VS
At a Glance
Power
89 kW
88 kW
Torque
145 Nm
172 Nm
Fuel
6.1 l/100km
5.8 l/100km
Towing
—
1100 Kg
Engine
1498 cc
998 cc
Choosing between the Honda Elevate and the Kia Sonet is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Honda Elevate delivers 89 kW while the Kia Sonet produces 88 kW. On fuel, the Elevate returns 6.1 l/100km while the Sonet uses 5.8 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R434 000 for the Elevate and R436 995 for the Sonet. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
89 kW
88 kW
Torque
145 Nm
172 Nm
Top Speed
—
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1498 cc
998 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
3
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
7
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.1 l/100km
5.8 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
40 l
45 l
CO2 Emissions
146 g/km
133 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4312 mm
4110 mm
Width
1790- mm
1790 mm
Height
1650 mm
1610 mm
Wheelbase
2650 mm
2500 mm
Ground Clearance
199 mm
190 mm
Kerb Weight
1259 Kg
1201 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
458- l
385 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
1100 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
6
2
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
—
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
—
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
—
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5
Warranty Distance
200000 Km
unlimited Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
4
3
Service Plan Distance
60000
45000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Elevate
Fuel Economy
Sonet
Value
Elevate
Practicality
Sonet
Pros & Cons
Honda Elevate
More powerful engine (89 kW)
Lower starting price (R434 000)
Higher fuel consumption (6.1 l/100km)
Kia Sonet
Better fuel economy (5.8 l/100km)
Higher towing capacity (1100 Kg)
Less power than rival (88 kW vs 89 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Elevate or Sonet?
The Elevate uses 6.1 l/100km and the Sonet uses 5.8 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Sonet is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Elevate or Sonet?
The Elevate produces 89 kW and 145 Nm of torque while the Sonet delivers 88 kW and 172 Nm of torque. The Elevate is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Elevate and Sonet?
The Elevate starts from R434 000 and the Sonet from R436 995. The Elevate is cheaper by R2 995 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Elevate or Sonet?
The Elevate has a braked towing capacity of 0 Kg and the Sonet can tow 1100 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Elevate or the Sonet?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.