KIA Sonet

The cabin layout of the Kia Sonet looks appealing and is offered with two choices of upholstery – all black and dual-tone black and beige. Adding more youthfulness to the cabin of the Kia Sonet are modern-day features, which make the Sonet the segment-best SUV in terms of features.

The driver’s cockpit of the Kia Sonet comes with a flat-bottom multi-functional steering wheel, which has a large and wide cockpit behind it finished in a theme gloss black. Just behind the steering wheel, the Sonet has its instrument console consisting of a digital speedometer and a 4.2-inch TFT MID for the rest of the details. The top of the centre console has a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is a part of the wide driver’s cockpit.

The centre console of the Kia Sonet has vertically-laid AC vents, which have switches for automatic climate control between them. Even the corners of the dashboard come with the same design as the AC vents. The other features available in the Kia Sonet are a wireless charger, sunroof, alloy pedals, ventilated front seats, push start-stop button, rear AC vents and 7-speaker BOSE audio system.

The Kia Sonet might have a small footprint to be classified as an SUV, but then, the tall and muscular stance, coupled with high ground clearance, gives it the much-needed heightened stance. Adding to them, the Sonet also has several fancy design elements, which make it look youthful.

The front profile of the Kia Sonet looks muscular and wide, thanks to the front fascia, which gets a sleek look for the trademark ‘tiger-nose’ grille that sports a dark chrome garnish on its sides and lower part. The wide all-LED headlamps of the Sonet have characteristic heart-beat-shaped daytime running LEDs over them. The front bumper of the compact SUV also looks muscular, with satin silver cladding around the lower air dam and the vertical housings for the LED fog lamps.

The Kia Sonet has a tall stance when viewed from the side, with the SUV having a tall ground clearance and large 16-inch machined alloy wheels. The slightly bulging out front and rear wheel fenders give it some added muscularity, with the Sonet also having wheel arch moulding, side body cladding and roof rails for the authentic look of an SUV. The window beltline and door handles of the Sonet are chrome finished, giving it an enrichened look.

The rear profile of the Kia Sonet has a wraparound design for the rear windscreen, with the sides finished in gloss black knurled garnish. The combination tail lamps of the Sonet come with LED inserts, while the boot lid has a rather clean design with a couple of creases over it. The rear bumper also looks muscular with a faux silver skid plate over the thick body cladding spread across its width.

The compact dimensions of the Kia Sonet make it quite an easy car to live within urban conditions, as it is easy to steer and ride around amidst the city traffic. With drive modes on offer, the Sonet is also comfortable to drive in varied driving conditions, though the ride quality is slightly on the firmer side.

For the UAE market, the Kia Sonet comes with two powertrain combinations. First is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which produces a maximum power output of 120 PS and a peak torque output of 172 Nm and is offered with a 7-speed DCT. There is also a 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirate petrol engine paired with a CVT, which claims 115 PS of power and 144 Nm of torque.

The list of safety features offered as standard in the Kia Sonet includes essentials like six airbags, ABS with EBD, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree parking camera, electronic stability control, traction control, hill start assist and tyre pressure monitoring system.

With its urban looks, easy-to-drive nature and new-generation features on board, the Kia Sonet makes up for a potent first car for the younger car audience.