Which Kia Sonet Trim Actually Makes Financial Sense in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia: Out of the four available variants, the mid-level LX trim at around SAR 80,000-82,000 offers the best value for most Saudi buyers. And the reasons are rather simple; it includes essentials like an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, rear parking sensors, and alloy wheels, and you hardly pay the premium. Better skip the base EX variant if your budget allows, as it is too basic for resale, while the top GT-Line with the luxury features does not necessarily justify the SAR 20,000 jump for most buyers.

Here is what you feel the best buy

Affordability	Recommended Trim	Reasoning
Tight Budget	LX2	Minimum acceptable features
Normal Buyer	EX2	Best value, proper safety
Large Family	EX2	Safety features justify cost
Single Driver	LX2	Don't need ventilated seats
Highway Driver	EX2	ADAS helps on long drives
City Only	LX2	Save SAR 10,000

The Trim Breakdown

Variant	Price (SAR)	Key Features Added Over Previous Trim
LX	72,999	Base trim: - 8-inch touchscreen - Leatherette seats - Automatic climate control - 6 airbags standard Missing: rear camera, ADAS
LX2	78,608	+5,609: - Rear camera - 16-inch alloy wheels - Roof rails - Rear spoiler - Remote engine start
EX2	88,662	+10,054: - 10.25-inch touchscreen - 10.25-inch digital cluster - Wireless charging - Ventilated front seats - Power driver seat - Sunroof - Full ADAS suite (FCA, LKA, LFA, HBA, DAW) - Side/curtain airbags
EX	92,940	+4,278: - Minimal additions over EX2

LX2 vs EX2 Analysis

LX2 costs SAR 78,608. EX2 costs SAR 88,662. Difference: SAR 10,054.

What does SAR 10,054 buy you?

• Bigger screens (8-inch to 10.25-inch)
• Wireless charging
• Ventilated seats (crucial in Saudi Arabia)
• Power driver seat
• Sunroof
• Full ADAS safety package

That ADAS package alone typically costs SAR 8,000-12,000 as a standalone option from competitors. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Lane Following Assist. The ventilated seats matter during the 6-month Saudi summer. Your back doesn't stick to the seat.

The SAR 10,054 jump is worth it.

The Aqsat Mathematics

Let's calculate real monthly costs.

LX2 Financing:

• Price: SAR 78,608
• Down payment (20%): SAR 15,722
• Financed: SAR 62,886
• 60-month Murabaha: ~SAR 1,140
• Total paid: ~SAR 84,122

EX2 Financing:

• Price: SAR 88,662
• Down payment (20%): SAR 17,732
• Financed: SAR 70,930
• 60 months Murabaha: ~SAR 1,285/month
• Total paid: ~SAR 94,832

Difference: SAR 145/month extra for EX2.

SAR 145 per month buys you safety features that could prevent crashes. Easy decision.

Final Take 

If you can afford SAR 88,662 for EX2, buy it. The safety features alone justify SAR 10,000 extra over the LX2. If SAR 88,662 stretches your budget too thin, LX2 at SAR 78,608 gets you an adequate Kia Sonet. Just understand you're missing modern safety tech that could protect your family. If you're considering LX at SAR 72,999, honestly, save SAR 5,000 more and get LX2. No rear camera is a dealbreaker in 2026.

The Kia Sonet isn't cheap; starting at SAR 73,000, it costs more than Chinese competitors. But Korean reliability, Al Jabr's service network, and proper safety features justify the premium. Just make sure you buy the right trim. EX2 at SAR 88,662 is the answer for most Saudi families.

Also read: Yaris 2026 vs Accent, Sunny and Pegas: KSA’s Compact Battle