Kia Sonet facelift global debut next year

The Sonet facelift is expected to borrow design cues from the EV9 and EV5 concept.

Published On May 29, 2023 08:00:00 AM

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The Kia Sonet is due to receive its first mid-lifecycle facelift next year, and has been spied testing in South Korea once again. The facelift will be revealed next year and come with a comprehensive cosmetic makeover inside and out. It could also benefit from the addition of a few new features, but it will remain mechanically unchanged to the current model. Although the test mule spotted is heavily camouflaged, we run through all the details that can be made out.

Sonet facelift to have major design updates
No changes expected to powertrain
Expected to get more feature additions

Kia Sonet facelift exterior design

Despite the camouflage, there are some design details that are still partially visible. For starters, the headlamps continue with a sleek, horizontal design – although the internals and LED Daytime Running Lamps could be tweaked. There seems to be a new drop-down element that connects with the fog lamp housing below, similar to Kia’s newer models like the EV9 and EV5 concept. This, in fact, hints at an all-new front bumper. What’s also visible is a wide central air intake with a larger mesh pattern than in the current car.

We do not expect any major changes to the Sonet in profile, but what’s clearly visible is a new dual-tone design for the 16-inch alloys. At the rear, we can see a new vertically oriented tail-lamp that’s likely connected by an LED light bar. This, again, is similar to what we have seen on the Seltos facelift, EV9 and EV5 concept. Expect minor tweaks to the rear bumper as well.

Kia Sonet facelift interior and features

This is the first sighting of the Sonet facelift's interior, but here too, there’s heavy camouflage concealing all details. This, however, suggests that there could be an updated dashboard design or at least new interior trims and panels. The Sonet already has class-leading features to begin with such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen, ventilated seats, a sunroof, wireless charger, ambient light and a Bose audio system. So it remains to be seen if Kia betters it, if at all. A new digital instrument cluster with more information and vivid graphics would be a welcome addition over the rather unsophisticated unit in the current Sonet.

Kia Sonet facelift powertrain options

Mechanically, however, the Sonet is expected to remain unchanged in its facelifted guise. Kia recently updated the Sonet with RDE- and E20 fuel-compliant engines, and the same is expected to be carried over as well. It will, therefore, continue with two petrol engines – the 83hp, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol and the 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine – as well as the 116hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine. Gearbox options with all engines are also likely to remain unchanged.

Kia Sonet facelift launch details

The Sonet facelift will launch in our market sometime next year. Kia also has the Seltos facelift lined up for launch by July this year. Upon launch, the Sonet will continue to rival the likes of the Hyundai Venue, the Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 300.

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