The sub-4 metre SUV segment just got a lot more interesting. With the 2026 Maruti Brezza facelift rolling into showrooms at a genuinely surprising starting price, and the Kia Sonet still holding its ground as the segment’s feature king, buyers now face a tougher call than ever. Do you go for Maruti’s newfound value and a punchy turbo-petrol heart, or stick with Kia’s tech-loaded cabin and broader engine spread? Let’s break it down.
Key Highlights
- 2026 Maruti Brezza facelift starts at ₹7.40 lakh (ex-showroom), undercutting its own outgoing price despite added features
- Brezza gets a new 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (109-110hp/170Nm) with a 48V mild-hybrid assist, alongside the familiar 1.5-litre petrol and factory-fitted CNG
- Kia Sonet starts from around ₹7.41 lakh and stretches past ₹14 lakh, with 1.2-litre petrol, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol, and 1.5-litre diesel choices
- Sonet continues to lead on features — Level 1 ADAS, dual 10.25-inch screens, ventilated seats, and a BOSE sound system on higher trims
- Both SUVs carry strong crash-test credentials, with the Brezza facelift scoring 5 stars in Bharat NCAP testing
Maruti Brezza Facelift: What’s New Under the Skin
Maruti hasn’t touched the Brezza’s silhouette much. You get a mildly reworked grille with a gold insert on top trims, a bigger skid plate, and restyled fog lamp housings — evolution, not revolution. The real story is mechanical. The new 1.0-litre turbo-petrol replaces the old naturally aspirated setup as the performance option, paired exclusively with a 6-speed manual for now, while the tried-and-tested 1.5-litre petrol continues with both manual and torque-converter automatic gearboxes. CNG buyers benefit too, with an underbody-mounted twin-cylinder kit that finally frees up boot space, a long-standing complaint with Maruti’s CNG cars.
Four variants — LXI, VXI, ZXI, and ZXI+ — keep the lineup simple, and safety kit across the range now includes six airbags, ESC, hill-hold assist, ISOFIX mounts, and a 360-degree camera on higher trims.
Where the Brezza Wins
- Sharper starting price despite the facelift, undercutting most direct rivals
- New turbo engine brings genuine driving enjoyment without a diesel-level price premium
- CNG kit redesign solves the boot-space problem that plagued the older car
- Strong resale value and Maruti’s dealer and service network, still unmatched in smaller towns
Kia Sonet: Still the Feature-Packed Choice
The Sonet doesn’t need reintroduction to Indian buyers — it’s been one of the segment’s best-sellers since 2020, and its 2026 update spreads more equipment further down the variant ladder. You still get three distinct engines: a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol for value seekers, a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol for those who want pace, and a 1.5-litre diesel that remains a rarity in this segment as rivals quietly drop the fuel option. Transmission choice is equally wide, spanning 5-speed and 6-speed manuals, a 6-speed iMT, torque-converter automatics, and a 7-speed dual-clutch unit on the turbo-petrol.
Where the Sonet pulls ahead is the cabin experience. Dual 10.25-inch screens, an electric sunroof available from the second variant up, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera, wireless charging, and Level 1 ADAS on higher trims make it feel a notch above most of its competition, including the Brezza.
Where the Sonet Wins
- Widest engine and transmission spread in the segment, including a diesel option
- More premium-feeling cabin with dual screens and richer trim materials
- ADAS Level 1 safety suite adds a genuine tech edge
- Sportier, more distinctive road presence with the Tiger Nose grille design
Brezza vs Sonet: Quick Comparison
| Parameter | Maruti Brezza Facelift | Kia Sonet |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ₹7.40 lakh | ₹7.41 lakh |
| Top Price (approx.) | ₹11-11.5 lakh | ₹14-16.9 lakh (on-road) |
| Engine Options | 1.0L Turbo-petrol, 1.5L petrol, CNG | 1.2L petrol, 1.0L turbo-petrol, 1.5L diesel |
| Transmissions | 6MT, 6AT | 5MT, 6iMT, 6MT/AT, 7DCT |
| ADAS | Not offered | Level 1 (higher trims) |
| Sunroof | Available on top variants | Electric sunroof from second trim up |
| Safety Rating | 5-star Bharat NCAP | Strong safety pack, 6 airbags standard |
| Diesel Option | No | Yes |
Which One Should You Buy?
If your priority is a lower running cost, dependable after-sales service, and a genuinely fun-to-drive turbo-petrol without stretching the budget, the Brezza facelift makes a compelling case, especially with its refreshed CNG option for high-mileage city drivers. If you want the most feature-rich cabin in the segment, a diesel option for highway-heavy usage, and don’t mind spending a bit more for top-spec variants, the Sonet remains hard to beat.
Neither car is a wrong choice. It genuinely comes down to whether you value value-for-money simplicity or feature-loaded flair.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which is cheaper, the Maruti Brezza facelift or Kia Sonet?
Both start at almost identical prices, around ₹7.40 lakh ex-showroom, but the Brezza’s top-spec variants stay more affordable than the Sonet’s highest trims.
2. Does the Kia Sonet offer a diesel engine option?
Yes, the Sonet offers a 1.5-litre diesel engine with manual and automatic transmission choices, a feature the Brezza does not offer.
3. Which SUV has better safety features, Brezza or Sonet?
The Brezza facelift has scored 5 stars in Bharat NCAP testing, while the Sonet offers a Level 1 ADAS suite on higher trims, giving each car a distinct safety strength.
4. Is the Brezza facelift’s turbo-petrol engine worth choosing over the 1.5-litre petrol?
For buyers who want a livelier drive with mild-hybrid assistance, the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol is the more engaging choice, though the 1.5-litre remains a solid, familiar option with automatic availability.
5. Which SUV has more variant and engine choices?
The Kia Sonet offers a wider spread with three engines and multiple transmission types, including a diesel-automatic combination not available on the Brezza.
6. Does the new Brezza facelift come with a CNG option?
Yes, the Brezza facelift gets a factory-fitted CNG kit with an underbody-mounted cylinder, improving boot space compared to the outgoing model.
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