Toyota Taisor vs Kia Sonet: Which one should you buy?

Toyota has re-entered the sub-four compact SUV segment with the Urban Cruiser Taisor. It’s a rebadged version of the Maruti Fronx and is the sixth car off the Suzuki-Toyota badge-sharing deal. Plus, Taisor is an important one for Toyota as at the top-end of things, it will take on the Kia Sonet which is currently the most feature-loaded car in the segment.

Now normally, we would compare grille to grille, wheels to wheels, etc. but there’s a different angle to this. The Sonet is a product in itself, yes, it has roughly the same outline as the Venue but only if you look really (really) close. The Taisor, on the other hand, is a rebadged Maruti Fronx which means, when you look at the Taisor, the Fronx will come to mind.

 So, if exterior design is a huge factor in your choice, then it is down to whether you want a Maruti badged model or a Toyota badged model. If you do compare the exterior design of both cars then the Sonet has the more conventional SUV design with tall edges and a high back while the Taisor is coupe SUV like with a sloping rear roofline and flared wheel arches.

On the features front, if we go for the fully-loaded X-Line variant Sonet versus the top-spec Taisor V Turbo, then they both have common elements like climate control with rear vents, 360-degree camera, connected car technology, and touchscreen infotainment with phone mirroring. 

Over the Taisor, the Sonet gets a powered driver’s seat, fully digital instrument cluster, and Level 1 ADAS. On the safety front, you get six airbags, ABS with EBD, and a traction control programme as a part of the deal.

First the Taisor

It can be had with a 1.2-litre petrol or a 1.0-litre turbo petrol. The former produces 88bhp/113Nm in the petrol guise and 76bhp/100Nm in the CNG guise. Transmission options include a five-speed manual or a five-speed AMT. The turbo petrol, meanwhile, produces 99bhp/147Nm and can be had with a five-speed manual or a six-speed torque converter AT.

Now the Sonet

The Sonet is available with a 1.2-litre NA petrol that produces 82bhp/115Nm or a 1.0-litre GDi turbo petrol that produces 118bhp/172Nm and can be had with a six-speed manual, six-speed iMT, or a seven-speed DCT. Finally, there is