The Kia Sonet is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Kia since 2020. Positioned below the Seltos and closely related to the similarly sized sibling Hyundai Venue,[7][8][9] it is sold in emerging markets, including Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.[10]
The Sonet was previewed as the Sonet Concept in February 2020.[11] The production version made its global debut on 7 August 2020 and was sold starting from 18 September 2020 in India.
In the Indian market, the Sonet occupies the sub-four-metre SUV category with its 3995 mm length dimension, benefitting from the Indian tax benefits for cars shorter than four meters. For export markets, the Sonet is equipped with longer front and rear bumpers, increasing its length to 4120 mm.[15][16]
The facelifted Sonet was unveiled on 14 December 2023. It features redesigned front and rear fascia with redesigned headlights and taillights. The interior gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen.
In January 2024, Yueda Kia joint venture in China started producing the facelifted Sonet. The first production batch was exported to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia.[4] In April 2024, the facelifted Sonet went on sale in China.[17]
For the Indian market, the Sonet is available in nine trim levels: HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK(O), HTK+, HTK+(O) HTX, GTX+ and X Line. Three engine options are available: a 1.0-litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol, a 1.2-litre MPi petrol and a 1.5-litre CRDi turbocharged diesel.[18] At launch, the GTX+ trim was the variant high in customer demand.[19]
In September 2022, the flagship X-Line trim was introduced which consists of cosmetic changes instead of mechanical changes. It was available with either 1.0 T-GDi petrol or 1.5 CRDi diesel engines.[20]
The facelifted Sonet went on sale in India on 12 January 2024, with the addition of new variants and engine options remain unchanged from the pre-facelift model.[21] By September 2024, the car sold more than 450,000 units in India and export markets.[22]
The Sonet was launched in Indonesia on 11 November 2020, in five trim levels: Standard, Active, Smart, Dynamic and Premiere; it is powered by a 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine paired to either a manual or an IVT.[23]
A version of the Sonet with three-row seating was introduced in Indonesia in April 2021.[24] Marketed as the Sonet 7, the third row bench seat is installed without any exterior bodywork changes, meaning with the third row seat up, the boot space is effectively eliminated. The Sonet 7 is also equipped with a roof-mounted air circulator system, and a revised second row bench seat with split folding and a one-touch folding mechanism which allows access to the third row.[25] The Sonet 7 was discontinued in 2022.
The facelifted Sonet was launched in Indonesia on 25 September 2024 with two trim levels: Premiere and Ultimate; it is powered by a 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine.[26]
The Sonet was launched in Mexico on 16 March 2024, with three trim levels: LX, EX and SX. Imported from China (Yueda Kia), it is powered by a Smartstream G1.5 MPi that produces 113 hp and 144 Nm of torque, paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission (LX) or an IVT (EX and SX).[27]
Three months after its release in Mexico, the Sonet was launched in the Philippines on 6 June 2024, with three trim levels: LX, EX, and SX. Unlike in Mexico, the Philippine-spec Sonet offers both manual and automatic transmissions for the LX variant. It is imported from China (Yueda Kia) and replaces the Stonic. The Sonet is powered by a Smartstream G1.5 MPi, paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or an IVT.[28][29] In November 2025, the K-Style Edition variant was made available limited to 150 units.[30]
The Sonet was launched in South Africa on 11 May 2021, with two trim levels: LX and EX; it is powered by a 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine paired to either a manual or an IVT.[31]
In July 2022, the 1.0 T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine was introduced in South Africa and was available in the new EX+ trim.[32]
The facelifted Sonet was launched in South Africa on 14 June 2024, with a new SX trim and the 1.0 T-GDi engine option was only made available for the EX trim.[33] The entry-level LS trim was added to sit below the LX in October 2024.[34]
The Sonet was launched in Vietnam on 9 October 2021, alongside the fourth-generation Carnival. At launch, three trim levels were available: Deluxe, Luxury and Premium; it is powered by a 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine paired to either a manual (for the Deluxe trim) or an IVT.[35]
The facelifted Sonet was launched in Vietnam on 8 June 2024, with the same trim levels from the pre-facelift model.[36][37] The entry-level Standard variant using the same 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine from upper trim levels was added in September 2025.[38]
The Kia Sonet has not yet undergone official crash testing by Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP, so its safety rating remains unknown. However, considering that other Kia models like the Kia Carens and Kia Seltos have received 3-star ratings from Global NCAP, and given Kia's aim for a 5-star rating with the Sonet based on its safety features, it's expected that the Sonet could achieve a similar or better score.[39][40]
