The Kia Sonet concept confirmed to become a production model & go on sale in India later this year.
Korean automaker Kia was in India recently for the Auto Expo, where they unveiled the Sonet compact SUV concept.
Rather than being a one off for a show, the Sonet is a near production-spec model. Codenamed the QYi, this small SUV is expected to be an official part of the Kia family in later part of the 2020.
Kia Sonet concept video
While the Kia Sonet rides on the same platform as the Hyundai Venue, Kia has gone out of their way to ensure that no one will think that the two SUV’s are exactly alike.
The Sonet looks completely different than the Venue on the inside and out, with the exterior sporting what can best be described as a curvaceous sense of style. The Kia tiger nose grille is found up front, but it comes with a very cool looking mesh pattern.
Directly below the grille is a central air dam that has matte-silver fog lamps inserted on either side, as well as large air vents. Rather than going the split headlight route, Kia instead opted for headlights that come with integrated LED lights that merge into the grille. The chunky look is completed with a high bonnet that features deeply defined creases.
Moving around to the side of the Sonet, you are greeted by oversized dual-tone alloy wheels and prominent wheel arches. There are a pair of roof rails on top, as well as a contrast-colored roof and side mirrors. The window line rises sharply at the C-pillar.
Around back, the Sonet delivers several unique elements. One such element is a C-pillar that slopes backward to merge with a sharply raked windshield. The rear end is wide on the Sonet, with an LED light bar and sweptback taillights highlighting that width.
Black body cladding is used to great effect on several different areas of the vehicle, helping make the SUV that much more rugged looking. Kia used red accents in places such as the door sills and wheels, which might suggest that they are looking at a GT Line trim version, much like what they did with the Soul crossover.
There have been some spy pics released of the Sonet undergoing road tests in South Korea, with a number of design details being confirmed through those shots.
When the Kia Sonet does eventually go into production, we expect that the compact SUV will come with a loaded cabin space that will include things like a Bose sound system, UVO connected tech, and front ventilated seats, to name but a few.
When it comes to engine options for the Sonet, expect to see the same units found in the aforementioned Hyundai Venue. That would mean a 1.2-litre petrol, a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine, with the option for automatic or manual transmissions.
Cars like Kia Sonet (In India)
When the production-spec Kia Sonet compact SUV arrives later in 2020, it will have some stiff competition. Other vehicles in the segment include the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport, and Mahindra XUV300.
This is a battle that Kia has experience with, though, as they took over the compcact SUV segment in India when they released the Seltos. It would not be a surprise to see them do the same when the Sonet arrives later this year.
Kia Sonet concept SUV pictures
Will Kia Sonet go on sale in U.S.?
It may be that the Kia Sonet will go on sale in the United States. We have seen the Hyundai Venue launched in U.S. just recently, so there’s no reason why Kia wouldn’t do the same.
If the carmaker decides to launch the Sonet in U.S., we will sure report on that. Stay tuned!
