One of the most hyped and awaited cars – the Kia Sonet is finally launched in the country with an introductory starting price of Rs 6.71 lakh. What sets the Sonet apart from the many other compact SUVs out there is the number of features it manages to pack in.
Kia also manages to offer a multitude of different engine and transmission options. We can choose between combinations of three engines and four different types of transmissions. These combinations are also spread out across different variants on offer. Here is a detailed breakdown:
HTE | HTK | HTK+ | HTX | HTX+ | GTX+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1.2 (5-MT) | 6.71 | 7.59 | 8.45 | – | – | – |
G1.0 (6-iMT) | – | – | 9.49 | 9.99 | 11.65 | 11.99 |
G1.0 (7-DCT) | – | – | 10.49 | – | – | – |
D1.5 CRDi (6-MT) | 8.05 | 8.99 | 9.49 | 9.99 | 11.65 | 11.99 |
D1.5 CRDi (6-AT) | – | – | 10.39 | – | – | – |
The starting spec with 1.2L NA engine and 5-speed manual gearbox puts out only 83 horses and is available in three variants, HTE, HTK, and HTK+. The new 6-speed iMT transmission is only available with the 1.0L TGDI engine which makes 120ps of power and 172Nm of torque and is available is configurations HTK+ and above. This engine also gets a second 7-speed DCT gearbox option but only in the HTK+ configuration. The 1.5L CRDi engine with a 6-speed manual that pushes out 100PS and 240Nm of torque is also available across all configurations. The automatic option with this engine is again only available in the HTK+ configuration.
Power (PS) | Torque (Nm) | |
|---|---|---|
G1.2 | 83 | |
G1.0 | 120 | 172 |
D1.5 CRDi | 100 | 240 |
Based on the Venue platform the Sonet manages to look different and almost identical to the shown concept. At the front, it looks familiar to Kia’s design with Tiger Nose grille. The headlight and the foglamp both are LED unit, the front does look aggressive. Just like the Seltos, you get the GT line and Tech line trims. With the GT line, you will get red highlights all over the car. The side profile does give the hint of the Venue’s platform, it gets 16-inch alloy wheels. The rear looks more smart than aggressive and features LED tail lamps connected by a reflector light bar, it also gets faux twin exhaust vents.
Interior comes loaded with features, in the GT line it gets all-black interiors and looks very sporty, but if you want some airy feeling it does come in a combination of beige and black in the Tech line. Step in and you will see the 10.25-inch touchscreen borrowed from Seltos. It gets all the connectivity features such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and UVO Connect with 57 features). The instrument cluster has an analogue tachometer and temperature, fuel dials, but the speedometer is digital and it also gets a colored 4.2 inch MID.
Other features include ventilated front seats (first in segment), 7-speaker Bose audio system, sunroof, cruise control, wireless charging, air purifier, auto headlamps, and Multi-Drive Traction Modes. Kia has not cut upon on safety features also, you get as much as 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, Hill assist control (HAC), Vehicle stability management (VSM), TPMS, and brake assist.
It will compete with Ford Ecosport, Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV 300, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, and Tata Nexon.
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