The Kia Sonet is one of the most popular compact SUVs in India, offering a stylish design, a feature-rich cabin, and a range of engine and transmission options. For 2023, Kia has updated the Sonet to comply with the new BS6 Phase 2 and RDE emission norms that will come into effect from April 1, 2023. The updated Sonet also gets some new features and a revised variant lineup. Here are the main changes that you need to know.
Contents
Engine and Transmission
Some significant engine modifications are made to the Kia Sonet in 2023. Both the 1.0-liter turbo-petrol engine and the 1.2-liter normally aspirated petrol engine have been modified to operate on E20 fuel, a mixture of 20% ethanol and 80% gasoline. These engines continue to provide 83PS/115Nm and 120PS/172Nm of power and torque, respectively.
The biggest change, however, is in the diesel variants. 115PS/250Nm 1.5-litre VGT diesel engines replaced the 100PS/240Nm 1.5-litre WGT diesel engines. This engine also gets a new six-speed iMT (intelligent manual transmission) option, which is a clutch less manual gearbox that offers the convenience of an automatic without compromising on fuel efficiency or driving fun. The six-speed automatic transmission option continues to be available for the diesel variants.
Another new feature that has been added to all the engines is the Idle Stop and Go (ISG) system, which automatically switches off the engine when the vehicle is idle to save fuel and reduce emissions. This feature can be turned on or off by the driver as per their preference.
Kia Sonet BS6 Phase 2 Features and Design
The design of the 2023 Kia Sonet remains largely unchanged from the previous model, except for some minor tweaks to the front grille and bumper. The interior also retains the same layout and colour scheme, but gets some additional features for enhanced comfort and convenience.
Some of the new features that have been added to the 2023 Sonet are:
- ISOFIX mounts for child seats as standard across all variants
- Adjustable rear headrests as standard across all variants
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for all diesel variants
- Kia Connect Skill for Amazon Alexa, which allows voice control of various functions such as remote start/stop, climate control, horn, lights, etc.
The existing features that continue to be offered on the Sonet are:
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, and UVO connected car technology
- 4.2-inch coloured instrument cluster with multi-information display
- Ventilated front seats
- Bose premium sound system with LED mood lights
- Paddle shifters for the turbo DCT variants
- Wireless phone charger
- Air purifier with virus protection
- Sunroof
- Cruise control
- Rear parking camera with sensors
- Six airbags
- Hill-start assist
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
2023 Kia Sonet BS6 Phase 2 On Road Price
The 2023 Kia Sonet is offered in seven variants: HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX, HTX+, GTX+, and X-Line. The prices of these variants range from Rs. 7.79 lakh to Rs. 14.89 lakh (ex-showroom). Compared to the outgoing model, the prices have increased by up to Rs. 50,000 depending on the variant and engine option.
The Sonet competes with other compact SUVs such as the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Renault Kiger, and Nissan Magnite in the Indian market.
Also Read : Car Interior Accessories: Improve Your Driving Experience and Style
Conclusion
The 2023 Kia Sonet BS6 Phase 2 is a significant update that makes the compact SUV more powerful, efficient, and feature-rich than before. It also meets the latest emission norms that will be mandatory from next year. The Sonet continues to offer a compelling package of style, performance, comfort, and safety for its customers.
If you are looking for a new compact SUV in India, you should definitely check out the updated Kia Sonet at your nearest dealership or book a test drive online today.