Kia Sonet will make its global debut on 7th August 2020
Kia is keen to achieve similar results in the compact SUV area, after making its mark with Seltos in the mid-size SUV region. Sonet, a compact crossover slated to make its global debut on August 7, will be the company’s third offering in India.
The release is anticipated soon after, given things normalize and there are no curbs enforced due to the situation with Covid-19. The production of Sonet was already postponed because of the pandemic. As can be recalled, Sonet was unveiled as a concept SUV at the 2020 Auto Expo. Just like Seltos, promoted as the Badass SUV, Kia is likewise promoting the Sonet. See the video below.
The compact SUV room is a fast-growing segment with multiple products like Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon, and upcoming Nissan Magnite. Sonet is unlikely to face any consumer opposition, as Seltos has already proven a runaway success. A few months ago Seltos was the country’s top-selling SUV. It is trailing behind the new Crete at number 2, at the moment. In the luxury minivan segment, Kia Carnival also emerged as a popular choice.
Sonet uses the same architecture as Hyundai Venue and shares some of its design features and hardware as well. Sonet is fitted with a sleek front grille, prominent front bumper, LED headlights and LED DRLs, 16-inch alloy wheels, black-out pillars, and snazzy tail lamps, as revealed at Auto Expo.
Kia Sonet is expected to have features on the inside, such as an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, sunroof, ambient lighting, wireless charging system, soft leather touch steering wheel, and automatic climate control.
Kia Sonet has the same engine options as the Venue. The 1.2-liter petrol unit produces 82 bhp/114 Nm and is combined with a manual 5-speed transmission. The 1.0-liter turbo-petrol engine churns out 118 bhp/172 Nm and is either connected to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT. The 1.5-liter diesel engine produces 99 bhp/240 Nm and is combined with a manual 6-speed transmission.
Sonet turbo petrol variant will receive iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission) system, which was introduced recently in Place. In terms of the layman, iMT may be described as a manual variant that has no clutch. The clutch function is managed in the iMT system via electronic clutch-actuation.
Sonet’s borrowing the Seltos UVO communication package. UVO offers a range of smart Internet-connected features spread across security & safety, vehicle management, convenience, remote access, and navigation. You can access various of these features through voice commands.
Kia Sonet should be priced in the Rs 7-11 lakh range. It would emerge at this price point, in this room, as a compelling option among other rivals.
