KIA Sonet

Design & Quality

Apart from its exterior design, the Sonet has another strong characteristic, a cabin that’s both luxurious and practical. You can immediately notice the premiumness of it, by the quality of materials and also the impressive dual-tone black and beige upholstery, with a modern and tech-forward layout. The dashboard comprises a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch supervision cluster, both of which give it contemporary look and upscale vibes. The quality of the materials and fit and finish inspires confidence as far as quality goes.

Front Seat

The driver of this compact SUV is quite an exciting place to be in, simply because you get a commanding position as well as great comfort and quick access to everything that a driver wants/needs. The seat has six-way manual adjustments (EX1, EX2), so you’re quite content and comfortable when driving for long hours. The leatherette upholstery (EX2) feels premium, while ventilated front seats (EX2) keep you cool during the intense heat we have during summers. The steering wheel, with audio and cruise control buttons, is something quite awesome; most of the stuff can be accessed through it, which is convenient to the driver while on the move. intuitive, making city drives or highway cruises effortless. You also feel the great support and cushioning, which certainly is one way of reducing fatigue.

Electronic Parking Brake

The Sonet’s electronic parking brake (EPB) is a game-changer for UAE’s stop-and-go traffic. Unlike the traditional handbrake, it helps free up cabin space and simplifies handling. It is integrated with hill-start assist, which ensures smooth starts on inclines.

Rear Seat

Given this is a subcompact SUV, one can be a little moderate in expectation of space. However, despite the size, you feel this is just fine; it feels smaller, but in reality, you can stuff in a good number of people and luggage if needed. Officially, it is a seater at the rear, but two people will be more comfortable for a day-long driver. They are well cushioned, and support for your body is better, be it head, shoulder, thigh or back support. Rear AC vents and USB charging ports keep passengers comfortable along with a foldable rear armrest with cupholders.

AC Vents

The automatic climate control system cools the cabin quickly as well as effectively. So to face UAE’s blistering heat won’t be a big challenge. Rear AC vents are such that they effectively make the passenger stay comfortable at all times.

Storage Options

To store your stuff inside the cabin, there are cup holders, centre console, door-mounted bottle holders (1-litre capacity), and a rear armrest storage compartment. The glovebox is large enough to keep documents or other important items. From sunglasses to water bottles, there’s a spot for all your essentials, which shows the focus on attention to details, and at the same time helps keep your cabin clutter-free.

Armrest

The centre armrest is good for space where items like keys or chargers are stored, but it also provides good comfort to the driver and passenger.  Same at the rear, with armrest with cupholders, makes long drives a lot more comfy.

Charging Options

Stay connected with USB-C charging ports for front and rear passengers, a 12V socket, and a wireless charging pad . No matter whether you’re charging phones or tablets, Sonet helps you keep them powered, it’s easy and effortless.

Boot Space

So it is not a sedan, and a compact SUV isn’t always known for its space, yet you will find the 385-litre boot is quite practical for your everyday needs like grocery runs or school bags. Folding the rear seats expands space for larger loads, perfect for weekend trips. The low liftover height makes loading easy, a feature UAE families will appreciate.

• Six airbags 
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Traction Control
• Hill-Start Assist
• Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines

• Front and rear parking sensors
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Driver Attention Warning

• Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)

• Lane Following Assist (LFA)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)

• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• ISOFIX child seat anchors
• Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)

Kia has always been quite ahead of its rivals when it comes to exterior design, with a lot of curves, pioneering body language. The Sonet certainly carries that forward, with its stylish look, which turns heads with its compact yet imposing presence.

It comes in rather stiff compact dimensions measuring 4,120 mm in length, 1,790 mm in width, and 1,610 mm in height. The wheelbase is 2,500 mm, which is quite suitable for the UAE’s roads, be it highways or cities or towns. Same is about the 205 mm ground clearance, which is ideal to take on road speed bumps and light desert trails effortlessly.

What also defines the Sonet’s exterior is its sporty edge, which is essentially a reflection of Kia’s signature Tiger Nose grille and sleek lines.

Front

The Sonet’s front is largely about bolder appearance, where the Tiger Nose grille, framed by a knurled glossy surround, attracts all the attention. Likewise, the crown Jewel LED headlights with star-map LED daytime running lights (DRLs) are stylish but also play a key role in providing a bright light through night drive, or through UAE’s dusty or foggy conditions. Front fog lamps (EX2 trim) provide that extra visibility, making early morning drives safer.

Side

The side is appropriate for the overall exterior of the SUV, and it is not hard to recognise the superb blending of style and functional aspects. Some highlights are the floating roof rails, body-colored door handles, and power-folding side mirrors with LED turn signals, all of which make it appear premium in its segment. This is further complemented by the curved window line and black side cladding, making a rugged yet sleek look which should attract younger buyers and young, style-conscious buyers in this segment.

Alloy Wheels

The Sonet gets 16-inch sporty crystal-cut alloy wheels (215/60R16 tires) for EX1 and EX2 trims, while the LX trim gets 15-inch steel wheels with covers (195/65R15). These wheels enhance grip and handling on traffic or highways. The alloys also give the SUV a nice, aggressive, sporty flair.

Rear

Not extremely pathbreaking, but the rear of the Sonet is modern and distinctive, with connected star-map LED tail lamps that make a striking light signature at night. A high-mounted stop lamp and rear fog lamps provide safety in adverse weather, like UAE’s occasional sandstorms. The body-colored spoiler (EX2) further enhances the overall sporty touch, while the rear wiper and washer help keep the view clear.

Colors

There are as many as eight exterior colours available of the Sonet to choose from; this includes Clear White, Glacier White Pearl, Steel Silver, Gravity Grey, Aurora Black Pearl, Beige Gold, Intense Red, and Intelligence Blue. You can also choose some dual tone colours like Glacier White Pearl, Steel Silver, Intense Red, or Beige Gold with an Aurora Black Pearl roof, plus Gravity Grey and Intelligency Blue with a Clear White roof.

City Performance

The combination of 1.5L engine and CVT transmission suits perfectly, and this allows the Sonet to offer a smooth, responsive power for everyday drivers on city roads. What also helps is the compact 4,120 mm length, and the tight turning radius enables parking in cities to be a much painless job. At times, a compact SUV is a blessing when stuck in endless traffic or parking in a mall. The 18.3 km/L fuel efficiency is another strong point of the Sonet, potentially attracting a lot of buyers who prefer the SUV for daily commute.

Highway Performance

On UAE highways, the Sonet holds its own, and it feels like a pleasure to drive.  The 115 hp engine offers enough grunt for overtaking, and also for your hunger for speed, if you choose to zip through the highway’s open stretch. The Drive Mode Select (Eco, Normal, Sport) allows a superior balance of efficiency and excitement. You’ll notice the cabin is largely quiet, and for that you must thank the acoustic hood and overall NHV managed by the company’s engineers.

Ride and Handling

The ride and quality of this SUV also deserve appreciation, as the size and drivability in the city are refined along with being quite easy. The ride quality is largely defined by suspension, McPherson strut front and torsion beam rear. They are quite well tuned for ensuring a balanced ride, absorbing bumps on all kinds of road conditions. We also feel the steering is rather light as compared to several of its rivals, and so the Sonet is your perfect city SUV, but also highway and soft off-roading isn’t prohibited either.

• 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• 10.25-inch supervision cluster 

• 16-inch sporty alloy wheels 
• Leatherette upholstery 
• Ventilated front seats 
• Automatic climate control 

• 6-speaker audio system

• Keyless entry and push-button start
• Electronic parking brake with hill-start assist
• Wireless charging pad

• Electric sunroof 

• Cruise control
• Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines
• Drive Mode Select (Eco, Normal, Sport)

• Traction Mode Select (Sand, Mud, Snow)
• Smart Pure Air purifier

The Sonet is available in two variants

• Standard: The base model has some essential features including 15-inch steel wheels, rearview camera, and basic safety features. Available at an attractive price, you can go for it if the budget is tight, and don't mind much of the features; however, what is assured is the style and reliability.
• Executive: This is a top-end variant with  16-inch alloys, automatic climate control, and rear AC vents for extra comfort and tech. Leatherette upholstery, ventilated seats, a sunroof, and advanced safety features. If you can afford it, then this is the perfect choice where luxury and tech is nicely blended.

Zigwheels Recommends: Since the base variants miss out on key features and technologies, we recommend the Executive-top-end variants. With some extra price, you’re essentially getting a completely loaded SUV that will not only give you luxury but also an experience of the latest technologies, features, additional safety and ownership of a premium car.

Anyone in the market right now looking for a smart, stylish small SUV that gets done every need perfectly and efficiently should consider the Sonet. This compact SUV from Kia has everything that you need, at a very reasonable price. The style, premium interior, great city driver and also exciting highway capabilities. The punchy and efficient 1.5L engine has the power and the fuel savings, so you’re not left wanting more, and it won’t hurt your wallet at the pump. In terms of features, Kia is always ahead, and with Sonet, you get sunroof for those cooler months, ventilated seats that keep you chill in the heat, and advanced safety (ADAS) that you usually only find in way pricier SUVs.

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