Kia Motors Launched Compact SUV, Sonet in India

Dec, 2020 - By SMI

The Sonet comes in six trim levels, five in the standard Tech Line spec (such as HTX+, HTX, HTK+, HTK, and THE) and one with the GT Line cosmetic pack (GTX+).

Kia Motors had already launched two vehicles, the Seltos SUV and the Carnival MPV, in the Indian automotive market. Now, the company has launched its third offering, the Sonet in India at an introductory price starting at US$ 9145.37 (Rs 6.71 lakh, ex-showroom). In Feb. 2020, the SUV was showcased at the Auto Expo (Delhi, India) in concept form. The production-spec SUV made its global debut on August 7, 2020. The Sonet is 3,995 mm long, 1,790 mm wide, 1,647 mm in tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,500 mm.

The SUV shares its substructures or underpinnings with the Hyundai Venue. The petrol-powered Sonet price range from US$ 9145.37 to US$ 16341.72 (Rs 6.71 to 11.99 lakh), while the diesel-powered Sonet price range from US$ 10971.72 to US$ 16341.72 (Rs 8.05-11.99 lakh). However, the company has not yet revealed the prices for the turbo-petrol-DCT and GTX+ diesel-automatic variants. The SUV is available in both petrol and diesel engine options.

The Sonet is equipped with a naturally aspirated 1.2-liter petrol engine that delivers 83 hp of power and 115 Nm of peak torque, and a 1.0-liter turbo-petrol engine that is good for 120 hp of power and 175 Nm of peak torque. Whereas the diesel unit is equipped with a new 1.5-liter diesel engine and is paired with a six-speed manual as standard and a six-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox as an option. The 1.5-liter diesel unit delivers 100 hp of power and 240 Nm of peak torque when paired with the six-speed manual, and 115 hp and 250 Nm torque when paired with the six-speed automatic. The SUV will go against the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Mahindra XUV300, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon, and Hyundai Venue.