Set to be launched in June 2020, all new Kia Sonet sub 4 meter SUV debuted as a concept earlier this month. Here is the first official TVC video.
Kia Motors is actively testing their new Sonet small SUV in India. Spied on test appeared to be in a near production ready format, Sonet made its debut as a concept at the 2020 Auto Expo earlier this month. The Kia Sonet will take on the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra XUV300 and Tata Nexon in this highly competitive compact sub 4 meter SUV segment.
New Kia Sonet is based on the Hyundai Venue platform and will be positioned below the Seltos in the Kia India lineup. It will see features such as LED head lights and tail lamps, tiger nose front grille, 17” alloy wheels and number plate housing on rear bumper. Below is the first official TVC video of Kia Sonet SUV.
Kia Sonet interiors will also receive design elements from the Venue with an 8” touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging system, climate controls, and Kia’s UVO connected features which are similar to the Hyundai’s BlueLink. The UVO connectivity app offers 37 features in 5 different categories – Navigation, Safety, Security, Vehicle Management, Remote Control and Convenience as is also seen on the Kia Seltos. Safety equipment will include multiple airbags, speed alert, ABS, EBD and many more
The Kia Sonet will also share its engine lineup with the Hyundai Venue. It will see the same 1.0 liter turbo petrol engine offering 125 PS power and 172 Nm torque and the 1.2 liter Kappa petrol engine capable of 83 PS power and 114 Nm torque. The Sonet will also come in with a 1.5 liter diesel engine that powers the Kia Seltos, but in a detuned state of about 100 PS. Engines will be mated to a 6 speed manual and 7 speed dual clutch automatic transmission.
The Sonet will enter the highly competitive sub 4 meter SUV segment and could be priced in a range from Rs.7 to Rs.11 lakhs, ex-sh. It will be produced at the company plant in Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh. Kia India is very hopeful of the Sonet. With its first two products, Seltos and Carnival, Kia has managed to create an impressive brand image in the country. Seltos has already become the best selling SUV in India. With the launch of Sonet, Kia hopes to increase their market share in the SUV segment as well as in the Indian auto industry as whole, to an even higher percentage.