Q. How is the performance of Kia Sonet GT line petrol?

Fire up the three-cylinder engine, and it comes to life with a slight shake and stir you’d feel on the floorboard. Post that, you’ll have next to nothing to complain about. Surprisingly, this doesn’t have much to do with the engine itself. Kia has beefed up the insulation on the Sonet and used different engine mounts to tackle the noise and vibrations. The engine itself is versatile, as we’ve seen in the Venue and the Verna. While the numbers suggest a sporty demeanour, it’s clearly tuned to make everyday usability hassle free. Get past the slight lag under 1500rpm, and the engine will be happy commuting around town in second or third, or cruising at triple digits in sixth or seventh gear. GT line variants are available with iMT and DCt in petrol version. The iMT is tuned brilliantly, and is a cost-effective solution that not only takes the sting out of bumper-to-bumper commutes but also keeps the fun intact around twisties. Through gear changes, the operation of the clutch is smoother than most drivers that call themselves enthusiasts. Much like the Venue, momentarily lifting your foot off the accelerator (as you would do in a manual) while upshifting makes the experience seamless. There’s no headnod or jerks to speak of. We’d urge you to experience it just for the sheer novelty and ease of use. The Sonet’s 7-speed DCT doesn’t particularly shine. It simply gets the job done. You’d be underwhelmed if you compared it to say Volkswagen’s DSG. That said, you would appreciate that the shifts are super smooth, and it’s rare that the gearbox gets confused or selects the wrong gear. You get a manual mode in case you want sprightlier acceleration, but there are no paddle shifters on offer. Do take a test drive in order to get better clarity. Check out authorised dealership details.