Kia introduces updated Sonet, standardises six airbags across portfolio

Hyundai Group company Kia’s domestic arm, Kia India, has introduced the facelifted version of its sub-four-metre compact SUV - Kia Sonet. While the company has not revealed prices, bookings for the refreshed Sonet will commence from December 20. 

Since its launch in September 2020, the Sonet has registered cumulative domestic and export volumes of 3.68 lakh units, with over 2.80 lakh Sonets being sold in India and forming nearly 33 percent of Kia’s domestic sales. With 83,427 made-in-India Sonets getting exported until October 2023, the compact SUV contributes to 38 percent of Kia India’s total exports.

“It’s the highest exported UV and the third-highest exported car from India to over 100 markets across the world,” Harpreet Singh Brar, VP & Head of Marketing and Sales, Kia India, said at the Sonet facelift launch event in New Delhi.

The company also announced the standardisation of six airbags across its five-model portfolio in the country. “It is unfortunate that many lives are lost on Indian roads and therefore, it has to be a combination of safety features in vehicles and responsible driving to reduce road accidents.

“We are today announcing six airbags to be standard across our portfolio, and we are offering a combination of 25 active- and passive-safety features in the new Sonet,” Tae Jin Park, MD and CEO, Kia India said.

Kia India also kicked off the first phase of its ‘Inspiring Drive’ programme, aimed at making Indian roads safer by spreading awareness on safety best practices among consumers.

Segment benchmark

The Kia Sonet competes against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Tata Nexon, and Hyundai Venue, and commands a 13 percent share of the sub-four-metre compact SUV segment. The company aims to revitalise the compact-SUV segment with the refreshed version that comes with plentiful aesthetic and feature updates.

The refreshed SUV gets exterior changes such as connected LED tail lamps, reworked front and rear bumpers, restyled all-LED headlamps and fog lamps, as well as newly-styled wheels. On the inside, the SUV gets a refreshed upholstery, and more features including a larger infotainment screen and connectivity options. 

According to Brar, around 28 percent Sonet customers opt for the black colour and 62 percent choose the Sonet for its sunroof and ventilated seats options. “These features and distinctive design make the Sonet the preferred choice of the young, and tech-savvy customers,” he said.

One of the key highlights of the updated Sonet is the inclusion of 10 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems or ADAS features such as blind-spot detection and lane-keep assist. 

The Sonet continues to come powered by three engine options - 1.2-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol, 1.0-litre turbo-charged petrol, and a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine. The company offers three transmission options - MT, AT, and clutchless manual transmission or iMT - in different combinations depending upon the powertrain. 

The bookings for the refreshed Sonet will commence on December 20, and customers could pre-book their car online to get priority deliveries.