Kia Sonet vs Mahindra XUV 3XO (2026)
Kia Sonet (₹7.33 Lakh – ₹14.09 Lakh) and Mahindra XUV 3XO (₹7.50 Lakh – ₹15.50 Lakh) go head-to-head in the compact suv space. Here is how they compare on the numbers (July 2026).
- Both start at almost the same price (within ₹0.17 Lakh of each other).
- The Mahindra XUV 3XO is the more powerful car, with 129 bhp against 118 bhp.
- The Kia Sonet is more efficient on paper — up to 24.1 kmpl vs 20.6 kmpl.
- Only the Mahindra XUV 3XO has a published NCAP crash-test rating (5 stars).
- The Kia Sonet has the bigger boot: 385 litres vs 364 litres.
Specification Comparison
| Spec | Kia Sonet | Mahindra XUV 3XO |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹7.33 Lakh – ₹14.09 Lakh | ₹7.50 Lakh – ₹15.50 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.2L NA petrol / 1.0L turbo-petrol / 1.5L diesel | 1.2L turbo-petrol (mStallion/TGDi) / 1.5L diesel |
| Max power | 118 bhp | 129 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol, Diesel | Petrol, Diesel |
| Transmissions | Manual, iMT, DCT, Torque Converter AT, AMT | Manual, AMT, Torque Converter AT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 18.2-24.1 km/l (ARAI, varies by engine and gearbox) | 17.9-20.6 kmpl (claimed, engine dependent) |
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 6 |
| Boot space | 385 L | 364 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 Sonetprices & variants →Mahindra XUV 3XO in short
The XUV 3XO is Mahindra's comprehensively reworked sub-4m SUV, replacing the XUV300 with sharper styling, a segment-first panoramic sunroof and Level 2 ADAS on top trims. Its 129 bhp TGDi turbo-petrol is among the punchiest in the class, and it holds a full 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. It battles the Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet.
Full XUV 3XOprices & variants →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper: Sonet or XUV 3XO?
Both start at almost the same price (within ₹0.17 Lakh of each other). (Ex-showroom prices, July 2026.)
Sonet vs XUV 3XO — which is safer?
NCAP ratings: Kia Sonet — not yet tested; Mahindra XUV 3XO — 5 stars.
Should I buy the Sonet or the XUV 3XO?
Both start at almost the same price (within ₹0.17 Lakh of each other). The Mahindra XUV 3XO is the more powerful car, with 129 bhp against 118 bhp. The Kia Sonet is more efficient on paper — up to 24.1 kmpl vs 20.6 kmpl. Beyond the numbers, shortlist by test-driving both — ride quality and dealer experience differ by city.