Which Features Does The Kia Sonet Share With The Seltos

The Sonet borrows some impressive features from its bigger sibling. Let’s see the best of them

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

Kia is all set to enter the sub-4m SUV segment with the feature packed Sonet. To give it an edge over its competitors, the Sonet gets a few segment-firsts by borrowing some elements from its bigger sibling, the Seltos. Here’s a look at what the Sonet and Seltos have in common:

Integrated Displays

The Sonet’s instrument cluster panel extends till the middle of the dash to integrate the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It’s the same layout as seen in the Seltos and shares the same screen as well. As expected, this infotainment system will also feature Kia’s UVO Connect system. The Sonet is the first in the segment to offer such a dashboard layout and that display size.

Built-in Air Purifier

An air purifier is almost a necessity for premium models these days and the Sonet gets the same Smart pure air system as offered in the Seltos. It's built into the air-con with a perfume diffuser as well, which you can manage from the infotainment system. There’s also the air quality readout atop the rear AC vents which makes it feel quite upmarket in this segment.

BOSE Sound System and Mood Lighting

The Sonet will be equipped with a 7-speaker BOSE audio system as well as LED Sound Mood lighting in the front of the cabin. These are ambient lights that can change colour and pulse in rhythm with the soundtrack being played. These features are available on the Seltos compact SUV as well.

GT Line Trim

Like the Seltos, Kia will offer the Sonet in two lines of trim: Tech Line and GT Line. The latter will feature sportier aesthetics inside and out. Based on the leaked variant-wise powertrain options, the GT Line variant will be offered in a single top-spec variant and with the choice of a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines, while the less powerful 1.2-litre engine is only for the Tech Line.

6-speed AT with Diesel Engine

The Sonet has the same diesel engine as the Seltos which also powers its Hyundai cousins, the Venue and Creta. As a segment first, the Kia sub-4m SUV will be offering its diesel engine with the option of a 6-speed torque convertor automatic transmission. In the automatic guise, it will also have the same power output as the Seltos with 115PS as opposed to the 100PS on offer with the 6-speed manual option. While others in the segment do offer an automatic variant with the diesel engine, theirs is only an AMT which is a lot less refined than what the Sonet will offer.

The Sonet is due to launch on September 18 and bookings have been open for some time now. It is expected to be priced between Rs 6.60 lakh and 12.99 lakh (ex-showroom) and will take on the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV300, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza as well as upcoming models like the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger.