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,[8][9][10] it is sold in emerging markets, including Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.[11]

Kia Sonet
2021 Kia Sonet Premiere (Indonesia)
Overview
ManufacturerKia
Model codeQY[1]
Production2020–present
Model years2021–present (Middle East)
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact crossover SUV
Body style5-door SUV
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
PlatformHyundai-Kia K2
RelatedHyundai Venue (QXi)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,500 mm (98.4 in)
Length3,995–4,120 mm (157.3–162.2 in)
Width1,790 mm (70.5 in)
Height1,610–1,647 mm (63.4–64.8 in)
Chronology
PredecessorKia Stonic/KX1 (China/Philippines)[5][6][7]

Overview

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The Sonet was previewed as the Sonet Concept in February 2020.[12] The production version made its global debut on 7 August 2020 and was sold starting from 18 September 2020 in India.[9][13][14] It is the third model from Kia in India after the Seltos and the Carnival.[15]

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).[16][17]

A version of the Sonet with three-row seating was introduced in Indonesia in April 2021.[18] 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.[19] The Sonet 7 was discontinued in 2022.[citation needed]

Facelift

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2024 Sonet (facelift; China)

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 April 2024, the facelifted Sonet went on sale in China, where it is produced by joint venture Yueda Kia.[20]

In January 2024, Yueda Kia started exporting the facelifted Sonet to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia.[4]

Markets

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India

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For the Indian market, the Sonet is available in six trim levels: HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX, HTX+ and GTX+. 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.[21] At launch, the GTX+ was the variant that was high in customer demand.[22]

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.[23]

In January 2024, the facelifted Sonet range went on sale in India with variants and engine choices remained unchanged from the pre-facelift model.[24]

Indonesia

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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.[25]

South Africa

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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.[26]

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 .[27]

In June 2024, the facelifted Sonet range debuted in South Africa, with a new SX trim and the 1.0 T-GDi engine option was only available for the EX trim .[28]

Vietnam

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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.[29]

In June 2024, the facelifted Sonet range debuted in Vietnam with the same trim levels from the pre-facelift model.[30][31]

Mexico

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The Sonet was launched in Mexico on 16 March 2024 in three trim levels: LX, EX and SX; it is powered by a 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine paired to either a manual or an IVT.[32]

Philippines

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The Sonet was launched in the Philippines on 6 June 2024 in three trim levels: LX, EX and SX; it is powered by a 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine paired to either a manual (for the LX trim ) or an IVT.[33] In the Philippines, the Sonet was a replacement for the Stonic.[7]

Engines

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Petrol engines
Model Engine Power Torque Transmissions
1.0 L Kappa II T-GDi 998 cc (60.9 cu in) turbocharged I3 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) @ 6,000 rpm 172 N⋅m (17.5 kg⋅m; 127 lb⋅ft) @ 1,500–4,000 rpm 6-speed clutchless manual (iMT)
7-speed DCT
Smartstream G1.2 MPi 1,197 cc (73.0 cu in) I4 83 PS (61 kW; 82 hp) @ 6,300 rpm 115 N⋅m (11.7 kg⋅m; 84.8 lb⋅ft) @ 4,200 rpm 5-speed manual
Smartstream G1.5 MPi 1,497 cc (91.4 cu in) I4 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) @ 6,300 rpm 144 N⋅m (14.7 kg⋅m; 106 lb⋅ft) @ 4,500 rpm 6-speed manual
CVT
Diesel engines
Model Engine Power Torque Transmissions
1.5 L Smartstream D1.5 CRDi WGT 1,493 cc (91.1 cu in) turbocharged I4 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) @ 4,000 rpm 240 N⋅m (24.5 kg⋅m; 177 lb⋅ft) @ 1,500–2,750 rpm 6-speed manual
1.5 L Smartstream D1.5 CRDi VGT 1,493 cc (91.1 cu in) turbocharged I4 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) @ 4,000 rpm 250 N⋅m (25.5 kg⋅m; 184 lb⋅ft) @ 1,500–2,750 rpm 6-speed automatic

Sales

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Year India South Africa Vietnam Indonesia Colombia Saudi Arabia UAE
2020 38,363[34]
2021 79,289[35] 2,471[36] 1,729[37][38] 2,321[39] 319[40] 1,411[41]
2022 86,251 3,319[42] 9,446[37][43] 1,388[39] 1,502[40] 2,695[41] 307[44]
2023 79,776[45] 6,511[46] 11,366[37][47] 661[39] 1,633[40] 1,158[41] 398[44]

References

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  1. ^ "Kia Sonet QY 2020 Catalogue" (PDF). Kia. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
  2. ^ "Kia Vehicles, Assembled by Ecuadorian Hands". 24/7 News Agency. 2021-07-14.
  3. ^ "THACO KIA oversees Sonet production in Uzbekistan for Kia". Việt Nam News. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
  4. ^ a b "【图】同比增长86% 悦达起亚1月销量16323辆_汽车之家" [Yueda Kia sold 16,323 vehicles in January, a year-on-year increase of 86%]. Autohome (in Chinese). Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  5. ^ "新车 | 全新小型SUV/1.5升动力,悦达起亚索奈将于北京车展上市" [New car | New small SUV/1.5-liter power, Yueda Kia Sonet will be launched at the Beijing Auto Show]. Dongchedi (in Chinese). 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  6. ^ De Guzman, Marcus (2024-05-16). "2024 Kia Sonet launching soon, starts below PHP 800K". AutoIndustriya.com. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  7. ^ a b Garcia, Leandre (2024-06-06). "Kia replaces Stonic with all-new Sonet; prices start at P758,000". Top Gear Philippines. Summit Media. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  8. ^ "Kia Sonet launch: Kia Sonet SUV premiered, to offer 3 engine options". The Times of India. 2020-08-07. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  9. ^ a b Mihalascu, Dan (2020-08-07). "2021 Kia Sonet Encapsulates the Brand's SUV Know-How in a Tiny Package". Carscoops. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  10. ^ "New Kia Sonet revealed! Baby SUV locked in for SA launch..." CARMag. Retrieved 2020-08-07.[permanent dead link]
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  12. ^ "Kia Sonet concept: What you need to know". Autocar India. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  13. ^ "Kia Sonet compact SUV revealed". Autocar India. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
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  17. ^ "FormaCar: Kia Sonet receives a makeover for Indonesia". FormaCar. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
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  23. ^ Mondal, Saptarshi (2022-09-01). "Kia Sonet X Line launched at Rs 13.39 lakh". Autocar India. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  24. ^ Mudaliar, Pawan (2024-01-12). "Kia Sonet facelift launched in India at Rs. 7.99 lakh". carwale.
  25. ^ GridOto.com (2020-11-11). "KIA Sonet Resmi Meluncur di Indonesia, Bertabur Fitur Canggih, Harga Mulai Rp 190 Jutaan! - GridOto.com". www.gridoto.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  26. ^ "New Kia Sonet – Small SUV starting at R265,000". TopAuto. 2021-05-11.
  27. ^ Du Toit, Albert (2022-07-07). "Turbocharged Kia Sonet going on sale soon – More power, higher price". TopAuto.
  28. ^ Du Toit, Albert (2024-06-14). "New Kia Sonet launched in South Africa – Pricing and features". TopAuto.
  29. ^ "KIA Sonet 2021 bất ngờ ra mắt Việt Nam, giá từ 499 triệu đồng". oto.com.vn. 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  30. ^ VCCorp.vn (2024-06-08). "Kia Sonet 2024 ra mắt Việt Nam: Thiết kế mới, nhiều trang bị vượt mặt Raize và Venue, nội thất có chi tiết hơn hẳn đối thủ, giá bán vẫn là ẩn số". autopro.com.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  31. ^ VCCorp.vn (2024-06-09). "Soi kỹ từng trang bị của Kia Sonet 2024 so với bản cũ: Thay đổi đáng kể, nhiều 'option' bị lược bỏ". autopro.com.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  32. ^ Cervantes, Ricardo (2024-03-15). "El KIA Sonet ya tiene precio en México: llega el SUV más barato de la marca". Motorpasión México (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  33. ^ "Prices, Features, Variants: Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 Kia Sonet (w/ Specs)". CarGuide.PH. 2024-06-06.
  34. ^ "OEMwise & Modelwise Car Sales Figures for Calendar Year 2020". Autopunditz. 2021-02-23. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  35. ^ "Best Selling Cars in India for 2021!". Autopunditz. 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
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  38. ^ "Doanh số KIA Sonet ấn tượng, Toyota Raize dù đã tăng vẫn thấp hơn gần 1 nửa tháng 12/2021". Dân Việt (in Vietnamese). 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
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  40. ^ a b c "Kia Sonet - Sales in Colombia". Chinamobil. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  41. ^ a b c "Kia Sonet - Sales in Saudi Arabia". Chinamobil. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  42. ^ Droppa, Denis (2023-02-17). "These were SA's best selling SUVs of 2022". TimesLIVE.
  43. ^ Thanh, Đan (2023-01-16). "Kia Sonet là SUV đô thị bán chạy nhất năm 2022". ZNews (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  44. ^ a b "Kia Sonet - Sales in United Arab Emirates". Chinamobil. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  45. ^ "Best Selling Cars List of 2023!". Autopunditz. 2024-01-22. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  46. ^ Droppa, Denis (2024-02-01). "These were SA's best selling SUVs of 2023". TimesLIVE.
  47. ^ "Top 10 xe bán chạy nhất Việt Nam năm 2023: Mitsubishi Xpander là vua doanh số". Auto Daily (in Vietnamese). 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
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