Kia is gearing up to introduce a facelift for its popular Sonet model, which has been a consistent performer alongside the Seltos, Carens, and EV6, contributing significantly to the company’s monthly success. The refreshed Sonet is scheduled to enter the market early next year, with an official debut slated for December 2023. This marks the first update for the sub-compact SUV since its initial launch in August 2020.
The All New Kia Sonet Facelift Teaser
The Kia Sonet facelift has recently been spotted undergoing testing ahead of its official unveiling in India and has now been officially teased. The teaser highlights various exterior and interior enhancements that will be featured in the facelift. While the Sonet will receive additional features, it is not expected to undergo any mechanical updates since its engine lineup was recently updated to BS6 Stage II-compliant engines.
Exterior updates for the Sonet facelift include revised front and rear bumpers, new LED headlamps, LED DRLs, fog lamp housing, and wraparound tail lamps with a connected LED light bar at the rear. Chrome accents add to its premium appeal, and notable features comprise a single-pane sunroof, roof rails, a shark fin antenna, and 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels with plastic wheel caps and a diamond-cut pattern. Inside, the facelift will showcase a revised dashboard design, updated upholstery, and a new fully digital instrument cluster.
Additional features include ventilated front seats, automatic climate controls, and rear AC vents. Safety updates encompass six airbags as standard, while top-spec variants may offer an ADAS suite and a 360-degree camera. Regarding powertrain options, the Sonet facelift will retain its current lineup of BS6 Stage II-compliant engines. This includes a 1.2-liter petrol engine producing 83 hp and 115 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The lineup also features a 1.0-liter turbo petrol unit generating 120 hp and 172 Nm of torque, available with 6iMT and 7DCT transmission options.
Additionally, a 1.5-liter diesel engine with 116 hp power and 250 Nm torque is offered, with transmission options of 6iMT or 6AT. Despite these updates, the Kia Sonet facelift is anticipated to come with a higher price tag compared to its current version, which is priced between ₹7.79 lakh and ₹14.89 lakh (ex-showroom). In terms of competition, the Sonet facelift will continue to compete with other sub-compact SUVs, including the Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV300, Nissan Magnite, and Renault Kiger.
