Kia South Africa has launched a significantly upgraded Sonet that features an updated exterior and enhanced interior, ensuring that the Sonet continues to remain a logical choice in the A-SUV segment of the market.
The exterior has been updated by taking inspiration from Kia’s Opposites United design philosophy and sees the sporty design embracing an even bolder and more futuristic expression that is thoroughly modern and stylish.
Updates to the front end include a new front bumper, an updated tiger nose grille and a revised fender and bonnet, resulting in a more dramatic visage that adds to the Sonet’s wide, confident stance.
Around the back the sporty, wide stance is reemphasised by a redesigned bumper and tailgate which includes redesigned taillights that now join together just beneath the rear window, resulting in a new light signature.
Inside story
The exterior dimensions of the Sonet remain unchanged and continue to translate into one of the roomiest cabins in its class, including excellent leg and head room as well as 385 litres of boot space.
The Sonet continues to boast a high-quality interior, controls that are intuitive to operate and an infotainment screen that now measures eight-inches or 10.25-inches depending on the grade. A combination of black cloth and artificial leather upholstery is fitted as standard while higher specification models feature artificial leather upholstery.
Standard safety equipment across the range includes ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control, Hill-start assist control, Isofix child seat anchors and dual front airbags.
Under the bonnet
The updated Kia Sonet retains the familiar naturally aspirated 1.5-litre MPI and turbocharged 1.0-litre T-GDi petrol engines that the range is known for.
The fuel efficient 1.5 MPI three-cylinder engine produces 85kW and 144Nm and can be paired with either a five-speed manual transmission or a Continously Variable Transmission.
The four-cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDi boasts 88kW and 172Nm and is only available in conjunction with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
A revised model line up
Along with this launch Kia has repositioned the Sonet in the A-SUV segment, resulting in an enhanced value proposition while retaining a high level of standard specification.
The Sonet LX features body-coloured bumpers and side trim as well as 16-inch styled wheels. The interior is finished in a combination of black cloth upholstery combined with artificial leather. Electric windows are on offer all round and a manual air-conditioning is fitted as standard. An eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Sonet EX builds on this base specification with the addition of rear parking sensors and fog lamps, roof rails and side mirror integrated indicators while lighting all round is upgraded to LED.
The Sonet EX Plus takes the standard specification on offer up a notch with an upgrade to a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system alongside a 10.25-inch TFT LCD Supervision instrument cluster, full artificial leather upholstery and a wireless charging pad. The exterior gains 16-inch diamond cut alloys.
The top of the range Sonet SX is bolstered by the fitment of a range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems which include Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Follow Assist and Forward Collision Assist as well as drive mode select which allows the driver to choose from one of four modes.
Model range and pricing
Pricing includes an unlimited kilometre/five-year warranty, inclusive of roadside assistance and a four-year/60 000km service plan.
Kia Sonet 1.5 LX Manual R366 995
Kia Sonet 1.5 LX CVT R391 995
Kia Sonet 1.5 EX CVT R411 995
Kia Sonet 1.0 T-GDi EX DCT R436 995
Kia Sonet 1.5 EX Plus CVT R454 995
Kia Sonet 1.5 SX CVT R484 995
