The sub-4 metre SUV space is without a doubt the most keenly contested and popular car segment in India right now. It sells in huge numbers as the cars present here give a great mix of affordability, design and practicality. The latest entrant to the segment is soon to be the launched Kia Sonet, which will be the Korean carmaker’s third and most affordable car yet in the market. Just like its elder sibling Seltos, Sonet’s world premiere was done out of India last week, which clearly shows that Kia is making cars for India and in India for the world.
Looks
The design of the Kia Sonet is the outcome of a collaborative effort between the Kia design centre in Namyang, South Korea, and the design team located in India. At the front is the brand’s now familiar signature design trait, the ‘tiger-nose’ grille which is flanked by ‘heart beat’ LED DRLs and stylish skid plates. Kia says the grille mesh design pays respects to India’s historic strengths in sophisticated mathematics, science and architecture. Adding to the sporty character is the raised hood along with 16-inch crystal-cut alloys. At the rear, ‘heart beat’ LED tail lamps connected with a reflector strip look great. You also have dual faux exhausts, a diffuser and skid plates here. The car is particularly likeable in the GT-Line trim which gets red accents at many places. It will be offered with up to eight colour options and three dual-tone exterior color themes.
Interiors
The Sonet is one featureloaded set of wheels which promises to come with many segment-first features. These include ventilated driver and front passenger seats, a 7-speaker Bose sound system with subwoofer and a 10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment and navigation system. A 4.2-inch instrument cluster presents important information like turn-by-turn navigation, tyre pressure monitoring system along with drive and traction mode selection. The cabin also gets a wireless smartphone charger with cooling function and an air purifier with virus protection. However it remains to be seen which of these features will be offered only in the top variants. The GT-Line models are finished with contrast red stitching on the steering wheel, seats and door armrest, while a D-cut steering wheel adds to the sporty appeal. However it cannot be adjusted for reach which is a letdown. The second row gets AC vents and a centre armrest.
Engines
There’s something in the Sonet for everyone when it comes to drivetrains. Both Petrol and Diesel engines are on offer and both get manual as well as automatic gearbox options. There are two petrol motors, a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder and more powerful 1.0 Turbo-GDi and one diesel engine which is a 1.5-litre mill. There are five and six-speed manuals, a seven-speed DCT, a six-speed automatic, and the new six-speed intelligent manual transmission or IMT, which is essentially a manual without a clutch. While the same technology was launched with the Hyundai Venue recently, the Sonet becomes the first car in the segment to get Diesel Automatic. The automatic variants also get multi-drive and traction modes.
Connectivity
Connectivity options are aplenty in the Sonet, probably matched only by the Hyundai Venue in the segment. The company says idea is to make driving the car safe, comfortable, convenient and enjoyable. The Sonet is offered with Kia’s signature UVO Connect which comes with as many as 57 features. This also includes Kia’s UVO voice assist feature, which responds to a verbal greeting. This AI-powered voice-recognition technology can be used to operate multiple features like phone calls, weather information, time and date, navigation control and 1st in industry driver window up down through voice command. Many functions can also be controlled externally through a smartphone app or a smartwatch.
Safety
More than two-thirds of the Sonet’s body is made up of high strength and advanced high strength steel, creating a lightweight yet robust structure, according to Kia. It will offer as many as six airbags, ABS (anti-lock braking system) with EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ESC (Electronic Stability Control), HAC (Hill-start Assist Control) and ISOFIX child-seat anchoring points.
The Sonet is slated to launch in the middle of September bang in the middle of the festive season. Looking at what it offers the SUV seems quite equipped to take on its rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford Ecosport, Mahindra XUV 300 and of course the Hyundai Venue. It will only help if the prices are competitive enough and start at around Rs 7 lakh. The Indian Auto Industry that has been facing multiple challenges over the last one year could do well with cars like the Kia Sonet.