Back in 2020, the South Korean carmaker, Kia entered the sub-compact SUV segment with the Sonet. Setting new standards in the segment, the Sonet outshone its counterpart. And now after four years, the carmaker has given the Sonet a mid-life facelift. With substantial updates in design, technology, and performance, the new Sonet aims to captivate both the hearts and minds of Indian consumers. Here’s my detailed take on what the 2024 Kia Sonet facelift brings to the table.
Likes
Dislikes
Design
The 2024 Kia Sonet has received a more mature facelift, aligning it closer to Kia's global design language. The front features a new, bolder tiger-nose grille that seamlessly integrates with the reshaped headlights, which are now equipped with striking inverted L-shaped LED DRLs that command attention. Similar to what we have seen in the Seltos. The bumper too has been redesigned for a more robust appearance, and it adds to its aggressive stance.
From the profile, the Sonet maintains a familiar silhouette, but it now features new alloy wheels. Buyers can choose from two distinct 16-inch crystal-cut alloy designs; one exclusive to the top-spec Tech-Line trim (HTX+), and another shared between the GT-Line and X-Line models. Additionally, the choice of wheels for the lower-spec trims ranges between basic 15-inch steel wheels and more premium 16-inch alloys. New alloy wheel designs across various trims ensure that the Sonet stands out with a fresh appeal.
At the rear, the changes are subtler but equally effective. The taillights have been slightly tweaked and now feature a more prominent star-map pattern connected LED strip that enhances the width perception, giving it a more grounded and stable look. You will also find roof-mounted spoiler on the new Sonet.
Interior and Comfort
Inside, the cabin of the 2024 Sonet takes a leap forward in quality and feel. The dashboard layout remains user-friendly but now comes with a new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with improved responsiveness and an intuitive interface. Additionally, the Sonet continues to offer seat ventilation for both the driver and front passenger. It also retains features like an electric sunroof and a premium Bose surround sound system, ensuring a pleasant and luxurious driving experience.
Kia has also enhanced the comfort level in the Sonet with better cushioning for seats, offering good support for long drives. Rear seat space remains adequate, though still a bit tight for three adults compared to some competitors. The addition of rear AC vents and two Type C charging ports are thoughtful touches that improve passenger comfort, along with central armrest as before with cup holders.
Additionally, the Sonet continues to offer the smart air purifier with virus protection, a feature that underscores its commitment to passenger health. Remarkably, it also includes privacy blinds—a feature not typically found even in some luxury vehicles, which enhances the Sonet's value proposition further.
The Sonet boasts 385 liters of boot space, providing ample room to store luggage. Additionally, it conveniently accommodates a 15-inch spare wheel and a toolkit in the boot, ensuring preparedness for any road emergencies.
Safety on Tarmac
Safety has received a boost in the 2024 Sonet with the inclusion of additional features such as six airbags, electronic stability control, and hill assist control as standard across higher variants. The vehicle also includes a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies like a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, cruise control and an improved version of Kia’s vehicle stability management system as part of the ADAS unit. Yes, the 2024 Kia Sonet now gets Level 1 ADAS, but this didn’t function properly when I used it on highways.
The Sonet now comes equipped with a suite of 10 autonomous functions aimed at enhancing safety and driver convenience. These features include Forward Collision Warning, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Following Assist, and Lead Vehicle Departure Alert. Additionally, the vehicle is outfitted with High Beam Assist and a Driver Attention Warning system to help maintain safety and alertness on the road.
What’s on the offer?
Under the hood, the 2024 Sonet retains its engine lineup but with fine-tuning for better performance and efficiency. This includes a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.0-litre turbo petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. You get a 5-speed manual transmission with the 1.2-L NA petrol engine. The 1.0-L turbo-petrol can be had with a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed DCT automatic. Lastly, the 1.5-litre diesel engine can be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, iMT or automatic transmission. There are total three engine options, three types of manual transmissions, and two types of automatic gearboxes on offer.
The car is available in eight monotone body colours options, two dual-tone colours options, and one matte finish colour with four alloy wheel design options. Additionally, the interior can be customised with five different themes.
Engine
The Kia Sonet comes with a fuel tank capacity of 45 litres that provides an ARAI-certified fuel economy figure of 19.2 km/l in the Sonet turbo petrol DCT. Of course, the real-world numbers will be much lower considering that turbo-petrol DCTs are very sensitive to the driving style.
Kia has also equipped the Sonet with an idling start/stop feature that helps fuel efficiency in city driving conditions. This system, designed to save fuel during stop-and-go city traffic, operates smoothly and is less intrusive compared to other cars.
Driving the Kia Sonet 1.5-l Turbo Diesel AT
Now as before, the Sonet is offered in three trims – Tech-Line, GT-Line and X-Line.
Powered by a 1493cc, 3-cylinder diesel engine, the car accelerates quickly, offering smooth driving experience. In the city drives, the car’s suspensions do a pretty good job, you won’t feel much bump and crack in the road. The suspension system and chassis design, absorbs shock and provide a comfortable ride.
On the highway the handling has seen improvements as well, with a stiffer suspension setup that reduces body roll and enhances the driving dynamics. Steering is more precise, making the Sonet more enjoyable to drive on winding roads, especially on tight corners.
Price
With the addition of four recently launched entry & mid-variants, now there are total 23 variants of the Sonet. Sometimes this might be a bit confusing for the customers but if we look at the positive side, you get variety of options to choose from as per your convenience. The ex-showroom price starts at ₹7.99 lakh for the base variant, going all the way up to ₹15.75 lakh for the top-of-the-line diesel X-Line trim.
Should you buy it?
The 2024 Kia Sonet is more than just a subcompact SUV; it’s a South Korean culinary delight for the automotive enthusiasts. With its bold design, dynamic performance and innovative features, it proves that sometimes the best dishes are the ones that break the mold.
Whether you’re navigating city streets or exploring open road, the Sonet is sure to leave a lasting impression. For those looking at a stylish, feature-packed SUV that does not compromise on performance, the new Sonet certainly deserves a closer look.
