Kia updates the Sonet’s feature and safety equipment list ahead of the launch of the facelifted Hyundai Venue and new Maruti Suzuki Brezza.
Kia India has updated the Sonet’s feature list with a special focus on safety. The compact SUV now starts from Rs 7.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai), and continues to get the same petrol and diesel engine options as before.
- Kia has updated the Sonet for 2022
- Gets more safety features on lower variants
- Also offered with two new colour options
2022 Kia Sonet: safety features added on all variants
Kia has updated the Sonet’s safety features by offering four airbags as standard across all variants. It will also get curtain airbags on the HTX+ variant, which was earlier available only on the top-end Sonet GTX+. These additions could be Kia’s attempt to get a step closer to the recent draft notification mandating six airbags from October 1, 2022, making the Sonet the first car in the segment to offer side airbags as standard. It is also interesting to note that only the Renault Kiger, Hyundai Venue and the Mahindra XUV300 get more than two airbags in the sub-4-metre compact SUV space, albeit only on higher variants.
Kia recently introduced the Carens MPV with six airbags as standard, and we expect the bigger Seltos to also get additional airbags on lower variants soon.
Along with side airbags, Kia has also added other safety features on the iMT-equipped HTK+ variant like Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Hill Assist Control (HAC). Moreover, the tyre pressure monitoring system will be standard across all variants.
Other changes include a new ‘Sonet’ badging, and two new exterior paint options – Sparkling Silver and Imperial Blue. Additionally, the digital instrument cluster will now be offered on the HTK variant.
2022 Kia Sonet: powertrain options continue unchanged
There are no changes to the powertrain options and Kia continues to offer three engines – an 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine; 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine; and a 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel. It comes with five gearbox options, including a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed iMT, 6-speed automatic and a 7-speed dual-clutch unit depending on what engine you choose.
Kia Sonet: rivals in India
Kia Sonet rivals other compact SUVs like the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Hyundai Venue, Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Spec-to-spec, the Sonet is one of the more expensive contenders in the segment.
It must be noted that the sub-4-metre SUV segment was created to deliver value-for-money products, thanks to the tax break. However, due to an increased focus on safety and features, prices of cars like the Kia Sonet are increasing steadily, and are now into the territory once occupied by midsize SUVs.
What do you think of the recent updates to the Kia Sonet? Let us know in the comments.
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