Kia Sonet vs Mahindra Bolero Neo vs Toyota Taisor (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 biggest boot (385 L).
- Pick the Mahindra Bolero Neo if you want the most seats (7).
- Pick the Toyota Taisor if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 28.5 kmpl).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Kia Sonet | Mahindra Bolero Neo | Toyota Taisor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹7.41 Lakh – ₹14.09 Lakh | ₹9.90 Lakh – ₹12.20 Lakh | ₹7.70 Lakh – ₹13.00 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.2L NA petrol / 1.0L turbo-petrol / 1.5L diesel | 1.5L mHawk100 diesel | 1.2L NA petrol / 1.0L turbo-petrol (Boosterjet) |
| Max power | 118 bhp | 100 bhp | 99 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol, Diesel | Diesel | Petrol, CNG |
| Transmissions | Manual, iMT, DCT, Torque Converter AT, AMT | Manual | Manual, AMT, Torque Converter AT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 18.2-24.1 km/l (ARAI, varies by engine and gearbox) | 17.3 kmpl (claimed) | 20.0-22.8 km/l petrol, 28.5 km/kg CNG (ARAI) |
| Seating | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | Not tested | Not tested |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Boot space | 385 L | — | 308 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 →Toyota Taisor in short
The Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor is Toyota's take on the Maruti Fronx, a coupe-styled crossover that straddles the hatchback and compact SUV segments. Its highlight is the peppy 1.0 Boosterjet turbo-petrol with a proper six-speed torque-converter automatic, a rarity at this price. Against the Fronx, Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter, it offers sportier looks and Toyota's warranty advantage.
Full Taisor prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Sonet vs Bolero Neo vs Taisor — which should I buy?
Pick the Kia Sonet if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.41 Lakh), the most power (118 bhp), the biggest boot (385 L). Pick the Mahindra Bolero Neo if you want the most seats (7). Pick the Toyota Taisor if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 28.5 kmpl). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Sonet, Bolero Neo, Taisor?
The Kia Sonet starts lowest at ₹7.41 Lakh, against ₹7.70 Lakh for the Taisor 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; Toyota Taisor: not yet NCAP-tested.