The Kia Sonet facelift is due to be revealed in full on December 14, 2023, and the Korean brand has begun its campaign to create awareness about the upcoming compact SUV. A teaser video reveals some design details and what we can expect on the inside. Prices for the Sonet facelift will be announced next year.
- Teaser shows new LED headlights and DRLs
- Sonet facelift to get kit updates and new upholstery
- Sonet facelift to get ADAS features
Kia Sonet facelift design teaser
The teaser shows that the Sonet facelift gets new LED headlights that are somewhat similar to those on the current Seltos. The light units are almost framed on three sides by the new LED DRLs. The front bumper has been replaced with a new unit, which houses horizontally-mounted fog lights below the intakes.
Kia Sonet facelift interior details
We only get a quick glimpse of the cabin of the refreshed Sonet, but we can tell that the layout has not changed much. There’s still a large centrally-mounted 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, below which, is a new small screen for displaying climate control details, along with a single line of toggles for the system. While the teaser shows analogue dials, this is actually a new digital instrument cluster similar to the one seen on the recently launched Seltos facelift. Earlier spy shots also showed new brown upholstery for the seats and a rear seat armrest. The teaser confirms a Bose music system will also continue to be offered on top-spec variants.
Kia Sonet facelift safety features
The most significant news, though, is that the Sonet facelift will get autonomous driving assistance systems. Sources tell us that like its sibling and rival, the Hyundai Venue, Kia’s compact SUV will also get Level 1 ADAS such as forward collision warning lane departure warning, forward collision avoidance assistance and warning, high beam assist, lane keeping assist and more.
Six airbags will continue to be standard across all trims, while higher trims will get a rear camera, cornering lamps, hill-start assist, ESC and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
Kia Sonet facelift powertrain options
Kia will continue to offer the same engine options as the pre-facelift Sonet. The range starts with an 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine that comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox. There’s also a 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 116hp, 250Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine. The turbo-petrol and diesel engines will retain the 6-speed iMT, though there have been mentions that the Sonet diesel-manual will be making a comeback. The turbo-petrol and diesel engines will also get the option of a 7-speed dual-clutch and 6-speed torque convertor automatic transmissions, respectively.
Kia Sonet facelift price, rivals
Expect Sonet facelift prices to increase over the current model’s Rs 7.79-14.89 lakh, ex-showroom, price range. The Sonet will continue to rival the Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger and other compact SUVs.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
