Design and Exterior
Old Kia Sonet
The old Kia Sonet was a subcompact SUV class disrupter with head-turning styling. At the front, Kia's "tiger nose" grille was both bold and stylish—its angular design introduced a new look to this part of the compact SUV market. It had wraparound LED headlamps and taillights that flattered the design and provided excellent night illumination.
That gave it a dynamic appearance, with the sporty-muscle stance of its wheels-at-the-corners-and-hooded-legs posture. In unison, all these design aspects formed the stance of an urban adventurer who looked good within the confines of the road.
Read More: Kia Sonet Dimensions
New Kia Sonet
The outside is also slightly changed; the significant updates should make it more striking. Up front, a more angular "tiger nose" grille comes with L-shaped integrated LED headlamps and daytime running lights (DRLs). These headlamps add to the vehicle's aggressive look and aid visibility.
Along with the new grille, this bumper now features more stylish LED fog lamps. Meanwhile, the modern and sporty-looking rear gets vertically oriented LED taillights connected by a light bar running across the tailgate. The rear bumper has also been reprofiled, sans the faux diffusers, and helps tidy up the tail end.
Comparison of the Old and New Designs
These design revisions give the new Sonet a more aggressive and dominating front profile, making it seem even bolder than before. The new headlamps, taillights, and the light bar across the tailgate give it a more contemporary and up-market look.
The car's cleaner and more elegant design includes the new LED fog lamps and a re-profiled rear bumper. New features are updated to enhance the aesthetics and improve Sonet's visibility regarding design and safety. Overall, its styling has matured, making it a surprise, and to this day, we know how important looks are for many buyers.
Interior and Comfort
Old Kia Sonet
The old Kia Sonet had a spacious, well-equipped, and practical cabin, making it popular with buyers. The steering wheel and gear knob were wrapped in leather, giving a premium feel, while the automatic climate control kept you comfortable whatever the weather.
The seats were engineered for sufficient support and comfort, making longer drives easier. Inside, the vehicle was practical, with shiny, large storage spaces and intuitive controls.
Check Out: Kia Sonet Interior
New Kia Sonet
On the inside, the new Kia Sonet features a relatively unchanged cabin layout but comes with various revisions that uplift comfort and convenience. Aside from new exterior and interior colours, the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system now has updated graphics and a more user-friendly operating system for ease of use.
The digital instrument cluster has also received tweaks and has a more modern, user-friendly UI. This model also features a four-way electric power driver seat, which ensures the perfect driving position. The cabin has a premium feel, and the new LED ambient sound lighting provides elegance.
In addition, higher models get paddle shifters for a sportier drive, front-ventilated seating to keep you comfortable in warm climates, and an industry-first 7-speaker Bose audio system for more premium sound quality.
Comparison of The Old and New Interiors
Though the cabin architecture is largely identical, the new Sonet has new convenience and safety features that enhance driving pleasure. The new infotainment system, electric driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, and Bose stereo also surely add to the more luxurious experience.
These new modifications, coupled with the refreshed ambient lighting and paddle shifters, might make many buyers looking for a premium sub-compact SUV to consider booking the new Sonet. These features enhance comfort and make driving more entertaining while distinguishing Sonet from its predecessor.
Old Kia Sonet
The old Kia Sonet had various engine options to meet different preferences. These include the following:
1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine (82 bhp, 115 Nm) paired with a 5-speed manual transmission
1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (118 bhp, 172 Nm) available with a 6-speed intelligent manual transmission (iMT)
7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT)
1.5-litre diesel engine (115 bhp, 250 Nm) offered with a 6-speed iMT and a 6-speed automatic transmission.
These engine options gave a good balance of performance and efficiency.
New Kia Sonet
The engine and transmission options on the new Kia Sonet truly stand out. The engine options available are as follows -
Powerful Smartstream 1.0-litre T-GDi Petrol Engine
Refined 1.5-litre CRDi VGT Diesel Engine
Advanced Smartstream 1.2-litre Petrol Engine
The Powerful Smartstream G1.0 T-GDi Petrol Engine has a power figure of 118.35 bhp @ 6000 rpm and a maximum torque of 172 Nm @ 1500-4000 rpm. The power figure of the Refined 1.5-litre CRDi VGT Diesel Engine is 114.41 bhp @ 4000 rpm, and the torque figure is 250 Nm @ 1500-2750 rpm. The Advanced Smartstream G1.2-litre Petrol Engine has a power figure of 81.86 bhp @ 6000 rpm and a torque figure of 115 Nm @ 4200 rpm.
Also Read: Kia Sonet All Specifications
Even after all the changes, Sonet continues to provide its existing tuning of powertrains, reflecting on its feisty dynamics. What's new is the updated standard features list and the availability of diesel manual options for buyers.
Safety and Technology
Old Kia Sonet
The old Kia Sonet came equipped with a comprehensive safety kit including six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) rear parking sensors, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
They also created a very good substrate for occupant protection and driving certainty. The vehicle also provided a variety of cutting-edge tech features, such as an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, guaranteeing motorists remained connected on the road.
New Kia Sonet
The latest Kia Sonet brings a new level of safety and technology. The safety kit has six airbags on all versions, while disc brakes are now standard in every model from the HTX grade upwards. The noteworthy new features list also brings the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) package, which bundles Front Collision Warning, Front Collision Avoidance-Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and High Beam Assist, with Leading Vehicle Departure Alert on upper grades.
These ADAS features address driver awareness and potential accidents. The new Sonet also has a 360-degree parking camera that offers complete visibility of the surroundings for easy and safe manoeuvring. Other new features include an over-the-air (OTA) map and system updates, a voice-controlled window function, remote lock unlock windows with a voice command, and Kia Connect Skill integration, available via Amazon Alexa.
Comparison of the Old and New Safety and Technology Features
The Sonet has significantly improved safety and technology over the old model. ADAS features such as collision avoidance and lane departure warnings improve driver assistance and make the vehicle more secure. Due to its new technology features (like OTA updates, voice control ability, etc. ), the Sonet is even more convenient and connected.
In addition to the disc brakes on all four wheels, a 360-degree parking camera beefed up its safety profile while also making it more tech-savvy than before. They improve the overall driving experience, making this new Sonet compliant and surpassing the expectations of what contemporary drivers rightly deserve in a safer, smarter, and more connected car.
Price and Value
Old Kia Sonet
The old Kia Sonet cost ₹ 7.69 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). This pricing made it attractive for buyers seeking a value-for-money sub-compact SUV with a good mix of features, performance, and style. The Sonet's competitive pricing and extensive feature list contributed to its popularity in the market.
New Kia Sonet
The new Kia Sonet’s on-road price ranges from ₹ 8.99 lakh to ₹ 18.56 lakh in New Delhi. While the starting price is slightly higher than the old model, the new Sonet offers enhanced value through its updated design, improved interior features, advanced safety technologies, and additional comfort and convenience features.
The pricing strategy aims to position the new Sonet as a premium offering while maintaining its competitiveness in the sub-compact SUV segment.
Comparison of the Old and New Pricing and Value
The new Sonet's introductory prices are marginally higher than the old model, but the additional features and improvements justify the increase. The enhanced safety features, advanced technology, and improved comfort and convenience offerings provide excellent value for money.
The new Sonet continues to offer a competitive package in the sub-compact SUV segment, appealing to buyers looking for a modern, feature-rich, and reliable vehicle. The significant enhancements balance the slight price increase, making the new Sonet a worthy investment for those seeking a premium driving experience without breaking the bank.
Check Out: Kia Sonet Variants
Conclusion
The 2024 Kia Sonet facelift brings a refreshed design, enhanced interior features, and advanced safety and technology. While the powertrain options remain unchanged, the new model offers a more premium and connected driving experience.
Whether you're looking for a stylish urban commuter, a versatile family vehicle, or a tech-savvy ride, the new Sonet offers something. Its combination of aesthetics, functionality, and value makes it a compelling choice in the sub-compact SUV segment, and it is well-positioned to maintain its strong presence in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
