Kia India is driving into the compact SUV segment with its 3rd offering that is the Sonet. The company is confident about the Sonet’s success. It has revised its sales target from 70,000 units in the 1st year to 1,00,000.
The Sonet will be feature loaded with various segment firsts such as cooled seats; Petrol and diesel engines on offer along with manual, clutchless and automatic manual gearbox. It shares the same platform with sister brand Hyundai’s Venue.
Kia Sonet Concept
We already had a good idea of the expectations with the exteriors. This year, at the Auto Expo, Kia unveiled a concept. Keeping with the trend of the present times, Kia showcased an almost-production-ready version. The production version trades the recessed handles of the concept for daily pull-type ones. And, it has larger and more rounded outside mirrors. At the same time, it has a few trim and deco differences.
Kia Sonet Exterior
At the front lies the Kia signature Tiger Nose grille. There is a knurled and chrome-finished lower edge. Also, there are multi-segmented 3D inserts with the GT Line variant that is getting red highlights. Slim LED headlamps are flanking the grille. These are accentuated by the signature heartbeat DRLs. The bumper houses fog lights in what were intakes on the concept. The big air intake area below contains a hexagonal mesh and a silver-finished garnish. The bonnet tops off the front. It carries a muscular-looking power bulge.
Seltos such as knurled and chromed finish looks good. Dissimilar to the front, the sides are simpler. The sides have more curvaceous doors which are devoid of any sharp design flourishes. There is another interesting element that is retained from the concept. It is the blacked-out treatment that is applied to the top and lower edge of the C pillar. The inset quarter glass makes the pillar look nice. The 16-inch alloys are similar to that of the concept.
Headlight and taillights are LED units. These get the heartbeat signature. At the rear, the LED tail-lamps tend to feature the ‘heartbeat’ signature. These are connected by a reflector strip. These lend them a continuous and single-element look. The bumper contains a silver-finish faux skid plate and faux twin exhaust trims.
The Sonet is based on the Hyundai Venue. It does not have any of the exterior panels, not even the doors. The Sonet has a less-radical look. However, it is still highly striking with various cuts, design bits and curves. Certainly, looks are subjective.
Kia Sonet Features
On the inside, the siblings tend to share little that is the dashboard, door pads, steering wheel and seats have their own unique style. Plastic quality is pretty good, mainly at the top. The lower half has some hard bits around. However, on the whole, perceived interior quality is great.
Sound mood lamps
Similar to the Seltos, the interiors can light- up to the beat of the music. Else, they can reflect and complement your overall mood. This is a party trick so that it can be turned off. Kia has not shared detailed features. However, from the appearance, it seems to follow Hyundai. Kia has matched the Venue on equipment. It has then added on some other features like the 7-speaker Bose sound system and ventilated front seats for driver as well as front passenger.
Ventilated Seats
The driver as well as front-passenger seats are ventilated. These have an in-built blower with 3 speed settings. The highlight is certainly the massive, 10.25-inch touchscreen. It has the common set of features. Also, it comes with in-built navigation, controls for the ‘sound mood lights’ a la the Seltos, Kia’s Uvo connectivity suite and the perfumed air purifier which the company says provides virus protection. Some other prominent features are inclusive of auto climate control, auto headlamps, a sunroof, cooled wireless phone charging, a tyre-pressure monitor, safety equipment such as 6 airbags, front and rear parking sensors and ABS with EBD, ESC, vehicle stability management (VSM), hill assist control (HAC) and brake assist.
Bose sound system
Premium sound systems are not too common in this segment. However, the Sonet provides a 7-speaker Bose system which is one of the better ones around.
Kia Sonet Interiors
As far as interior comfort is concerned, there is not much that can be said. However, the seats appear nice. The interior space is similar to the Venue. The boot is large. Also, it should be at around the Venue’s 350-litre mark.
Rear space is comfortable but not top-class
When you sit behind the wheel, it might feel neat. The instrument panel, centre console and screen all are gently wrapping around you. The flat-bottom steering wheel appears nice and chunky in your hands. The controls have a quality feel as well. Dissimilar to the Venue, the Sonet has a digital speed readout that is flanked by a little multi info screen. However, there is a small, analogue rev needle that goes clockwise.
Tacho gets a needle; screen displays trip and other info. The Sonet provides drive modes and traction modes in the automatic version. However, the details of this are to be announced. One bit not limited to the automatics is remote engine start and AC pre cooling.
Automatic versions have drive and traction modes
Kia has not really confirmed tech specs or powertrain options. However, the company said that the Sonet will provide a diesel-auto powertrain. If you thought the 4 gearboxes on offer in the Venue was spoiling you for choice, the Sonet is likely to go further. It is likely to have as many as 5 options that are a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual, a torque-convertor auto, a clutchless manual (or iMT) and a dual-clutch auto. Engine options will be the same as in the Venue. Its features include the 1.2 petrol, the 1.5 turbo-diesel and 1.0 direct-injection turbo-petrol all doing duty under the hood of the Sonet.
Kia Sonet Price
Therefore, it can be said that the Sonet looks pretty competent in the hot compact SUV space. It has a dashing appearance. It has plenty of kit. It will provide a vast choice of powertrain options as well. You can expect a competitive price and a big battle ahead!