Kia Sonet facelift exterior fully revealed

These are the first undisguised images of the Kia Sonet facelift that’s due to launch in India in the next 3-4 months. While several camouflaged test mules have been spied on multiple occasions before, these images that have surfaced on the internet give us a complete look at the exterior design of the updated Sonet.

The Sonet pictured here is for overseas markets and is longer than four meters in length. According to Kia India, the Sonet facelift that is headed to our shores will have slightly different looking front and rear bumpers from the one seen in these leaked images. 

1. India-bound Sonet facelift will slightly differ in design 
2. Likely to remain mechanically unchanged
3. Launch is expected in the coming months  

Kia Sonet facelift exterior design revealed

This is the first mid-lifecycle update for the Sonet since its launch in September 2020, and changes will only be limited to plastic parts. The most noticeable of these are the new front bumper and headlamp assembly – the main headlamp cluster has largely retained its shape, but there’s a new drop-down element that extends into the bumper below and comes with revised LED Daytime Running Lamps and fog lamps. 

Going by the bumper, this seems to be an HT Line variant that gets a slightly redesigned faux skid plate and mesh for the central air intake. The GT-Line variants could have a different bumper design. Kia also seems to have updated the grille inserts, although the overall shape remains similar. 

There aren’t any significant changes in profile save for the new alloy wheels that’ll likely differ on the HT-Line and GT-Line trims. At the rear, the wraparound tail lamps have been swapped with new vertical units that are now connected by an LED light bar. It also gets a much chunkier rear bumper with a dual-tone black and silver finish.

Kia Sonet facelift interior

Although these images do not give us a look at the interior of the updated Sonet, previous spy images have hinted at slightly updated switchgear for the HVAC controls and an all-new digital instrument cluster from the new Venue. Additionally, the Sonet is also expected to get a new brown colour for the upholstery and an armrest for the rear seat, with the latter making a comeback.

Kia Sonet facelift powertrain

The Sonet facelift is likely to continue with the existing 83hp, 115Nm, 1.2-litre petrol engine, a 120hp, 172Nm, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 116hp, 250Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine. The petrol engine is expected to be mated to a 5-speed manual, while the turbo-petrol and diesel engines will retain the 6-speed iMT. Additionally, they will also get a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and a 6-speed automatic, respectively.

Kia Sonet facelift India launch, rivals

Kia is expected to launch the Sonet facelift in the next 3-4 months, and it will rival the Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger. Expect a marginal step up in prices as well.