Kia India launches new Sonet with ADAS and Enhanced Safety Features

Kia, India‘s leading mass premium carmaker, has introduced the new avatar of its second best-selling innovation, The New Sonet, first in India. The more muscular and sportier Sonet has been designed keeping in mind modern couples and professionals who are tech-savvy and are looking for a one-stop mobility solution. It packs ADAS with 10 autonomous features, including Front Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), and Lane Following Assist (LFA) to name a few. Combined with Robust 15 Hi-Safety features, the Sonet now boasts of more than 25 safety features. The new Sonet also becomes the only Compact SUV to offer 15 standard safety features in its segment. In addition, it hosts 10 best-in-segment features, including Dual Screen Connected Panel Design, Rear Door Sunshade Curtain, All Door Power Window one touch Auto up/down, and Smartpure Air purifier with Virus and Bacteria protection to name a few. 

After introducing industry-first standard 6 airbags in Carens and segment-first in Seltos, Kia is redefining safety norms once again. The inclusion of 6-airbags as a standard feature in the new Sonet solidifies Kia as the youngest brand to provide all its products with 6 or 8 airbags in India.

In addition to this, Kia is launching an innovative reward-based driving initiative, the ‘Kia Inspiring Drive Program’ or K.I.D, driven by technology. Accessible through the ‘Kia Connect’ app, this program evaluates Kia owners’ driving behaviour, such as seatbelt usage, sudden braking, adherence to speed limits, and more, assigning them an Ecoscore that can be redeemed for rewards. The Programme is being introduced initially for Kia Sonet owners.

Focussing on customer-centricity, Kia India also re-introduced Manual Transmission to all the variants with Diesel powertrain. With this reintroduction, Sonet now comes with:

• 5MT in HTE, HTK and HTK+ variants with Smartstream G1.2 engine
• 6MT in all Diesel variants
• 6iMT in both Petrol and Diesel variants
• 7DCT in Petrol variants, and
• 6AT in Diesel Variants

On New Sonet’s second world premiere in India, Tae-Jin Park, Managing Director and CEO, Kia India, commented,

“Sonet holds a special place in our successful India journey following Seltos. Having premiered in India with groundbreaking features and design, it has transcended borders and is now exported to over 100 countries, where we are proud to have garnered 3.68 lakh customers who truly enjoy the Sonet driving experience. With the new Sonet, our objective is to seamlessly integrate its premium features with a value-driven ownership experience, characterized by minimal maintenance costs and notably higher resale value. This unique combination is poised to resonate with a wider audience of modern consumers. Our ambition is to secure the leading position in the Compact SUV segment with the introduction of the new Sonet.”

The New Sonet – Premium with Value: Key Highlights

Safety – 25 Features:

ADAS Level 1:

The New Sonet comes equipped with 10 Autonomous features making it one of the safest and most convenient Compact SUV. 

1. Front Collision Warning (FCW)
2. Front Collision Avoidance Assist Pedestrian- (FCA-Pedestrian)
3. Front Collision Avoidance Assist Cyclist- (FCA-Cyclist)
4. Front Collision Avoidance Assist Car- (FCA-Car)
5. Leading vehicle departure alert – (LVDA)
6. Lane Departure Warning- (LDW)
7. Lane Keep Assist- (LKA)
8. Lane Following Assist- (LFA)
9. High Beam Assist- (HBA)
10. Driver Attention Warning- (DAW)

Robust 15 Standard Safety Package (Standard across variants):

1. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
2. Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
3. Hill-start Asist Control (HAC)
4. Front Dual Airbags 
5. Front Seat Side Airbags
6. Side Curtain Airbags
7. Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
8. Brake-force Assist System (BAS)
9. Rear Parking Sensors
10. Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
11. Highline Tyre Pressure Monitor
12. Speed Sensing Auto Door Lock
13. Impact Sensing Auto Door Unlock
14. 3-Point Seatbelts (Front and Rear All Seats)
15. Seat Belt Reminder (Front and Rear All Seat)

Exterior: Sporty and Upright design to give Sonet a Bold and Masculine stance.

The New Sonet resonates with modern Indian consumers who aspire to own a vehicle that suits their personality and differentiates them from the crowd. With the product upgrade, Sonet retains its masculine stance with an upright body style, which gives it a distinctive road presence. The key changes to the new Sonet are:

1. Crown Jewel LED Headlamps
2. Star Map LED DRLs
3. Star Map LED Connected Tail Lamps
4. Sleek LED Fog Lamps (GTX+/X-Line) and ICE-Cube LED Fog Lamps (HTK+, HTX & HTX+)
5. Star Map LED Connected Tail Lamps
6. Sporty Aerodynamic Skid Plates
7. R16 Crystal Cut Alloy Wheels 
8. Body Colour Rear Spoiler (GTX+/X-Line)
9. New Bumper Design
10. 8 Monotone, 2 Dual Tone and 1 Matte Finish colour
11. Introduction of New Pewter Olive Body colour

Interior: A comfortable and luxurious cabin experience

The interiors of the new Sonet redefines the in-cabin experience with the tech-oriented dashboard, a host of convenience features and plush materials:

1. The LED Ambient Sound Lighting
2. BOSE Premium 7 Speaker System, enhancing the travelling experience of the patrons
3. Dual Screen Connected Panel Design Full Digital Cluster with 26.04cm (10.25”) Colour LCD MID and 26.03cm (10.25”) HD Touchscreen Navigation 
4. 60:40 Seatback Split Fold Seats 
5. New GT Line Logo on Steering wheel

1. 5 interior colour options with 1 new colour
   1. All Black
   2. Black and Beige Dual Tone
   3. All Black interior with premium Brown inserts (New Colour)
   4. All Black interior with Sporty white inserts
   5. All Black interior and Xclusive Sage Green inserts

Convenience Features: 

1. 360 Degree Camera with Blind View Monitor in Cluster
2. 4-Way Power Driver’s Seat

Kia Connect:

Sonet created a benchmark in the segment with over 50 Connected Car features when it launched in 2020. Aligning itself to the market demands and customer preferability, Kia now packs over 70 Connected Car features under the 5 base pillars – Safety & Security, Convenience, Remote Control, Navigation, and Vehicle Management. By connecting the customers to the cars, these features not only offer convenience but also secures the vehicle and the occupants in various aspects. The key Connected Car features of Sonet are:

1. Find My Car with Surround View Monitor (SVM)
2. Hinglish VR Commands
3. Vallet Mode
4. Remote Window Control
5. Air Purifier Control
6. Advanced Auto Collision Notification (AACN)
7. Stolen Vehicle Notification
8. Remote Light Only

You can add more to this story by commenting below.