CARS OF THE WORLD

Kia Sonet 2024.

The cheap Kia Sonet crossover has undergone restyling: official footage.

The exterior was designed in the style of the new budget K3 family, but the interior of the SUV has changed little. It is expected that in its main market the model will be available with the same technology.

The updated Kia Sonet crossover was revealed back in October in photographs from the Chinese Ministry of Industry, although the small five-door is not yet sold in the Middle Kingdom (the model is presented in Hong Kong, but this is still a separate market).

The main market for SUVs is India, where the main production site is located.

So now the Indian division of Kia has officially announced the restyled Sonet: teasers have been published, and the premiere date has been announced — December 14.

Let us remind you that the Sonnet has been in service since 2020; in the brand’s line-up it is one step below the Seltos.

The front part of the SUV was redesigned, and it was designed in the style of the latest Kia K3 sedan and hatchback, which will soon supplant the “global” Kia Rio.

In particular, the Kia Sonet also received elongated headlights with sections of running lights “flowing” onto the new bumper.

In addition, the radiator grille now has a different design. Well, thanks to the certification photos, we also know that the Sonet also got a different rear bumper and vertical light blocks.

The dimensions of the Indian SUV have not yet been announced, however, its length, most likely, still does not exceed four meters (the pre-reform cross-country figure was 3995 mm), because such cars are entitled to tax incentives in India.

Meanwhile, the length of the Chinese version is 4110 mm — 10 mm less than that of the pre-restyling global Sonet (the model is still sold in the countries of the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Latin America). The wheelbase of all variants is the same — 2500 mm.

The only new thing in the cabin that is visible in the teaser is a virtual tidy. Perhaps the climate control unit has also been modernized, plus the finishing materials could have been replaced.

Indian specialized media also hope that their cross has acquired auto-braking and lane-keeping systems.

It is expected that in India the Kia Sonet will be offered with the same technology. The range of the local crossover includes petrol naturally aspirated 1.2 (83 hp) and turbocharged 1.0 T-GDI (120 hp), diesel 1.5 CRDi (115 hp).

Boxes (depending on the version) — traditional five-speed manual, 6iMT without a mechanical connection between the pedal and the clutch, a classic six-speed automatic and a seven-speed “robot” with two clutches.

By the way, in China another engine has been announced for the crossover – naturally aspirated 1.5 (115 hp). In any case, the drive is exclusively front-wheel drive.

Prices will probably rise, but not by much. The pre-reform Kia Sonet has already been removed from the Indian website of the brand; recently, such a cross cost from 779,000 rupees — that’s about 828,000 rubles at the current exchange rate.