Kia Sonet vs Mahindra Bolero vs Maruti Suzuki Brezza (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 if you want the most seats (7).
- Pick the Maruti Suzuki Brezza if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.40 Lakh), the best crash-test score (5 stars).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Kia Sonet | Mahindra Bolero | Maruti Suzuki Brezza |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹7.41 Lakh – ₹14.09 Lakh | ₹9.80 Lakh – ₹11.20 Lakh | ₹7.40 Lakh – ₹13.55 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.2L NA petrol / 1.0L turbo-petrol / 1.5L diesel | 1.5L mHawk75 diesel | 1.5L K15C NA petrol / 1.0L Boosterjet turbo-petrol / CNG |
| Max power | 118 bhp | 75 bhp | 100 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol, Diesel | Diesel | Petrol, CNG |
| 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) | 16 kmpl (claimed) | 17.38-19.89 kmpl (petrol/turbo), 22.1 km/kg (CNG) |
| Seating | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | Not tested | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Boot space | 385 L | — | 328 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 in short
The Bolero is Mahindra's evergreen workhorse, a ladder-frame 7-seater that has ruled rural and semi-urban India for over two decades. It sells on toughness, cheap maintenance and a vast service network rather than features or refinement. There is no direct rival at its price; buyers cross-shop it with the Bolero Neo and used Scorpios.
Full Bolero prices & variants →Maruti Suzuki Brezza in short
Facelifted in July 2026 with a Rs 7.40 lakh entry price — notably for the new turbo, which Maruti has made the range's entry engine — the Brezza remains Maruti's sub-4-metre SUV workhorse and a perennial top-three seller. The big news is the 1.0L Boosterjet turbo-petrol option (from the Fronx) alongside the familiar 1.5L K15C and a new underbody dual-cylinder CNG kit that frees up boot space, plus front parking sensors, TPMS and Level 1 ADAS features like blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. It fights the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Kia Syros and Mahindra XUV 3XO, and its 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and strong resale keep it the segment's safe default.
Full Brezza prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Sonet vs Bolero vs Brezza — 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 if you want the most seats (7). Pick the Maruti Suzuki Brezza if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.40 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, Brezza?
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza starts lowest at ₹7.40 Lakh, against ₹7.41 Lakh for the Sonet and ₹9.80 Lakh for the Bolero (ex-showroom, August 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Kia Sonet: not yet NCAP-tested; Mahindra Bolero: not yet NCAP-tested; Maruti Suzuki Brezza: 5 stars.