Kia Sonet

The Kia Sonet is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Kia since 2020. Positioned below the Seltos and closely related to the similarly sized sibling Hyundai Venue, it is sold in emerging markets, including Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Overview

The Sonet was previewed as the Sonet Concept in February 2020. The production version made its global debut on 7 August 2020 and was sold starting from 18 September 2020 in India. It is the third model from Kia in India after the Seltos and the Carnival.

In the Indian market, the Sonet occupies the sub-four-metre SUV category with its 3,995 mm (157.3 in) length dimension, benefitting from the Indian tax benefits for cars shorter than four meters. For export markets, the Sonet is equipped with longer front and rear bumpers, increasing its length to 4,120 mm (162.2 in).

Facelift

The facelifted Sonet was unveiled on 14 December 2023. It features redesigned front and rear fascia with redesigned headlights and taillights. The interior gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen.

In January 2024, Yueda Kia joint venture in China started producing the facelifted Sonet. The first production batch was exported to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia. In April 2024, the facelifted Sonet went on sale in China.

Markets

India

For the Indian market, the Sonet is available in nine trim levels: HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK(O), HTK , HTK (O) HTX, GTX and X Line. Three engine options are available: a 1.0-litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol, a 1.2-litre MPi petrol and a 1.5-litre CRDi turbocharged diesel. At launch, the GTX was the variant that was high in customer demand.

In September 2022, the flagship X-Line trim was introduced which consists of cosmetic changes instead of mechanical changes. It was available with either 1.0 T-GDi petrol or 1.5 CRDi diesel engines.

In January 2024, the facelifted Sonet went on sale in India with new variants and engine choices remained unchanged from the pre-facelift model. By September 2024, the car sold more than 450,000 units in India and export markets.

Indonesia

The Sonet was launched in Indonesia on 11 November 2020, in five trim levels: Standard, Active, Smart, Dynamic and Premiere; it is powered by a 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine paired to either a manual or an IVT.

A version of the Sonet with three-row seating was introduced in Indonesia in April 2021. Marketed as the "Sonet 7", the third row bench seat is installed without any exterior bodywork changes, meaning with the third row seat up, the boot space is effectively eliminated. The Sonet 7 is also equipped with a roof-mounted air circulator system, and a revised second row bench seat with split folding and a one-touch folding mechanism which allows access to the third row. The Sonet 7 was discontinued in 2022.

In September 2024, the facelifted Sonet debuted in Indonesia with two trim levels: Premiere and Ultimate; it is powered by a 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine.

South Africa

The Sonet was launched in South Africa on 11 May 2021 in two trim levels: LX and EX; it is powered by a 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine paired to either a manual or an IVT.

In July 2022, the 1.0 T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine was introduced in South Africa and it is available in the new EX trim.

In June 2024, the facelifted Sonet debuted in South Africa, with a new SX trim and the 1.0 T-GDi engine option was only available for the EX trim. The entry-level LS trim was added to sit below the LX in October 2024.

Vietnam

The Sonet was launched in Vietnam on 9 October 2021, alongside the fourth-generation Carnival. At launch, three trim levels are available: Deluxe, Luxury and Premium; it is powered by a 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine paired to either a manual (for the Deluxe trim) or an IVT.

In June 2024, the facelifted Sonet debuted in Vietnam with the same trim levels from the pre-facelift model.

Mexico

The Sonet was launched in Mexico on 16 March 2024 in three trim levels: LX, EX and SX. Imported from China (Yueda Kia), it is powered by a Smartstream G1.5 MPi that produces 113 hp and 144 Nm of torque, paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission (LX) or an IVT (EX and SX).

Philippines

Three months after its release in Mexico, the Sonet was launched in the Philippines on 6 June 2024, also in three trim levels: LX, EX, and SX. Unlike in Mexico, the Philippine-spec Sonet offers both manual and automatic transmissions for the LX variant. It is imported from China (Yueda Kia) and replaces the Stonic. The Sonet is powered by a Smartstream G1.5 MPi that produces 113 hp and 144 Nm of torque, paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or an IVT.