Kia Sonet 2024: New Technology Inspired By Seltos

It’s another world premiere from India for Kia. The company has unveiled the facelift of its subcompact SUV – the Sonet and there’s a lot that has changed and you can know all about it in our story here. But this article is more about the technology that Kia has packed into the car. The Sonet SUV, initially launched in India in 2020, received a refresh at an event in New Delhi. The 2024 Sonet extensively incorporates elements from its elder sibling – the Seltos and there’s a trickling down of tech features as well.

SONET GETS ADAS

A notable addition to the 2024 Sonet is the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), first seen earlier this year in the updated Seltos. The Level 1 ADAS includes 10 autonomous features, such as Front Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), and Lane Following Assist (LFA). This contrasts with the more advanced radar-enabled Level 2 ADAS found in the Seltos.

Safety remains a pivotal aspect of the company’s strategy. The new Sonet is equipped with 15 high-safety features and 25 overall safety functions. These include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), and seat belt reminders for all passengers among others.

The vehicle’s interior has undergone a significant technological upgrade, beginning with the infotainment system. It boasts a new 10.25-inch dual-screen setup – one for infotainment and another for the digital instrument cluster. Other enhancements include a 7-speaker Bose audio system and an LED ambient lighting system.

Additionally, the Sonet features a 360-degree camera system with a blind-view monitor in the instrument cluster. The Kia Connect suite for connected car technology has been expanded, now offering over 70 features, a significant increase from the 50 available at the Sonet’s 2020 launch. Innovations include ‘find my car with surround view monitor’, Hinglish voice commands (first introduced in the 2023 Seltos), and Valet Mode for monitoring the vehicle when parked by a valet. The connected car suite also integrates collision notifications from the ADAS, and a stolen vehicle notification system. Other features include remote control of the car’s windows, air purification, and lighting.

The exterior of the Sonet also sees aesthetic updates, including new star-map-styled LED Daytime Running Lights (DLRs) and crown-jewel styled LED headlamps. While these are big on looks, they also ensure energy savings. We will have more updates when we get the car for a hands on experience.