Kia India has launched the 2023 Sonet with an updated powertrain. The SUV now features engines that comply with BS6 Phase 2 and the new RDE emission standards. In addition, the updated Sonet now gets several additional features and a hefty price increase of up to Rs. 50,000. Prices of the SUV range between Rs 7.79 lakh and Rs 14.89 lakh (Both prices ex-showroom, Navi Mumbai). In other news, Kia silently introduced the other two top-selling models of its Indian lineup with updated powertrains. The carmaker has launched the new Seltos at a starting price of Rs 10.89 lakh and the Carens at Rs 10.45 lakh. Both are ex-showroom figures. Moreover, these models, like the Sonet, get RDE and E-20 fuel-compliant engines.
2023 Kia Sonet: Engine Updates
The Sonet's petrol engine range is now RDE compliant and can run on E20 fuel, a mixture of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. Mechanically speaking, the model continues to draw power from a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that puts out 118bhp and a 1.2 litre naturally-aspirated petrol unit that generates 82bhp. For transmission, the same gearboxes that were previously available for the petrol versions—a 7-speed DCT, an iMT, and a 5-speed manual—will still be available for them. As for the price structure, the petrol range has witnessed an increase between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000.
Also Read: Kia Seltos, Sonet Diesel Get iMT in India; Prices Hiked by up to Rs 50,000
To comply with RDE norms, Kia has recently updated its diesel lineup, standardising the power output to 114bhp across both available versions. Moreover, the firm has dumped the 5-speed manual transmission in favour of an iMT (intelligent manual gearbox). The price of the Kia Sonet has increased uniformly by Rs 50,000 for all available models.
2023 Kia Sonet: Features
Feature-wise, the carmaker has offered the new Sonet with an idle start/stop technology across all of its variants as standard. A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, a 4.2-inch coloured instrument cluster, Bose premium sound system with LED mood lighting, and ventilated front seats are still a part of the feature equipment list. Further, it also has paddle shifters for the turbo DCT models.
2023 Kia Sonet: Market Rivals
In terms of market competition, the new Sonet continues to lock horns with the Renault Kiger, the Tata Nexon, the Nissan Magnite, the Mahindra XUV300, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, and more in India.
Also Read: Kia Seltos, Carens, Sonet Waiting Period Goes Up to 7 Months in India
Kia EV9 Globally Unveiled
Kia officially unveiled the company's flagship EV9 SUV. The electric SUV will reportedly enter international markets later this year. Right now, there is no official confirmation, but the India-bound EV9 will be introduced by 2024. Above the Kia EV6 electric car will be the new three-row EV9. The next SUV will have a boxy shape and sharp lines, according to the EV9's final design update.
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