Kia Sonet

Powerful engine and ESC, better than the Urban Cruiser in those departments.

But no cruise control, no LED lights front or rear, no DRLs, no start/stop button, no smart entry, no rain-sensing wipers and no auto aircon.
Toyota Urban Cruiser has the above for just a bit more money. Come on Kia.
 
Driven: Kia Sonet 1,5 EX is a winning formula

A generation ago the same car might’ve come out with a turbodiesel option, as well as the 1,0T due later in the year, but today there’s only the 85 kW and 144 N.m 1,5-litre naturally aspirated MPI engine in service – a motor which delivers its motive force in a straightforward manner. Kia South Africa quotes 0-100 km/h in 11,8 seconds and a top speed of 170 km/h, which is par for the course for a car of this ilk; although, in practice – thanks in part to the competent CVT – responsiveness and point-to-point pace is more impressive than it might sound in theory.

If you want some more urgency to go with your compact crossover, you’ll have to wait a while longer for the 1,0T GT Line to arrive. However, having sampled the first wave; as something to whet the appetite of the buying public, we can highly recommend Kia’s latest offering. The Sonet won’t just get bums in seats, with luck it will grow roots and help cement a dominant position in a fast-growing segment.

Kia Sonet prices range from R264 995 to R305 995. Click here to view the full pricing and standard features.

Fast Facts

Model:Kia Sonet 1,5 EX CVT
Price:R305 995
Engine:1,5-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol
Power:85 kW @ 6 300 r/min
Torque:144 N.m @ 4 500 r/min
0-100 km/h:11,8 seconds
Top Speed:170 km/h
Fuel Consumption:N/A
CO2:163 g/km
Transmission:CVT

www.carmag.co.za

Driven: Kia Sonet 1,5 EX is a winning formula - CAR Magazine

When it comes to affordable crossovers, who did something first, whoever it was, hardly matters to consumers nowadays. What’s more important than legacy is when […]
www.carmag.co.za www.carmag.co.za
 
Specs and pricing: The all-new KIA Sonet has been launched in SA

Said to be manufactured to the highest quality standards at its state-of-the-art production facility at Anantapur, India, the KIA Sonet is the South Korean brand’s all-new smart urban compact SUV, marking the brand’s entry into the burgeoning B-SUV segment in South Afric

For now, here’s a quick look at the specification breakdown and pricing:

ENGINE: The Sonet is offered with a new engine for the South African market: a fuel-efficient naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine that boasts outputs of 85kW of power at 6300rpm and 144Nm of torque at 4500rpm.

GEARBOX: Customers have a choice between a 6-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Two trim levels will be available with both transmission options.

Feature highlights on the entry-level KIA Sonet LX derivatives include:

20cm infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Remote central locking

Air-conditioning

Bluetooth

Front and rear electric windows

Electric mirrors

6 speakers

15-inch steel wheels

Height-adjustable driver’s seat

Automatic headlamp activation

Rear-view camera

Combination artificial leather and cloth seat trim

KIA Sonet EX models gain the following on top of LX specification:

Rear park distance control

Leather steering wheel and gear knob

Silver skid plates

16-inch alloy wheels

Roof rails

Side repeater lamps

Front fog lights

All KIA Sonet models offer:

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ABS with EBD

Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)

Dual front airbags

ISOFIX child-seat anchoring points

KIA Sonet South African recommended retail prices:

Sonet 1.5 LX Manual - R264 995

Sonet 1.5 LX CVT - R285 995

Sonet 1.5 EX Manual - R284 995

Sonet 1.5 EX CVT - R305 995

www.iol.co.za

Specs and pricing: The all-new KIA Sonet has been launched in SA

KIA has just launched a spicy India-sourced newcomer in the compact crossover segment
www.iol.co.za www.iol.co.za
 
Kia Sonet (2021) Launch Review

Kia has expanded its compact family car line-up in South Africa with the introduction of the diminutive Sonet, which shares its underpinnings with the popular Hyundai Venue. Think of it as the baby brother to the Seltos. What's it like to drive, what's on offer and how much can you expect to pay? Let's find out!

We had opportunities to drive both manual and automatic derivatives of the Sonet EX. The 6-speed manual shifts quite positively, but you may find yourself forgetting to change up into 6th (top) gear, because the newcomer's sound insulation mutes the high-revving motor's machinations admirably. While some models in this segment feature 5-speed transmissions, the provision of an additional gear should benefit fuel consumption. Although claimed consumption figures weren't included in Kia's press material, after 2 days of driving, the trip computer in the car we drove displayed 5.9 L/100 km!

As for the CVT, well, these types of "slushboxes" have come a long way since the early examples, which tended to drone incessantly and feel sloppy – the Kia's transmission is certainly one of the better examples. Not only does it quietly and seamlessly hustle the Sonet about, but it facilitates good economy: after our return trip to Cape Town, the automatic EX indicated a commendable 5.6 L/100 km.

Summary

As its first attempt at a budget small crossover, Kia has positioned its Sonet exceptionally well, price-wise. While we'd like more time behind the 'wheel of the Korean model on roads that we drive on every day (as opposed to the spectacular open roads of the launch route), first impressions count for a lot; the Sonet is an exceptional offering. It's a well-priced and -specified compact family car that won't break the bank, plus it offers a bundle of personality in one cute-looking yet functional package. And don't forget the excellent Kia warranty and service plan, which should give consumers peace of mind.

We reckon the Sonet will sell even better than the more expensive Seltos, and while some buyers may feel tempted to wait for the flagship variant, the naturally-aspirated derivatives represent great value. The small crossover/compact family car is well and truly the flavour of the month, but as a consequence, the Sonet may well cannibalise sales of the conventional models like the Rio compact hatchback.

www.cars.co.za

Kia Sonet (2021) Launch Review

Kia has expanded its compact family car line-up in South Africa with the introduction of the diminutive Sonet, which shares its underpinnings with the popular Hyundai Venue. Think of it as the baby brother to the Seltos. What's it like to drive, what's on offer and how much can you expect to...
www.cars.co.za www.cars.co.za
 
DRIVEN: All-new KIA Sonet ticks all the right boxes at just the right price

Driving up mountain passes though there’s a whine as you push the accelerator with a slow response to pick up speed. It’s here that the manual makes more sense but to be honest I doubt very much that it will be a deal-breaker to the average consumer and the Sonet’s target market.

Sitting in the traffic loaded with children and their school paraphernalia, road trips on holiday and occasionally driving to the office, in our “new normal” circumstances is likely to fill the bulk of the Sonet’s time and in that regard it really excels.

Kia has a winner with its introduction to the SUV range. It’s well specced, solidly put together, has an impressive list of safety technology and is well priced to be more than just a disruption in the segment.

It comes with an unlimited-kilometre/five-year warranty (inclusive of Roadside Assistance), as well as a pre-paid four-year/60 000 km service plan.

2021 KIA SONET PRICING IN SOUTH AFRICA

1.5 LX Manual: R264 995

1.5 LX CVT: R285 995

1.5 EX Manual: R284 995

1.5 EX CVT: R305 995

www.iol.co.za

DRIVEN: All-new KIA Sonet ticks all the right boxes at just the right price

With ample space and a decent drivetrain, the KIA Sonet is looking to pick a fight with Ford’s Ecosport, Honda’s WR-V and Toyota’s Urban Cruiser
www.iol.co.za www.iol.co.za
 
@FiestaST Thanks for the info on the thread, nice work! Any idea on the features the new variant of the Sonet will come with, other than the 1.0L turbo? I went to a Kia branch and either they don't know (of course likely) or they're refusing to spill the beans :rolleyes: 6 airbags would be ideal (like some Sonet variants in India) wouldn't say no to keyless entry and stop/start either! I also get this feeling they'll push the launch to next year given the big backlog in orders for the current models.
Let me know if you have some more info. Looking forward to further posts on here :thumbsup:
 
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