December 2023 Compact SUV Sales: Kia Sonet outsells Toyota Raize by 4 times, Hyundai Venue starts off strong

Similar to the rest of the segments in the Vietnamese market, the A-segment SUVs have seen steady growth in terms of sales in December 2023. Meanwhile, the newcomer Hyundai Venue, despite being recently launched on December 16, 2023, has made a promising start.

Sales figures for A-segment SUVs in December 2023 (unit: vehicles)

Kia Sonet: 1,354 vehicles

In December, Kia sold 1,354 units of the Sonet to Vietnamese customers, a 12.4% increase compared to the previous month. With this, the Sonet continues to lead the A-segment SUV market in Vietnam and outperforms its two remaining competitors.

For the whole of 2023, the Kia Sonet achieved a sales figure of 11,366 units, a 20.3% growth compared to 2022. Despite the heavy impact of the economic downturn on the Vietnamese automobile market, this A-segment SUV still experienced positive growth at a relatively high rate. With this sales figure, the Kia Sonet leads the A-segment SUV market and ranks 6th among the best-selling cars in the overall market in 2023. Additionally, the Sonet is also the best-selling model of the Kia brand in Vietnam in the past year.

The appeal of the Kia Sonet stems from its modern, youthful exterior design, relatively well-equipped features, and attractive price ranging from 519 – 574 million Vietnamese dong for 3 variants. Specifically, this Korean car boasts full LED headlights with automatic on/off, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, automatic dual-zone air conditioning with rear vents, a sunroof, wireless phone charging, and a 6-speaker audio system.

The Kia Sonet is powered by a 1.5L Smartstream petrol engine with a maximum power output of 113 horsepower and a peak torque of 144 Nm. The engine is paired with either an intelligent Smartstream IVT CVT transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission.

Toyota Raize: 312 vehicles

Compared to its competitor, the Kia Sonet, the Toyota Raize has a higher growth rate, reaching 124.4%. However, the sales figure for the Raize in December 2023 was only 312 units, a quarter compared to the Sonet.

In total, in 2023, Vietnamese customers purchased 4,546 units of the Toyota Raize, significantly fewer than its Korean rival. Therefore, the Toyota Raize ranks 2nd in the segment.

At the beginning of January 2024, Toyota announced a new retail price for the Raize, priced at only 498 million Vietnamese dong, the most affordable in the A-segment SUV market. This pricing is expected to improve the sales performance of the Toyota Raize this year.

Similar to the Kia Sonet, the Toyota Raize also has advantages such as a reputable brand, sporty and dynamic design. The A-segment SUV is also equipped with a range of features including full LED lighting, 17-inch sporty alloy wheels, steering wheel with paddle shifters, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, push-button start, and automatic air conditioning.

Additionally, it is equipped with safety features such as Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), 4 front/rear sensors, and 6 airbags.

Under the hood of the Toyota Raize is a 1.0L turbocharged petrol engine, generating a maximum power output of 98 horsepower and a peak torque of 140 Nm. This engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (D-CVT).

Hyundai Venue: 180 vehicles

The Hyundai Venue had a good start with a sales figure of 180 units in the first half of December 2023. If this growth momentum continues, the Korean SUV may surpass the Toyota Raize in the coming year.

The Hyundai Venue is available in Vietnam with 2 variants and a price range from 539 – 579 million Vietnamese dong. This model bears resemblance to a downsized version of its bigger brother, the Palisade. Besides its appearance, the vehicle is equipped with features such as LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay support, USB Type-C charging ports, a 6-speaker sound system, push-button start, smart key access, and automatic climate control with rear vents.

The safety features of the Hyundai Venue are also quite comprehensive in this segment, including 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Cruise Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and automatic headlights.

The highlight of the vehicle is its engine, which offers superior power compared to its two aforementioned rivals. Specifically, the Venue is equipped with a 1.0L 3-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine, delivering a maximum power output of 120 horsepower and a peak torque of 172 Nm. This engine is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and a front-wheel drive system.