 mm
1790 mm
Height
1620 mm
1610 mm
Wheelbase
2610 mm
2500 mm
Ground Clearance
190 mm
190 mm
Kerb Weight
1364 Kg
1168 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
433 l
385 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1100 Kg
1100 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
2
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
—
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
—
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Sunroof
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
—
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
unlimited Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
4
3
Service Plan Distance
60000
45000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Kia Seltos
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Seltos
Fuel Economy
Seltos
Value
Sonet
Practicality
Tied
Pros & Cons
Kia Seltos
More powerful engine (118 kW)
Better fuel economy (6.2 l/100km)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (8.9 ss)
Higher starting price
Kia Sonet
Lower starting price (R299 995)
Higher fuel consumption (6.6 l/100km)
Less power than rival (85 kW vs 118 kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Seltos or Sonet?
The Seltos uses 6.2 l/100km and the Sonet uses 6.6 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Seltos is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Seltos or Sonet?
The Seltos produces 118 kW and 253 Nm of torque while the Sonet delivers 85 kW and 144 Nm of torque. The Seltos is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Seltos and Sonet?
The Seltos starts from R626 995 and the Sonet from R299 995. The Sonet is cheaper by R327 000 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Seltos or Sonet?
The Seltos has a braked towing capacity of 1100 Kg and the Sonet can tow 1100 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Seltos or the Sonet?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.