Today I attended the local launch of the face-lift KIA Sonet, the baby crossover/ SUV in the KIA range has gotten better in more ways than one. I always felt KIA was a more premium brand coming out of Korea and after attending today's launch it only cemented my thoughts about them. Seeing the new design language applied across the fleet, giving them a very unique but elegant feel with a modern touch. The Sonet, even at base model has so much to offer, that some of its rivals can't even be called that because of how much more the Sonet has to offer.
The new Sonet comes with two engines to choose from, the 1.5L naturally aspirated motor that has an option of a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic CVT gearbox and the 1.0L Turbo-petrol engine that only is offered with the CVT transmission. The Sonet does come in a few derivatives, each one offering more tech and safety features with it starting at R366,995 for the LX 5-speed manual all the way up to R484,995 for the 1.5 SX CVT model.
There were two options available for us to drive on the launch, first up being the LX 1.5L CVT. The thing that grabs you immediatly when you get into the Sonet is how spacious the cabin is of it, being the smallest SUV in the KIA stable, it really is quite roomy on the interior. The materials, while more plastic and cloth, still feels good and durable, not cheap and tacky like some of its competitors. The engine goes well and unlike other CVT's on the market. The KIA one doesn't seem to struggle when it comes to selecting the right gear for the driver. It's a smooth seamless change that doesn't get your frustrated especially when overtaking or going up hill. The ride quality is smooth and comfortable, even with the newly designed 16-inch steel design rims. Tech wise, the Sonet LX does come with an 8-inch touch screen infotainment unit with wireless mobile app connectivity.
After lunch I got to jump into the 1.0L T EX DCT, this model comes with a more premium interior that includes leather wrapped steering and gear shifter, center consol with arm rest, cruise control and auto folding side mirrors. The key stand out design element is the LED day time running lights for both front and back of the car. These really give the KIA Sonet a stand out presence on the road, especially when viewed from a rear view mirror. The DCT gearbox coupled with the 1.0L Turbo engine is extremely spritey, especially on the open road where it picks up speed quite quickly. The handling is extremely good and and while there is cabin noise, it's not as bad as others on the market.
Overall, first impressions on the new Sonet are good, and as usual the brand has done an extremely good job on delivering another great product for our market. Full review of the new Sonet will come soon once we get it on test. For pricing on the models, see below.
- Sonet 1.5 LX Manual - R 366,995
- Sonet 1.5 LX CVT - R 391,995
- Sonet 1.5 EX CVT - R 411,995
- Sonet 1.0T EX DCT - R 436,995
- Sonet 1.5 EX Plus CVT - R454,995
- Sonet 1.5 SX CVT - R 484,995
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