Frost & Sullivan, India’s premier growth advisory company, has unveiled its total cost of ownership benchmark analysis, affirming the Kia Sonet as the compact SUV segment leader in maintenance cost efficiency. The study reveals that the diesel variant’s maintenance cost is 14 per cent lower, while the Petrol Model outshines with a significant 16 per cent reduction in maintenance cost compared to the segment average.

In addition to its commendable maintenance cost, the Sonet demonstrates a robust overall cost performance. The diesel variant secures the top position in the segment, boasting a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) that is 10 per cent lower than the segment average. The petrol variant closely follows as the second-best, with a TCO 4 per cent lower than the segment average.

Frost & Sullivan’s analysis, which encompassed factors such as Initial Acquisition Cost, Residual Value, Maintenance Cost, Finance and Insurance Costs, and Fuel Expenses, highlighted that both diesel and petrol Sonet models exhibit a residual value 3 per cent higher than the segment average, solidifying their position among the best in the category.

The study delves into specific comparisons, emphasising that the scheduled maintenance cost for the diesel Sonet is lower by 17 per cent compared to its closest rival and 23 per cent compared to the segment average. The petrol Sonet fares even better, with a maintenance cost over 7 per cent and 28 per cent lower than its nearest rival and other competition models, respectively.

For fuel economy, the diesel variant stands out as the best in the segment, with a 6 per cent lower fuel consumption than the segment average. Although the petrol variant ranks third in this category, it closely trails the segment’s top performers.

Frost & Sullivan’s spokesperson commented on the findings, stating, “We analyzed the overall cost of ownership trends of the compact SUV segment. The Kia Sonet comes out to be the most value-for-money proposition with the lowest maintenance cost in the segment, which is a challenging accomplishment.”

Mr. Hardeep Singh Brar, National Head of Sales and Marketing, Kia India, expressed, “This transformation underscores our commitment to not only deliver exceptional quality and features but also ensure that our customers enjoy an unparalleled ownership experience with the added advantage of cost-effectiveness.”

Key highlights from Frost & Sullivan’s analysis include Sonet’s superiority in maintenance cost for both Petrol and Diesel models, with the Petrol Model being 16 per cent lower than the segment average and the Diesel Model 14 per cent lower. The Total Cost of Ownership is also examined, where the Sonet Diesel emerges as the best in the segment with a 10 per cent lower TCO than the segment average, and the Petrol variant secures the second-best position with a 4 per cent lower TCO than the segment average. The Residual Value for both models is among the best in the segment, with a 3 per cent higher value than the segment average.

Frost & Sullivan analysed various parameters, including vehicle segment, competition models, insurance, motor vehicle tax, finance cost, target customers, and a 10,000 km average distance travelled per year.

Kia Sonet was launched in India in September 2020 and has garnered significant acclaim, with over 3.65 lakh units sold to date in domestic and export markets. The refreshed Sonet is set to make its debut on December 14, 2023, and stay tuned to this space for all the details about it when we see it in the flesh and get to drive post the launch.