Kia Sonet vs Mahindra Bolero Neo vs Skoda Kylaq (2026)
The classic compact suv shortlist, settled with numbers (August 2026):
- Pick the Kia Sonet if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.41 Lakh), the most power (118 bhp), the best claimed efficiency (up to 24.1 kmpl).
- Pick the Mahindra Bolero Neo if you want the most seats (7).
- Pick the Skoda Kylaq if you want the best crash-test score (5 stars), the biggest boot (446 L).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Kia Sonet | Mahindra Bolero Neo | Skoda Kylaq |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹7.41 Lakh – ₹14.09 Lakh | ₹9.90 Lakh – ₹12.20 Lakh | ₹8.00 Lakh – ₹14.50 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.2L NA petrol / 1.0L turbo-petrol / 1.5L diesel | 1.5L mHawk100 diesel | 1.0L TSI turbo-petrol |
| Max power | 118 bhp | 100 bhp | 114 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol, Diesel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Transmissions | Manual, iMT, DCT, Torque Converter AT, AMT | Manual | Manual, Torque Converter AT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 18.2-24.1 km/l (ARAI, varies by engine and gearbox) | 17.3 kmpl (claimed) | 19.1-19.7 kmpl (ARAI) |
| Seating | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | Not tested | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Boot space | 385 L | — | 446 L |
Kia Sonet in short
The Kia Sonet is one of the most feature-loaded sub-4-metre SUVs on sale, and its 2024 facelift sharpened the styling while making six airbags standard across the range. It remains the only car in its class to offer a diesel-automatic combination, giving it a unique selling point against the Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue and Mahindra XUV 3XO. The wide engine-gearbox matrix and segment-first features like ventilated seats and a 360-degree camera keep it a strong all-rounder.
Full Sonet prices & variants →Mahindra Bolero Neo in short
The Bolero Neo is the modernised take on the Bolero formula, built on a hydroformed ladder-frame chassis derived from the TUV300. It pairs the tough-SUV appeal and 7-seat practicality of its elder sibling with a more powerful 100 bhp diesel and a marginally better-equipped cabin. It sits in a niche of its own, competing partly with sub-4m monocoque SUVs like the Tata Nexon diesel on price.
Full Bolero Neo prices & variants →Skoda Kylaq in short
The Kylaq is Skoda's first sub-4-metre SUV and its most affordable car in India, aimed squarely at the Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet. Every variant gets the willing 115 PS 1.0 TSI turbo-petrol, giving it the strongest driving manners in its class. A five-star Bharat NCAP result seals its family-car credentials.
Full Kylaq prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Sonet vs Bolero Neo vs Kylaq — which should I buy?
Pick the Kia Sonet if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.41 Lakh), the most power (118 bhp), the best claimed efficiency (up to 24.1 kmpl). Pick the Mahindra Bolero Neo if you want the most seats (7). Pick the Skoda Kylaq if you want the best crash-test score (5 stars), the biggest boot (446 L). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Sonet, Bolero Neo, Kylaq?
The Kia Sonet starts lowest at ₹7.41 Lakh, against ₹8.00 Lakh for the Kylaq and ₹9.90 Lakh for the Bolero Neo (ex-showroom, August 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Kia Sonet: not yet NCAP-tested; Mahindra Bolero Neo: not yet NCAP-tested; Skoda Kylaq: 5 stars.