Kia Sonet facelift to debut tomorrow: What should you expect?

Kia is preparing to reveal the India-spec Sonet facelift ahead of a pricing announcement early next year. This is the first substantial redesign for the popular sub-4m SUV since its market debut in mid-2020. Let's take a look at what you should expect ahead of the vehicle's official debut.

Kia Sonet facelift: Variants and Colours

The upcoming updated Sonet, according to a leaked brochure, will be available in seven variants: HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX+, GTX+, and X-Line across 11 paint options. These colours include eight single-tone and two dual-tone shades, along with a matte paint job, such as Intense Red, Glacier White Pearl, Gravity Grey, Clear White, Sparkling Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, Imperial Blew, and a new Pewter Olive shade, which debuted with the Seltos facelift.

Customers will also be able to choose from Glacier White Pearl and Intense Red paired with Aurora Black Pearl roof. Last but not least, there will be Xclusive Matte Graphite paint specially allocated for the X-Line variant.

Kia Sonet facelift: Design

As seen in the image, the redesigned Kia Sonet is painted in red and features a reworked front fascia with a smaller grille. The facelifted sub-4-metre SUV has new LED headlights that are slightly identical to those seen on the current Seltos. The only change to the side profile is the new set of alloy wheels.

Lower variants of the Sonet models will continue to be equipped with halogen headlights rather than LEDs. Kia's 'tiger-nose' grille has also been changed, as has the new, more aggressive bumper. Aside from that, the fog lamps are now horizontally positioned and fairly thin.

Kia Sonet Facelift: Powertrains

The existing 83PS and 115Nm, 1.2-litre petrol engine, the 120PS and 172Nm, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, and a 116PS and 250Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine are anticipated to be retained in the Sonet facelift. The petrol engine is likely to be paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, while the turbo-petrol and diesel engines will continue to use the 6-speed iMT. They will also receive a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and a 6-speed automatic transmission, respectively.

Kia Sonet facelift: Features

The leaked document also reveals that the facelift will bring a host of new features to the new Sonet, such as rear-wheel disc brakes, four-way powered driver's seat, new traction modes for automatic variants (sand, mud, and wet), drive modes (normal, eco, and sport), LED ambient sound lighting, a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, auto-dimming IRVM with Kia Connect control, updated Kia Connect, air purifier with virus and bacteria protection, rear door sunshade curtain, 360deg camera with blind view monitor, and Amazon Alexa support. Kia will also bestow it with a seven-speaker Bose sound system and ventilated front seats.

Plus, it will get ADAS similar to the Venue, comprising Forward Collaision Warning, Forward Collaision Avoidance Assist (pedestrian and cyclists), Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, High Beam Assist, and Driver Attention Warning.

Kia Sonet facelift: Prices

Currently, the on-sale Sonet is priced between Rs 7.79 lakh and Rs 14.89 lakh (ex-showroom). We expect the new prices to start from Rs 7.99-8.20 lakh and go up to Rs 15.20-15.60 lakh. Upon launch, it will take on the Tata Nexon facelift, Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, and the upcoming Mahindra XUV300 facelift.

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