Kia’s Sonet Breaks Cover And It Looks Familiar

Kia’s latest offering, the feature-packed Sonet, is set to ruffle some feathers in the sub-4 metre SUV segment

Update (18/09/2020): Kia has launched the Sonet with prices beginning from Rs 6.71 lakh (ex-showroom). Read more about it here.

The Kia Sonet has been riding the hype train since Auto Expo 2020. Its design attracted millions of eyeballs at the show and on the internet, and Kia has now revealed the final production version of the sub-4 metre SUV that will take on the likes of the Ford EcoSport and the Tata Nexon.

At first glance, we thought Kia had brought over the concept shown at Auto Expo itself, given it a paint job and dubbed it the production version of the Sonet. Then you start noticing the smaller stuff. The wheels are now a more realistic 16-inches and the flush door handles seen on the concept SUV have now been replaced by more conventional handles.

Kia has nailed one key aspect that is really difficult for any carmaker: to make a sub-4 metre car look like an SUV. The muscular lines, bulging wheel arches and high-bonnet line make it look the part. At the rear too, you’ll find that the Sonet is quite flat and upright, something we are all used to seeing in conventional SUVs. Add to that Kia's styling elements such as the tiger-nose grille, LED projector headlamps, fang-shaped LED DRLs and the Sonet is bound to get heads turning to catch a second glance. 

The Sonet doesn’t only pack in outrageous design elements but also premium features such as a sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, ventilated seats, an air purifier with perfume dispenser and a Bose sound system. The Sonet even packs the same 10.25-inch touchscreen display and UVO connected car technology as the Seltos, and the instrument cluster is a digital affair, save for the analogue tachometer. In terms of variants, the Sonet will be offered in GT Line and HT Line trims, just like the Seltos. And we expect that variant list to be every bit as complicated as the Seltos, if not more.

Surprisingly, we haven’t mentioned the Venue even once till now even though this car shares its underpinnings and powertrain options with the Hyundai SUV. But you wouldn’t be any the wiser to their connection when looking at it. However, the Sonet will be adding the option of a diesel-automatic to its list of powertrain choices. The only other cars in the segment that offer a similar powertrain are the Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300 but they use AMTs while the Sonet will employ the use of a torque converter.

As you can see from the table above, the Sonet will be available in six different powertrain options. That means that there will be a Sonet that will cater specifically to your needs.

Our initial estimate was that the Sonet will be priced between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 11 lakh but the fact that it will also get a diesel-auto powertrain has made us reconsider the top-end pricing. According to our new evaluation, the Sonet’s price (ex-showroom) should now stretch towards the Rs 12.50 lakh mark.

As far as its launch is concerned, we expect Kia to start selling the Sonet in late August. Bookings for the sub-4 metre SUV have been unofficially open for sometime now and we expect deliveries to commence by the end of the month. We’ll be bringing you our in depth look at the Kia Sonet, its interior, features and more soon. So stay tuned to CarDekho for more on Kia’s latest offering.