What are the best cars for long drives, or highway driving in India? Today, we take a look at the Kia Sonet 2024 and Honda City, and their variants to find out what makes them comfortable cars for road trips in India.
In this article, we will share
- What a long-distance road trip lover looks for in a car
- Kia Sonet 2024 vs Honda City – an in-depth analysis of their features, fuel efficiency, space, and safety
- How to pick the right car for you
What a Long-Distance Road Trip Lover Looks for in a Car
What a long-distance road trip lover should look for in a car:
- Fuel Efficiency – The car should have high fuel efficiency so that long-distance trips are economical
- Space – The car should have good space for a comfortable and enjoyable trip
- Safety – The car’s safety ratings should be high, and adequate safety features
- Handling – The car’s handling must be superior, and it should have high-speed stability
For long-distance road trip enthusiasts, comfort, fuel efficiency, and reliability are paramount. A comfortable seating arrangement with ample legroom and climate control ensures a pleasant journey across varying terrains and weather conditions. High fuel efficiency reduces frequent stops for refueling, making the trip more seamless and economical.
Stability and safety features like ABS, traction control, and airbags are crucial for navigating long distances with peace of mind. Integrated navigation and entertainment systems enhance the driving experience, making every mile enjoyable.
Why Kia Sonet 2024 and Honda City are Popular
The Kia Sonet 2024 and Honda City stand out for their blend of comfort, efficiency, and technology, making them favorites among long-distance travelers.
Both models offer spacious interiors, ensuring passengers enjoy comfort even on longer journeys. Their efficient engines provide an excellent balance between city and highway mileage, allowing for extended trips without the constant need for refueling. Advanced safety features, including multiple airbags and ABS, ensure a safe journey, while the inclusion of modern infotainment systems with navigation makes traveling easier and more enjoyable.
The Kia Sonet, with its turbocharged engine, offers a spirited driving experience with minimal body roll, enhancing stability at high speeds. Meanwhile, the Honda City excels in providing a smooth ride with excellent overall visibility, contributing to its popularity among those who love to hit the road.
Kia Sonet 2024 and Honda City variants shortlist in Rs 10-12 lakh range
For Kia Sonet 2024, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 27 March 2024 |
| HTK Plus Turbo iMT | ₹10.49 lakh |
| HTX Turbo iMT | ₹11.49 lakh |
For Honda City, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 27 March 2024 |
| SV | ₹11.71 lakh |
Kia Sonet HTK Plus Turbo iMT
Priced at ₹10.49L, this variant stands out for its economical price point while offering a turbocharged petrol engine and AMT transmission for a blend of performance and ease of driving. The inclusion of rear AC vents, automatic climate control, and a touchscreen with navigation make it suitable for long journeys. Its safety and comfort features cater well to road trip lovers, making it a viable option. If you’re seeking a value-for-money car, you can read our guide to the best Sonet 2024 variants for you.
Kia Sonet HTX Turbo iMT
At ₹11.49L, the HTX variant builds on the HTK Plus, adding LED headlights for better night visibility and alloy wheels for a more premium look and improved driving dynamics. Its turbocharged petrol engine, coupled with the convenience of AMT transmission and similar fuel efficiency, makes it an excellent choice for those seeking a bit more from their vehicle on long drives. If you’re a performance enthusiast, you can check out our guide to the best Sonet 2024 variants for you.
Honda City SV
The Honda City SV, with a price tag of ₹11.71L, offers a different proposition with its manual transmission and a naturally aspirated petrol engine, focusing on drivers who prefer a more engaged driving experience. It boasts the largest boot capacity among the three, making it ideal for carrying luggage for long trips. Despite its lack of a turbocharger, it offers a comfortable and stable ride, with advanced safety features including ABS and multiple airbags. If you’re a gadget lover, you can read our comparison of the City with Kia Seltos 2023.
Our Pick for the Best Variant Among Kia Sonet 2024 and Honda City for Long-Distance Road Trip Lovers
The Honda City SV emerges as the best option for long-distance road trip lovers. Its blend of comfort, space, and fuel efficiency, coupled with Honda’s reputation for reliability, makes it an ideal travel companion.
The City’s manual transmission appeals to those who enjoy a more connected driving experience, while its spacious interior and large boot capacity ensure that passengers and luggage can be accommodated with ease.
Although it lacks the turbocharged performance of the Sonet variants, its overall ride quality, safety features, and fuel efficiency make it a more balanced choice for extensive road journeys.
The 3 Variants Ranked in Order of Preference
- Honda City SV
- Kia Sonet HTK Plus Turbo iMT
- Kia Sonet HTX Turbo iMT
| Attribute | Kia Sonet HTK Plus Turbo iMT | Kia Sonet HTX Turbo iMT | Honda City SV |
| Rear AC Vents | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Climate Control | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Touchscreen Navigation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| High-Speed Stability | Stable | Stable | Stable |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Seating Adjustments | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| GNCAP Rating | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Traction Control | No | No | Yes |
| Transmission [Advance Automatic] | Not Relevant | Not Relevant | Not Relevant |
| Knee/curtain airbags | Yes | Yes | No |
| Engine – Fuel type | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Fuel tank capacity (l) | 45 | 45 | 40 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2500 | 2500 | 2600 |
| ABS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Airbags (number) | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power Steering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How to Pick the Right Car for You
- Honda City SV: Despite being the only one without a turbocharged engine, the Honda City SV offers a compelling package for road trip lovers due to its spacious cabin, large boot capacity, and manual transmission for those who prefer engaging driving. Its higher GNCAP rating signifies better safety, which is crucial for long-distance travels.
- Kia Sonet HTK Plus Turbo iMT: This variant strikes a fine balance between affordability, performance, and comfort. It offers essential features like rear AC vents, automatic climate control, and a touchscreen with navigation, catering well to the needs of long-distance travelers. The presence of six airbags and stability features ensure a safe journey.
- Kia Sonet HTX Turbo iMT: Building upon the HTK Plus, the HTX variant adds LED headlights for improved visibility and aesthetic appeal. It maintains all the core attributes of the HTK Plus but with added features that enhance the driving experience, particularly during night-time travel.
For long-distance road trip lovers, the three variants present compelling options, each with its own strengths. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preferences regarding driving dynamics, safety levels, and the balance between performance and comfort.
If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.
