2025 Hyundai Venue vs Kia Sonet: Sibling Rivalry Takes Another Angle

Hyundai has introduced its latest contender in the supremely cut-throat subcompact SUV segment, the 2025 Venue. The second-gen SUV from Hyundai now comes equipped with more tech on board, and is bigger than before, to take on its rivals in a more confident manner. 

The Kia Sonet has been the best-selling model for the brand and also one of the top-selling models in its segment. And as everyone now knows, the Venue and Sonet are cousins and they share almost everything under the skin. Let’s take a look at how well the new Venue fares against the Sonet on paper. 

Price & Positioning: Premium vs Value

The 2025 Hyundai Venue is priced between Rs 7.90 lakh and Rs 15.69 lakh (ex-showroom), while the Sonet is priced at Rs 7.30 lakh to 14.09 lakh (ex-showroom). The Sonet offers a more accessible entry point to the subcompact SUV segment and is even cheaper at the top-end compared to the new Venue. 

We can give the Venue the advantage of being the latest model in the market to be this premium compared to the Sonet but apart from a few features that are better than the Sonet, the two are nearly the same. Earlier, the Sonet was the only one of the two to get a diesel automatic powertrain, but Hyundai also offers it, taking away the edge that Kia earlier had. 

Dimensions & Stance: Same DNA, Different Footprints

Since the Venue and Sonet are cousins, they share the same platform. This also means that both subcompact SUVs should measure the same as well. That was the case for the first-gen Venue, but Hyundai has increased its width, height and wheelbase, giving it a better chance to fight the competition and to be more spacious. 

Since both fall under the sub 4-metre category, both measure 3995 mm in overall length. However, the Venue is 20 mm wider, 23 mm taller and its wheelbase is also 20 mm longer than the Sonet. 

In overall comparison of the space inside, the Venue seems to be a more comfortable and spacious option between the two, at least on paper. Its 20 mm longer wheelbase should help in easing up the legroom for the rear seat passengers, which has long been a sore thumb in an overall sorted package. However, the Sonet can gobble up more luggage in the boot with its 385-litre space, 10 litres more than the Venue. 

Powertrain Spread: Universal Picture Over Here

It’s not surprising to know that the new Venue and Sonet offer the same powertrain options. Both come with the same three engine options – a 1.2-litre petrol, a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Even the transmission options are nearly identical but the Sonet comes with a 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual) option with the turbo-petrol, while the same is offered with a conventional 6-speed manual gearbox. Take a look at the tables below for more details. 

Hyundai Venue Engines	Power	Torque	Transmission
1.2-litre petrol	83 PS	115 Nm	5-speed MT
1.0-litre turbo-petrol	120 PS	172 Nm	6-speed MT/ 7-speed DCT
1.5-litre diesel	116 PS	250 Nm	6-speed MT/ 6-speed AT

Features: Venue Goes One Up

The difference in the cabin of the two is more apparent than before. The top-spec variant of the Venue comes with dual 12.3-inch screens (one for the infotainment and one for the driver’s display), while the Sonet only has two 10.25-inch screens. The lower variants of the Venue get a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the lower variants of the Sonet get an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. Notably, the 10.25-inch infotainment screen in the Sonet doesn’t have wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while all the others do. Furthermore, the Venue also comes with an electronic parking brake with Auto Hold function, which the Sonet misses out on. 

Both cars come with a Bose-tuned audio system, a single-pane sunroof, rear AC vents, ventilated front seats, connected car tech, a 4-way power adjustable driver’s seat and more. We expect the second-gen Sonet to borrow the features from the new Venue and probably add some to regain its premium standing. 

Safety & ADAS: Another Feather In Venue’s Cap

The Venue and Sonet were neck-and-neck in terms of safety till the new Venue made its debut. Now, Hyundai offers Level 2 ADAS with its subcompact SUV with 16 safety features, while the Sonet only has a Level 1 suite 10 such features. Both get a 360-degree camera, forward collision warning, forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, lane following assist and more. 

ZigSays…

Both SUVs have always had a tough battle with each other when it came to sales. Generally, the Venue outsold the Sonet, but with the advent of the second-gen Venue, it seems Hyundai will have it easier in outselling the Sonet. Hyundai has really upped its premium quotient with the Venue as it now has a much nicer variety of materials on offer, and Kia really needs to step up with the next-gen Sonet if it wants to fight a better battle. We expect the second-gen Sonet to make its global debut sometime in 2026, and it is likely to come with more features than the new Venue. 

Which of the two will you choose? Let us know in the comments.