Kia Sonet vs Mahindra Bolero Neo vs Tata Nexon (2026)
The classic compact suv shortlist, settled with numbers (August 2026):
- Pick the Kia Sonet if you want the most power (118 bhp), the best claimed efficiency (up to 24.1 kmpl), the biggest boot (385 L).
- Pick the Mahindra Bolero Neo if you want the most seats (7).
- Pick the Tata Nexon if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.37 Lakh), the best crash-test score (5 stars).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Kia Sonet | Mahindra Bolero Neo | Tata Nexon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹7.41 Lakh – ₹14.09 Lakh | ₹9.90 Lakh – ₹12.20 Lakh | ₹7.37 Lakh – ₹14.22 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.2L NA petrol / 1.0L turbo-petrol / 1.5L diesel | 1.5L mHawk100 diesel | 1.2L turbo-petrol / 1.5L turbo-diesel / 1.2L turbo iCNG |
| Max power | 118 bhp | 100 bhp | 118 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol, Diesel | Diesel | Petrol, Diesel, CNG |
| Transmissions | Manual, iMT, DCT, Torque Converter AT, AMT | Manual | Manual, AMT, DCT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 18.2-24.1 km/l (ARAI, varies by engine and gearbox) | 17.3 kmpl (claimed) | 17.44 kmpl (petrol MT), 24.08 kmpl (diesel), 24 km/kg (CNG) |
| Seating | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | Not tested | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Boot space | 385 L | — | 382 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 →Tata Nexon in short
The Nexon is Tata's best-selling model and a perennial top-three player in India's cut-throat sub-4-metre SUV segment against the Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet. The 2023 facelift brought a dramatic Curvv-inspired design, twin digital displays and a 7-speed DCA automatic. It holds 5-star ratings from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP, and is the only car in the class with turbo-petrol, diesel and turbo-CNG options.
Full Nexon prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Sonet vs Bolero Neo vs Nexon — which should I buy?
Pick the Kia Sonet if you want the most power (118 bhp), the best claimed efficiency (up to 24.1 kmpl), the biggest boot (385 L). Pick the Mahindra Bolero Neo if you want the most seats (7). Pick the Tata Nexon if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.37 Lakh), the best crash-test score (5 stars). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Sonet, Bolero Neo, Nexon?
The Tata Nexon starts lowest at ₹7.37 Lakh, against ₹7.41 Lakh for the Sonet 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; Tata Nexon: 5 stars.