Kia is testing the 2024 Sonet facelift which will bring a range of new features and new exterior look for the model.
Kia Sonet was revealed to the world in August 2020 in India and is now set to receive facelift as well. Kia Sonet is manufactured in India and exported to international markets to the Asia, Middle East, and South America market. The test mule that was spotted in South Korea is likely exported from India to the Kia’s headquarters as the important proof we’ve is the Indian-spec version uses Apollo tyres.
There are few design tweaks over the current one which are barely visible because it is heavily covered. The facelift will get crisper headlamp design and piano-black finished grille which is newly designed as well. The headlamps appears to be connected with the fog lamps vertically which might be used as LED DRLs or turn indicators. There will be new bumper as well with large fog-lamps.
The Sonet looks remain more-or-less the same and might receive body claddings and few design tweaks and will feature new alloy wheels as well. At the rear, the Sonet has L-shaped tail lamps similar to the one seen on the upcoming Seltos where as the current one has straight tail lamps with cube-shaped light inside the tail lamps which works as brake lights and for parking lights.
The current Kia Sonet is already feature loaded such as ventilated seats, 7-speaker Bose Sound System, Air Purifier, sunroof, and 10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system, and many more features as well. While there is no spy shots of the interiors of the facelift Sonet, one could expect new additional features and design tweaks in the upholstery.
| Length | 3995mm |
| Width | 1790mm |
| Height | 1642mm |
| Wheelbase | 2500mm |
| Ground Clearance | 168mm |
| Boot Space | 392 litres |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 45 litres |
| Kerb Weight | 1,346 kg |
| Gross Vehicle Weight | 1,391 kg |
When it comes to dimensions of the Sonet, the current one has 3995mm length, 1790mm width, and 1642mm of height with a wheelbase of 2500mm and ground clearance of 168mm. It has boot space of 392 litres and a fuel tank of 45 litres with a Kerb Weight of 1,346 kg and Gross Vehicle Weight of 1,391 kg. We don’t expect the dimensions of the facelift to change, however, the kerb and gross vehicle weight might increase depending on the addition of new features and maybe increase or decrease in boot space. The wheelbase might increase as well.
The Kia Sonet is build on the Hyundai-Kia K2 platform which the facelift version is build on as well and the Kia Seltos is build on this platoform as well. This platform is shared with Hyundai Venue as well. As far as Global NCAP rating goes, the Kia Seltos scored 3 stars in the Global NCAP ratings. Since the Sonet and Seltos share same platform, we can assume the Sonet would’ve scored 3 star Global NCAP rating as well.
| Engine | 1.2-litre petrol | 1.0-litre turbo petrol | 1.5-litre diesel |
| Displacement | 1197cc | 998cc | 1493cc |
| Power | 81.86 bhp | 118.36 bhp | 113.48 bhp |
| Torque | 115 Nm | 172 Nm | 250 Nm |
| Transmission Type | 5-speed MT | 6-speed iMT, 7-speed DCT | 6-speed iMT, 6-speed AT |
| Fuel Efficiency | 18.4 km/l – MT | 18.3 km/l – DCT 18.2 km/l – iMT | 19 km/l – AT |
| Top Speed | 165 kmph | 170 kmph | 160 kmph |
Kia Sonet 2023 is available with two petrol and one diesel engines. The 1.2-litre petrol produces 81.86 bhp and 115 Nm of torque paired to 5-speed Manual Transmission only and no Automatic Transmission with fuel efficiency if 18.4 km/l and top speed of 165 kmph. Then there is the newly introduced 1.0-litre turbo petrol that produces 118.36 bhp and 172 Nm of torque paired to a 6-speed iMT Transmission and 7-speed DCT Transmission with fuel efficiency of 18.3 km/l on DCT Transmission and 18.2 km/l on the iMT Transmission with a top speed of 170 kmph. We expect the facelift Sonet to retain this engine as this was introduced to comply with the RDE and E20 Norms.
Then lastly, there is 1.5-litre diesel engine that produces 113.48 bhp and 250 Nm of torque paired to a 6-speed iMT Transmission and 6-speed Automatic Transmission with 19 km/l fuel efficiency on Automatic and has a top speed of 160 kmph.
Kia Sonet already is feature-loaded such as ventilated seats, 7-speaker Bose sound system, LED headlights, height adjustable driver seat, automatic climate control, cruise control, rear AC vents, wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless, connected car tech, Heads-up Display (HUD), and voice commands. In safety, it get six airbags, Traction control, ABS with EBD, ESC, Hill hold assist, and ISOFIX anchorages.
To add more features, Kia could add 360-degree camera in the segment, 8-speaker BOSE premium sound system, and introduce first-in segment features as well, and dual-tone upholstery as well.
| Variants | Petrol | Diesel |
| HTE | Rs. 9.05 lakhs | Rs. 11.73 lakhs |
| HTK | Rs. 10.10 lakhs | Rs. 12.80 lakhs |
| HTK Plus | Rs. 11.17 lakhs | Rs. 13.63 lakhs |
| HTK Plus Turbo iMT | Rs. 12.29 lakhs | – |
| HTX Turbo iMT | Rs. 13.41 lakhs | – |
| HTX DCT | Rs. 14.04 lakhs | – |
| HTX | – | Rs. 14.65 lakhs |
| HTX AT | – | Rs. 15.60 lakhs |
| HTX Plus | – | Rs. 16.19 lakhs |
| HTX Plus Turbo iMT | Rs. 14.92 lakhs | – |
| GTX Plus Turbo iMT | Rs. 15.32 lakhs | – |
| GTX Plus | – | Rs. 16.60 lakhs |
| GTX Plus AT | – | Rs. 17.55 lakhs |
| GTX Plus DCT | Rs. 16.02 lakhs | – |
| X-Line DCT | Rs. 16.25 lakhs | – |
| X-Line AT | – | Rs. 17.78 lakhs |
The Kia Sonet starts at Rs. 9.05 lakh for the HTE variant and goes all the way up to Rs. 17.78 lakh for the X-Line AT variant. With the facelift, you can expect price increase as well.
As far as launch is considered, the Kia Sonet in India could launch by the end of this year or in 2024.