The revamped Kia Sonet. Big car value. Small car price!

Kia SA introduced the new Sonet to Mzansi, building on a range that has surpassed all expectations since its local introduction in 2021 with a significantly updated exterior design, an upgraded interior*, and a repositioned range in the highly competitive A-SUV segment of the market. Lauded for its outstanding build quality and overall reliability, Kia’s evergreen compact SUV now offers consumers an even better value proposition than before. It looks pleasing to the eye, rides comfortably, plenty of boot space, easy on the gas and aptly priced to compete. At launch, I experienced the Sonet on and off road with aplomb. It is that versatile!

Pic: Supplied

 

Elevating your SUV life

At the front, the new Sonet gains a new light signature, a new front bumper, an updated iteration of Kia’s signature ‘tiger nose’ grille, and a revised fender and bonnet, all combining to create a notably more dramatic visage that visually aids the Sonet’s wide, confident stance. At the rear, this sporty, wide stance is reiterated through redesigned taillights that are horizontally connected just beneath the rear windscreen, giving Sonet a new rear light signature that complements the redesigned tailgate and rear bumper.

 

Inside

Sonet retains its high-quality, high-technology interior, with the familiar layout left largely unchanged. Two infotainment screen sizes are on offer – an 8-inch colour touchscreen and a 10.25-inch integrated colour touchscreen – depending on the grade, while ensuring that all of the car’s important controls remain intuitively positioned to reduce instances of distracted driving. A combination of black cloth and artificial leather upholstered seats are standard, while higher specification models are fitted as standard with artificial leather upholstery.

Pic: Supplied

 

Naturally Aspirated

The new Kia Sonet retains the familiar, reliable naturally aspirated 1.5-litre MPI and turbocharged 1.0-litre GDi petrol engines the range is known for. The overwhelming success of the 1.5-litre powertrain has resulted in the range offering a broader variety of models with this engine, with the number of derivatives powered by the 1.0-litre T-GDi reduced.

The fuel-efficient 1.5 MPI three-cylinder engine produces 85 kW of power at 6,300 r/min and 144 Nm torque at 4,500 r/min, while the four-cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDi engine develops 88 kW of power at 6,000 r/min and 172 Nm of torque between 1,500- and 4,000 r/min. Customers have a choice between a 5-speed manual transmission or CVT when opting for the 1.5-litre engine, or a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) when opting for the 1.0 T-GDi.

 

The Sonet LX.

LX models come standard with body-coloured bumpers and trim for the electrically adjustable side mirrors, as well as a new 16-inch styled wheel that adds a modern, sporty touch to the exterior. Inside, black cloth upholstery combined artificial leather is standard, with height adjustment for the driver’s seat. The steering wheel can be adjusted for rake, with the second-row seatbacks split 60: 40 to create more or less cargo space as required. Electric windows are on offer all around, with manual air-conditioning is included as standard. Automatic headlight control (with escort and ‘welcome home’ functionality) provides illumination. 

 

The Sonet EX.

The popular Sonet EX builds on the solid foundation of the LX model, carrying over the same exterior styling while adding rear parking sensors. Exterior enhancements include the addition of rear fog lamps and roof rails, while the electric side mirrors gain integrated indicator signal lamps and an auto folding functionality. The high-mounted stop lamp in the rear spoiler, the rear combination lights, the positioning lamps and the front Daytime Running Lights are also updated from bulb to LED.

 

The Sonet EX Plus.

The Sonet EX Plus adds a range of high-grade additional features to the extensive EX grade specification. Most notably, this includes an upgrade of the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment screen to a 10.25-inch unit integrated with a 10.25-inch TFT LCD ‘Supervision’ instrument cluster. EX Plus models also gain full artificial leather upholstery, the addition of an electrochromatic rearview mirror and a wireless charging pad for mobile devices. On the outside, EX Plus models again a differently styled 16-inch diamond cut alloy wheel.

 

The Sonet SX.

The SX grade is new to the Sonet range and presents the highest possible specification available. It builds on the exceptional EX Plus package through the additional of a range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which presents a very unique proposition in the segment. These include Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Follow Assist (LFA) and Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA).

 

Gary Scott: Final Word

“With its sporty, eye-catching design, high-quality features and fun-to-drive dynamics, the Sonet has helped make Kia the brand of choice for trendy urbanites with big ambitions,” comments Gary Scott, CEO, Kia South Africa. “Renowned for its inherent engineering, quality finishes and big car attitude, Sonet remains one of the most desirable small SUVs currently on offer. With this first update to the model, we’re confident that it will only grow in popularity.”

Pic: Supplied

 

Price

Sonet 1.5 LX Manual:                               R 366,995

Sonet 1.5 LX CVT:                                   R 391,995

Sonet 1.5 EX CVT:                                   R 411,995

Sonet 1.0 T-GDi EX DCT:                        R 436,995

Sonet 1.5 EX Plus CVT:                           R 454,995

Sonet 1.5 SX CVT:                                   R 484,995

 

Unlimited Kilometre/5-year warranty, inclusive of Roadside Assistance. In addition, a pre-paid 4-year / 60,000 km service plan is included to give customers peace of mind and predictability when it comes to vehicle maintenance.