The Kia Sonet has made another appearance on Indian roads, suggesting yet another major change in the popular compact SUV. Not much is shown through the test mule’s heavily dressed-up appearance, but Kia appears to be developing updated styling, enhanced features, and likely new technology advancements to ensure the Sonet remains relevant in the booming sub-4-meter SUV market. But with the competition getting even more capabilities and ahead in development, Kia seems poised to make the Sonet even more interesting.
Fresh Exterior Design:
The upcoming Kia Sonet’s front design is anticipated to be more refined and aggressive than it is currently. Spy photos hint that Kia might be bringing a new grill design to the car with a more aggressive grill design and mesh pattern, while LED headlamps and new daytime running lights replace the previous versions. Sportier looking ventilation in the front bumper and a more aggressive design are a possibility, too, as it aims to increase the SUV’s road presence without sacrificing its dimensions.
The new version of the Sonnet will look the same in terms of dimensions and shape from the side but with some sensory improvements in style. New dual-tone alloy wheels, blacked-out pillars, roof rails, and new body cladding may bring the SUV a hatchier and more modern look. The great shoulder lines and slightly square wheel arches are likely to be retained and continue to give the Sonet its bold SUV stance.
On the back, Kia could also release a pair of LED taillights with a new lighting style influenced by the brand’s all-new global SUVs and will be connected. The rear bumper may even be more sculpted up front, with faux skid plates and even a redesign of the reflectors, all in the name of making it look like a more sporty vehicle. A restyling of the tailgate design and remarking of the spoiler could add even more to the SUV’s quality image.
It is hoped that the new Sonet would follow suit and have a sporty wheel layout, which means that 16-inch alloy wheels will likely be found in the higher variants. For tires, Kia might choose the 215/60 R16 tire size, which enhances road grip, stability, and ride comfort. The tighter aspect ratios may be available on other variants, while the increased width on this model’s tires is likely to improve stability and confidence on the highway.
Cabin Features Which Enhance Premiumness:
The cabin of the new Kia Sonet will see a few enhancements, including several items that look into the future and are inspired by Kia’s recent global SUVs that will likely bring more luxury and tech to the interior. The compact SUV might get a new dashboard design that includes soft-touch surfaces, ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, wireless charging, auto climate control, display designs like a panoramic windshield, and a new Bose premium audio system. Kia will also probably include connected car products with over-the-air software updates and advanced voice commands for a more modern driving experience.
The model that will be updated should keep the big 10.25″ touch screen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Pairing it up is Kia’s option of a fully digital instrument cluster display of 10.25 in. with more graphic and navigation features, support for a blind-view monitor, and multiple display themes. Incidences can include a 360-degree camera, air purifier, powered seat, and Level-1 or advanced ADAS for even the higher trims, and the cabin is one of the most loaded-up around in the compact SUV market.
Options that can be expected to remain for the engine.
The Kia Sonet is set to be available in a range of engine variants, offering a choice of fuel efficiency, everyday performance, and a sporty variant. Kia is unlikely to change the powertrain significantly and will carry over the previous petrol and diesel engines with a few refinements to make the car more refined and fuel-efficient.
The entry versions could still be powered by the 1.2-liter naturally aspirated petrol motor able to deliver about 83 PS and 115 Nm of torque. The router will primarily be equipping this engine with a 5-speed manual gear before and after the change, and the engine is hinted to be dedicated to smooth urban driving and fuel economy.
Kia might still provide the 1.0-liter turbo-petrol engine with some 120 PS of power and 172 Nm of torque to performance-focused shoppers. It’s only a matter of time before such an automatic gearbox (7-speed DCT and iMT) is offered with this engine, giving it quicker acceleration and an enhanced driving experience.
The Sonet is also likely to keep its 1.5L diesel engine that now pumps out approximately 116 PS and 250 Nm of torque. This engine is a favorite for enthusiasts because of its low-end torque, highway cruising, and fuel economy. Depending on the variants, they’re available in either manual or automatic transmissions.
Expected Mileage Of Kia Sonet:
The new Kia Sonet is likely to recapitulate the fuel economy numbers of the petrol & diesel range. The naturally aspirated 1.2-liter petrol engine should offer in the region of 18-19 kmpl or more, and the turbo-petrol 1.0-liter engine should get to around 19-20 kmpl depending on the type of transmission.
The most economical of this range is likely to be the 1.5-liter diesel engine. Under the standard driving conditions, automatic diesel variants could achieve almost 18-21 km/L, while manual diesel variants might achieve a fuel economy of 22-24 km/L. Kia could also make some minor changes to the powertrains to make them more efficient in the real world and make cruising on the highway more pleasant.
Safety features could be improved.
Kia is expected to give the updated Kia Sorento a more comprehensive safety package as the small SUV will try to get more competitive in the segment. Standard features may include six airbags on all variants, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and ABS with EBD. Kia may strengthen the body structure as well to provide a higher level of safety for its occupants during any type of collision.
The more expensive versions of the next Sonet may feature more sophisticated, technology-driven safety features. Examples of this include a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, front parking sensors, and Level-2 automated driving assist (ADAS) systems like lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and autonomous emergency braking. Upon their inclusion, the Sonet can turn out to be one of the most loaded and secure compact SUVs sold in India.
Expected Launch Timeline:
The next-gen Kia Sonet is believed to debut in the global market sometime in 2027, and a variant of it has already been spotted testing on the Indian roads. According to two separate spy shots in the past few years, Kia is toying with a more significant redesign of the compact SUV instead of a tweak that would normally be classified as a facelift.
Reports suggest that Kia might officially launch the new Sonet in late 2026 or early 2027, with a subsequent rollout in the Indian market very soon after. It is expected that the SUV will be offered with considerable design improvements, a classy interior, state-of-the-art technology, and, in the later phase, a potent hybrid engine.
This is the price that you can expect from Kia Sonet:
This model will be available at a slightly higher price for the next generation, which will be supported by more advanced safety features, styling, and interior finishes. The new-generation Sonet is said to be priced at its base petrol model starting at around ₹8 lakh (ex-showroom) and the highest models priced up to approximately ₹16 lakh (ex-showroom).
The price on the road is likely to differ depending on the city/registration fees/insurance fees. The base variant may be expected to cost some ₹9 lakh to ₹9.5 lakh on-road, while fully loaded variants equipped with turbo-petrol and diesel automatic may cost a whopping ₹18 lakh on-road in major metros.
My Last Conclusion:
The refreshed Kia Sonet will continue to do battle against the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, and Renault Kiger in the compact SUV segment. The segment is quite competitive with these SUVs in terms of features, performance, safety, mileage, and price. But Kia is poised to upgrade the situation for the Sonet with this brand-new look, a higher-quality cabin, and definitely advanced tech creep.
