Kia Sonet To Get Seltos’ Diesel Automatic Powertrain?

Kia’s sub-4 metre SUV could pack a diesel motor mated to a 6-speed torque convertor

Update (07/08/2020): Kia has officially unveiled the Sonet. You can read more about it here.

• The Kia Sonet is set to make its global debut on August 7.

• It will get the same engine options as the Hyundai Venue.

• It could borrow the Seltos’ diesel-automatic setup as well.

• It will be the first in the segment to offer such a combination.

• Likely to go on sale in September with prices ranging between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 11.5 lakh.

Kia is about to enter the sub-4 metre SUV segment with the Sonet that will be making its global premier on August 7. It has been spied testing under camouflage many times and we know it will be getting the same engines as its Hyundai Venue cousin. However, it seems like it will be one-upping its sibling by adding a diesel-automatic option.

The Sonet’s engine options will be the 1.2-litre petrol, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and the detuned 1.5-litre diesel from the Seltos/Creta. The naturally-aspirated petrol will only be offered with a 5-speed manual while the turbocharged unit will get the choice of a 6-speed manual, 6-speed iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission) or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Its diesel engine is already offered in the Venue with a 6-speed manual but the Sonet could add the option of a 6-speed torque-converter automatic which is the diesel-AT option for the Seltos and Creta too.

Currently, the only diesel-auto options in the sub-4m SUV segment are the Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300 which use an AMT. The Sonet could be the first to offer a  conventional torque-convertor automatic with a diesel engine in this segment. Not only would it add to the Sonet’s unique selling proposition but suit its positioning as a premium choice. Since unofficial bookings have already started for the Sonet, some dealerships have reportedly started accepting pre-bookings for a diesel-automatic which reaffirms our expectation that the 1.5-litre diesel unit will be offered with a 6-speed AT.

Based on spy shots of the interiors, the Sonet will be available in both Tech Line and GT Line variants like the Seltos SUV. In its higher trims, it has a similar dashboard where the instrument cluster extends to the dashboard to integrate the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system along with UVO Connect technology. The Sonet is also expected to get features like front parking sensors and could be the first to offer a 360-degree parking camera in the segment.

The Kia Sonet is expected to be launched around September 2020 with prices likely to range between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 11.5 lakh. It will take on the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV300, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.