Great video. I went for the Kia Sonet, but not the top of the range. I think it's much better value when you go for the mid-range (I have the LX). For a R100k less than the SX, you still have a really fun car to drive with a good amount of spec, but you don't feel like you have spent too much money on what is not exactly a large SUV. The 1.5 engine, although not a turbo, does not feel weak, especially at sea level. The more I drive it, the more I enjoy it - the CVT is a joy particularly at low speeds (traffic). The only negative for me is that there are a few irritating rattles in the cabin here and there when driving over rougher terrain.
@@philiphoekstra9193 that’s some handy consumer advice there from an owner. Congratulations on your purchase, may you have many happy, trouble free km with it.
I am personally looking at the Jolion Pro , And I can with confidence say you can choose any Pro , and can get them close to 350K and a S for sub R400K , if you shop around a bit and find a demo.
As someone who's mother currently owns a sonet. Kia has removed half of the toys for our market no miror on the drivers side, no automatic down or up windows, no bose sound system, no cooled seats. All of these things are standard everywhere else. The other huge problem people forget about is getting parts for a kia is stupidly expensive paid 11k for a wheel on a 2012 soul. Kia charged my mother 1.5k to replace the rear wiper blade, and nothing is local everything takes a month to arrive. We bought ours in 2021 for 307k and at that price it was fine to miss those extras but at 500k they are mal. Have also seen many of the 1.0 turbo sonet gearboxes break and they drive terribly.
I I own the KIA SONET SX (Philippine release version), and it has a sun roof. I actually dont like having a sun roof, since I live in a tropical country. But for the car itself, so far so good. The steering is smooth, solid build car and its fun to drive. Just enough tech (not a lot) for most drivers. I uploaded a few vids regarding the Sonet
If you have this much money to spend, buying a top spec sub 4m crossover is a waste unless for some crazy reason you want a Sonet. If you want to see where your Rand is going get the Jolion Pro, otherwise pay nearly half a mil for a top spec car with cheap no name tyres. If youre in the budget and really want a sub 4m crossover then get a Fronx GLX automatic, you save some money and you get more tech than this plus better fuel economy.
@@mindfreeze0838 the Fronx is a good call, but many consumers consider these two as well. The Fronx lacks some of the tech available in this segment and is a little compromised on space, but still a great vehicle.
@Autotradersa i get that, but the only things the Sonet has over the Fronx is a plusher interior and on paper a slighlty bigger boot, a full digital screen to me isnt all that when the MID in the Fronx gives you way more info.
The tyres are indeed a huge brand in India. Unless the quality is extremely good they don't become big brands in India. Rest assured quality of tyres will prove eventually.
I will take the Kia and I'll tell you why. The engine is not overstressed. The build quality will last longer than on the Haval. The Kia will keep a higher value for longer. Spares will be more readily available. The fact that it doesn't have a sunroof means its one less thing that can go wrong. Manual transmission on the Kia will last longer than the complicated electronically regulated auto on the Haval. On a completely different side note the presenter has a nice Casioak!
@@johanvandersandt8904 this Sonet is equipped with the CVT, but you do raise some valid points. We, too, don’t always see the appeal of sunroofs, but many consumers consider them a necessity. Thanks, it’s the new GA-2100HD-8AER.
@@Autotradersa Awesome watch! Fair enough, given the mind boggling heat as of late I dont blame them haha! I haven't owned anything with a CVT so I cant comment on that. I do know they have come a long way since their original implementation. Take care and have a great weekend!
I recently bought the Sonet (LX CVT) for exactly the same reason. It is a simple, well-built car. However, I think it's only good value up to the LX and maybe the standard EX; above that, it becomes difficult to justify. By the way, the CVT is very smooth and nice to drive particularly in heavy traffic.
@@philiphoekstra9193 Thank you for sharing! I agree. If you compare the cost to value and long term resale figures, the LX is the best option. I can imagine that would be a joy in bumper to bumper traffic!
@@clickonindia6963 the brand has limited exposure and presence in South Africa. It is unknown and unproven locally where the average speeds are considerably higher than that of most Indian roads. [Chad]
No, buy what you want with your own money. The CX-5 is slow unless you choose diesel and that’s very expensive, it’s got a very old interior, no sunroof (only on the top of the range), no turbo engine, not much tech going on….So no!
Have you driven the Sonet CVT? I was sceptical until I drove it. If you are in heavy traffic, it is incredibly smooth and you can inch forward. A joy to park as well. Very efficient and enough power when you need it, especially at sea level.
Balanced test review, thanks to the crew
Keep it up guys. I like that you dont seem like u selling out to the major corps like some other SA auto channels nowadays
Awesome review! Answered every question I had 👌🏽 Top work!
@@reaganlewis7379 glad we could be of assistance
Great video. I went for the Kia Sonet, but not the top of the range. I think it's much better value when you go for the mid-range (I have the LX). For a R100k less than the SX, you still have a really fun car to drive with a good amount of spec, but you don't feel like you have spent too much money on what is not exactly a large SUV. The 1.5 engine, although not a turbo, does not feel weak, especially at sea level. The more I drive it, the more I enjoy it - the CVT is a joy particularly at low speeds (traffic). The only negative for me is that there are a few irritating rattles in the cabin here and there when driving over rougher terrain.
@@philiphoekstra9193 that’s some handy consumer advice there from an owner. Congratulations on your purchase, may you have many happy, trouble free km with it.
@Autotradersa Awesome thank you!
I’d absolutely go for the Haval wow 👏🏽👏🏽 lovely review
What a nice review. Great stuff 👌🏽. The Jolion does it for me. 🙌🏽👏🏽❤️
Haval jolion pro 😊❤
Nice comparison video, you should do more of these
@@tyronepaulsen thank you. More of these coming your way soon.
Now, this is a review. 👍
Googled MRF years ago when I saw it on Test cricket bats, biggest tyre manufacturer in India. Good honest review though 👍
Haval Wins For Me💯
I am personally looking at the Jolion Pro , And I can with confidence say you can choose any Pro , and can get them close to 350K and a S for sub R400K , if you shop around a bit and find a demo.
Keep in mind that this is also the most expensive Sonet, so it will work both ways. [Chad]
Nice review. Never thought we could compare these two cars 😅. I under estimated the sonet.
The pricing is very similar when you shop for a top-spec Sonet. [Chad]
As someone who's mother currently owns a sonet. Kia has removed half of the toys for our market no miror on the drivers side, no automatic down or up windows, no bose sound system, no cooled seats. All of these things are standard everywhere else. The other huge problem people forget about is getting parts for a kia is stupidly expensive paid 11k for a wheel on a 2012 soul. Kia charged my mother 1.5k to replace the rear wiper blade, and nothing is local everything takes a month to arrive. We bought ours in 2021 for 307k and at that price it was fine to miss those extras but at 500k they are mal. Have also seen many of the 1.0 turbo sonet gearboxes break and they drive terribly.
I I own the KIA SONET SX (Philippine release version), and it has a sun roof. I actually dont like having a sun roof, since I live in a tropical country. But for the car itself, so far so good. The steering is smooth, solid build car and its fun to drive. Just enough tech (not a lot) for most drivers. I uploaded a few vids regarding the Sonet
the Jolion is a winner for me
I'm a bit disappointed with how that gorgeous Jolion drives, I love that vehicle 😢
Best unbiased comparison and best information 👌🏽
Thank you.
If you have this much money to spend, buying a top spec sub 4m crossover is a waste unless for some crazy reason you want a Sonet. If you want to see where your Rand is going get the Jolion Pro, otherwise pay nearly half a mil for a top spec car with cheap no name tyres.
If youre in the budget and really want a sub 4m crossover then get a Fronx GLX automatic, you save some money and you get more tech than this plus better fuel economy.
@@mindfreeze0838 the Fronx is a good call, but many consumers consider these two as well. The Fronx lacks some of the tech available in this segment and is a little compromised on space, but still a great vehicle.
@Autotradersa i get that, but the only things the Sonet has over the Fronx is a plusher interior and on paper a slighlty bigger boot, a full digital screen to me isnt all that when the MID in the Fronx gives you way more info.
I love the Kia Sonet, thx great comments
Excellent comparison, I like that.
Glad you found it helpful.
The choice is clear for me :Jolion. For you to get all that is missing kia will charge you close to R50.000
The tyres are indeed a huge brand in India. Unless the quality is extremely good they don't become big brands in India. Rest assured quality of tyres will prove eventually.
The Haval for me. The Sunroof tips it...
How can a motoring journalist not know the largest tyre manufacturers in India? Or am I missing a point here?
Jolion Pro for me
A cvt is a no no 🤞🏾in any application
Jolion boot space is horrible. My Suzuki Fronx, which is a much smaller vehicle has 305 liters of boot space.
Simple:
If you're a woman, Kia Sonet SX
otherwise
If you're a man, then Haval Jolion Pro
Danko 😊
@@dyl_nnn we were rather surprised at how well the Jolion appeals to the female buyer.
Nothings I don't want a battle tank
I will take the Kia and I'll tell you why. The engine is not overstressed. The build quality will last longer than on the Haval. The Kia will keep a higher value for longer. Spares will be more readily available. The fact that it doesn't have a sunroof means its one less thing that can go wrong. Manual transmission on the Kia will last longer than the complicated electronically regulated auto on the Haval. On a completely different side note the presenter has a nice Casioak!
@@johanvandersandt8904 this Sonet is equipped with the CVT, but you do raise some valid points. We, too, don’t always see the appeal of sunroofs, but many consumers consider them a necessity.
Thanks, it’s the new GA-2100HD-8AER.
@@Autotradersa Awesome watch! Fair enough, given the mind boggling heat as of late I dont blame them haha! I haven't owned anything with a CVT so I cant comment on that. I do know they have come a long way since their original implementation. Take care and have a great weekend!
I recently bought the Sonet (LX CVT) for exactly the same reason. It is a simple, well-built car. However, I think it's only good value up to the LX and maybe the standard EX; above that, it becomes difficult to justify. By the way, the CVT is very smooth and nice to drive particularly in heavy traffic.
@@philiphoekstra9193 Thank you for sharing! I agree. If you compare the cost to value and long term resale figures, the LX is the best option. I can imagine that would be a joy in bumper to bumper traffic!
@@johanvandersandt8904 Glad to hear you and the figures agree!
Dude MRF you are not aware then you should increase ur knowledge.
@@clickonindia6963 the brand has limited exposure and presence in South Africa. It is unknown and unproven locally where the average speeds are considerably higher than that of most Indian roads. [Chad]
Just buy the CX5
No, buy what you want with your own money. The CX-5 is slow unless you choose diesel and that’s very expensive, it’s got a very old interior, no sunroof (only on the top of the range), no turbo engine, not much tech going on….So no!
Err bro same tech for 10yrs
Agreed.
@@obotsengmmereki2022 exactly, it still has a cd player in 2024
I agree. Pity Mazda SA saw fit to exclude the 2,2l diesel Akera from it’s lineup. Wife’s got one and it’s brilliant. Car Magazine also rated highly.
how can you say MRF is a no name brand 😂😂
CVT gearbox 👎👎👎
Have you driven the Sonet CVT? I was sceptical until I drove it. If you are in heavy traffic, it is incredibly smooth and you can inch forward. A joy to park as well. Very efficient and enough power when you need it, especially at sea level.
The Sonet with the CVT we found was quite compliant.
Thank you, but cherry and jaecoo are probably better. Maybe compare with those will be nice.
@@OggVorbis69 we will certainly consider that. Stay tuned!