Kia Sonet vs Maruti Suzuki Brezza 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 Maruti Suzuki Brezza if you want the best crash-test score (5 stars).
- Pick the Tata Nexon if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.37 Lakh).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Kia Sonet | Maruti Suzuki Brezza | Tata Nexon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹7.41 Lakh – ₹14.09 Lakh | ₹7.40 Lakh – ₹13.55 Lakh | ₹7.37 Lakh – ₹14.22 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.2L NA petrol / 1.0L turbo-petrol / 1.5L diesel | 1.5L K15C NA petrol / 1.0L Boosterjet turbo-petrol / CNG | 1.2L turbo-petrol / 1.5L turbo-diesel / 1.2L turbo iCNG |
| Max power | 118 bhp | 100 bhp | 118 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol, Diesel | Petrol, CNG | Petrol, Diesel, CNG |
| Transmissions | Manual, iMT, DCT, Torque Converter AT, AMT | Manual, Torque Converter AT | Manual, AMT, DCT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 18.2-24.1 km/l (ARAI, varies by engine and gearbox) | 17.38-19.89 kmpl (petrol/turbo), 22.1 km/kg (CNG) | 17.44 kmpl (petrol MT), 24.08 kmpl (diesel), 24 km/kg (CNG) |
| Seating | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Boot space | 385 L | 328 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 →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 →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 Brezza 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 Maruti Suzuki Brezza if you want the best crash-test score (5 stars). Pick the Tata Nexon if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.37 Lakh). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Sonet, Brezza, Nexon?
The Tata Nexon starts lowest at ₹7.37 Lakh, against ₹7.40 Lakh for the Brezza and ₹7.41 Lakh for the Sonet (ex-showroom, August 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Kia Sonet: not yet NCAP-tested; Maruti Suzuki Brezza: 5 stars; Tata Nexon: 5 stars.