Kia has received record breaking success with its first offering in the Indian Market, the Kia Seltos with sales of more than 60k units in last 5 months. Kia has launched their Premium MPV, Carnival in the market recently to compete against the likes of Innova Crysta. The AutoExpo 2020, the Kia Sonet concept was unveiled. Kia is set to launch it in the Indian market during the festive season. It will be placed below the Seltos in the company’s portfolio to compete in the compact SUV segment.
Design
In terms of looks, it gets the signature Kia’s Tiger Nose grille with headlamps on either sides giving it a bold and muscular look. The headlamp unit includes LED DRLs and LED projector headlights. On the side it gets body cladding over wheel giving it a macho look. It gets large 17 inch Diamond cut alloys.
At the rear it gets a continuous LED Taillamp setup which runs between either end of the car. It also gets a high mount stop lamp, body cladding on the bumper and dual exhaust. A shark fin antenna along with roof rails can be seen atop the vehicle.
Though being based on same platform as its South Korean sibling, Hyundai Venue, it looks much different that it’s hard to identify. The concept shown at the Auto Exoo was near production model hence is expected to retain around 90% of the design elements.
Features
Like all other offerings from Kia, the Sonet will also be loaded with features to the brim with some first in segment features like Ventilated Front Seats, air purifier, a huge 10.25- inch touchscreen infotainment system from the Seltos. It will also get many UVO connected cars features and a embedded SIM Card like the Seltos.
Other features include Automatic Headlamps, Rain Sensing wipers, Automatic Climate Control System and various other features.
Safety
In terms of safety, Sonet will get ABS + EBD and Dual Front Airbags as standard. It is also likely to get 6 airbags option for the Top Trim.
Engine
Like the Seltos, Sonet will also get multiple powertrain options. It will share its powertrain with the Hyundai Venue. It will get 1.0-litre Turbo Petrol motor mated to a 7 Speed DCT, a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated Petrol motor with a 5 Speed iMT (intelligent Manual Transmission) and auto rev matching to give seamless gearshifts without much use of clutch. It will also get a 1.5-litre Diesel motor which will be mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. This will be a step up for buyers looking for a powerful diesel engine, over the Hyundai Venue.
Pricing and Competition
The Kia Sonet is expected to be priced starting ₹7 lacs going up to around ₹11.5 lacs ex-showroom Delhi. It will be competing with the likes Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Ford Ecosport and Hyundai Venue.
Kia motors is expected to give a tough completion to the existing players in the market by pricing the Sonet very aggressively like it had done with the Seltos.