Kia Motors India has unveiled the Sonet Compact SUV concept during the ongoing Auto Expo 2020. This previews the company’s third model for the Indian market, after the Seltos SUV and the Carnival MPV. Production version of the Sonet SUV, which has been internally codenamed as the QYi is expected to be launched in India in August 2020.
Once launched, the Kia Sonet Compact SUV will compete against the likes of the Ford EcoSport, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV300 and Tata Nexon. It is expected to be priced in the range of Rs. 7.5 lakh to Rs. 10.5 lakh.
The Sonet concept is based on the Venue’s underpinnings. However, from the design front, the Kia Compact SUV is a lot more striking to look at, as compared to the Hyundai Venue. The front gets Kia’s trademark tiger nose grille, a wide air dam, matte-silver fog lamp housings, sleek headlamps, LED daytime running lights, and a higher bonnet line. There is black plastic cladding running on the lower portions of the SUV that manage to lend it an SUV-ish stance. On the side, the Sonet gets large alloys, flared wheel arches, and an unconventionally designed C-pillar that has the window line rising to meet the roof. Meanwhile, the rear end gets an LED light bar that pans across the width of the car and joins the two taillights at either ends.
Like the Seltos and Carnival, Kia will load the Sonet Compact SUV to the brim with features. The company has already confirmed that the Sonet will get a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a Bose sound system, front ventilated seats, and connected car features.
Production version of the Kia Sonet will be powered by the same set of engines that are seen in the Hyundai Venue. As a result, we expect to see two petrol (1.2-litre naturally aspirated and 1.0-litre turbo) and a diesel (1.5-litre) engines. Both manual and automatic transmission options will be offered. Reports also suggest that the Sonet will feature a more sporty suspension setup, as compared to the Venue.