By Staff Reporter

Kia’s SUV range is expanding with the recently launched and made in India Kia Sonet. The fresh-faced SUV slots below another India made Kia SUV, the Seltos. Not only will the Sonet be Kia’s entry level SUV but it promises many first-in-class experiences in order to attract a wide spectrum of customers across segments. Another aspect that will have to-be customers spoilt for choice are the 5 transmission options. Yes, you read that correctly. That will be 5 and 6 speed manuals, an intuitive 7-speed DCT, 6-speed auto and a new 6-speed smartstream intelligent manual which offers fatigue-free driving thanks to the absence of a clutch pedal.

To suit the requirements of a wide array of customers, the Sonet will be offered in a dual trim concept. This includes the sporty GT-Line trim which enhances the Sonet’s appeal for enthusiasts via its multiple design and functional elements, both inside and out. GT-Line models offer an extra dash of sportiness to the Sonet and highlight its dynamic presence on the road.

Features

The Sonet comes packed with a number of features, including largest and “best-in-class” 10,25-inch (26.03 cm) HD touchscreen with navigation and live traffic; Smart Pure Air Purifier with virus protection; BOSE Premium seven-speaker audio with sub-woofer; Ventilated driver and front-passenger seats; LED Sound Mood Lighting; Remote engine start for automatic and manual transmission via UVO Connect and Smart Key; Over-the-air (OTA) map updates; multi-drive & traction modes and grip control for automatic models; and wireless smartphone charger with cooling function.

Safety

The Sonet includes a number of active and passive features. Some of these features are six airbags, ABS (anti-lock braking system) with EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ESC (Electronic Stability Control), HAC (Hill-start Assist Control), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management) and BA (brake assist), front and rear parking sensors, projector fog lamps, highline tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), auto headlamps and ISOFIX child-seat anchoring points.

Engines

A choice of two petrol engines – a versatile Smartstream 1.2-litre four-cylinder and powerful 1.0 T-GDi (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) – and an efficient 1.5-litre CRDi diesel engine will be available from launch.

Pricing

The Sonet and it’s pricing is not yet confirmed for South Africa.