Kia Sonet to reach local shores in 2020

The Kia Motors Corporation has pulled the veil from its all-new smart urban compact SUV, the Sonet. The Sonet will be manufactured in India at Kia’s state-of-the-art production facility in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. The Sonet will be on sale soon in India after which it will compete in the growing SUV markets around the globe.

Incorporating styling themes seen on other Kia models, the compact SUV harbours a youthful appeal and dynamic stance. The signature Kia ‘tiger-nose’ grille is flanked by ‘heartbeat’ LED daytime running lights which are shaped to resemble the electric pulse of a heart. The abovementioned grille is finished in chrome and features diamond knurling pattern mesh. The sporty front bumper features a skid plate and helps the jewel-like LED headlamps frame the ‘face’ of the car.

The side profile sees the wheel wells filled with 16-inch crystal-cut alloys and a strongly raked A-pillar with a pushed back cowl point. Continuing the theme upfront is the ‘heartbeat’ LED tail lamps and its unique reflector garnish at the rear. Further bolstering the Sonet at the rear are the dual muffler design and diffuser fin rear skid plate on the lower section. The Sonet will be available with eight monotone and three dual-tone exterior colour options depending on the market.

On the interior, high-quality materials feature on the driver-focused cabin. While retaining a modern, dynamic and bold styling, intelligent packaging ensure plenty of legroom, headroom and shoulder room as well as a large boot. GT-Line variants will see the incorporation of red stitching on the steering wheel, seats and door armrest as well as the inclusion of a D-cut steering wheel. Furthermore, the Sonet will see the addition of a ventilated driver and front passenger seats. Centrally featuring is the largest-in-segment 10.25-inch high definition touchscreen which is home to the UVO ‘connected car’ infotainment and navigation system.

The driver benefits from a 4.2-inch screen which functions as part of the instrument cluster and displays important information such as turn-by-turn navigation instructions, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and drive mode and traction mode selection. Further bolstering the Korean offering is audio from a premium seven-speaker BOSE system which incorporates a sub-woofer. Occupants also gain access to ambient LED Sound Mood Lighting as well as a wireless smartphone charger with cooling function. With the recent COVID-19 outbreak, Kia has also installed its Smart Pure Air Purifier with virus protection.

Under the bonnet will be a variety of powertrain options depending on specific markets. Customers will be able to choose between either the naturally aspirated Smartstream 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the  1.0-litre turbocharged petrol motor or an efficient 1.5-litre CRDi diesel engine. Kia will also make available five transmission option made up from the five- and six-speed manuals, a seven-speed DCT, six-speed automatic, and Kia’s new six-speed Smartstream intelligent manual transmission (iMT). The latter is a technological breakthrough from Kia whereby the same control features as a conventional manual transmission but with the absence of a clutch pedal resulting in fatigue-free driving.

More information on the power figures, warranty and service plans as well as the pricing will be revealed closer to the local launch of the Kia Sonet later in 2020.