Kia Sonet Unofficial Bookings Open Ahead Of August 7 Reveal

Dealers in select cities are already accepting bookings for Rs 25,000

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

• Kia will offer the sub-4m SUV in two trims: GT and Tech Line.

• It will be offered with three engines: 1.2-litre petrol, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel.

• Expected features include Kia’s connected car tech, front parking sensors, 360-degree camera and air purifier.

• Expected to be priced between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 11.5 lakh (ex-showroom).

The upcoming Sonet will mark Kia’s entry into the hotly contested sub-4m SUV segment. While Kia has already announced that the SUV will be revealed on August 7, dealers in select cities have started accepting unofficial pre-launch bookings for a token amount of Rs 25,000. The carmaker is expected to open official bookings soon after the SUV is revealed.

A couple of recent spy shots reveal that it will look quite similar to the concept form that was showcased at Auto Expo 2020. The spied test mule was seen with the typical tiger nose grille design at the front like the showcased model. Kia’s sub-4m SUV will sport a premium look thanks to LED headlamps with LED DRLs and connected tail lamps at the rear.

Inside, its cabin draws inspiration from the Seltos in terms of the steering wheel design, connected screens setup, and the various buttons next to the steering wheel. A test mule of the Sonet GT line was spied recently hinting that it will be offered in the GT and Tech Line variants just like the Seltos. Its equipment list is expected to boast of features like a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with UVO connected car technology, front parking sensors, and a segment-first 360-degree camera.

The Sonet will be offered with three engines: a 1.2-litre petrol (83PS/114Nm), 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (120PS/171Nm), and the 1.5-litre diesel from the Seltos in a detuned state (100PS/240Nm). The naturally aspirated petrol will only be offered with a manual gearbox while the turbo-petrol engine will come with a choice of three transmission options: 6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, and the newly introduced 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual). Kia is expected to offer the diesel engine with a 6-speed manual and introduce a 6-speed automatic option borrowed from the Seltos.

Kia is expected to launch the Sonet around September with prices ranging from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 11.5 lakh (ex-showroom). It will face competition from the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport, and Mahindra XUV300. The Sonet will also rival the upcoming Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite and Toyota Urban Cruiser.