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Kia’s India-focused sub-4 metre SUV set to undergo a full makeover next year and challenge the likes of Renault Bridger and Tata Nexon
The Kia Sonet, the South Korean automaker’s first product in India’s booming compact car market, has helped the brand grow significantly since its launch in 2021. A full redesign is in the works, programmed to be rolled out in 2027, and it will make the Tata Nexon rival a more appealing product in several aspects.
The next-gen Kia Sonet will be bigger than the current model and address one of the main shortcomings of the current model – space. Kia has started testing the redesigned model on public roads, and images captured of early prototypes clearly indicate it will be bigger.
Based on a new ‘K1’ platform, the next-gen Kia Sonet will likely be 10-15 mm wider and have an approximately 50 mm longer wheelbase. It should offer better shoulder room and leg room in the rear. The all-new model will communicate its larger footprint with a stronger, more imposing exterior design. Split headlamps, an upswept beltline, a sleeker greenhouse, and T-shaped tail lights are likely to be among the key design changes.
Also Read: 4 New Kia SUVs Undergoing Testing In India; Key Details
Inside, the next-gen Kia Sonet would have a more contemporary design and leverage the K1 platform’s new E/E architecture to incorporate new dashboard displays, including a 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster, a 5-inch climate touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch HD infotainment touchscreen, running the ccNC software. A panoramic sunroof and Level 2 advanced driver assistance are also expected to be among the main upgrades.
The next-gen Kia Sonet will likely be introduced with the familiar 82 hp/115 Nm 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 118 hp/172 Nm 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol, and 114 hp/250 Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engines. 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic will likely be the available transmission choices.
Also Read:Tata, Hyundai, Toyota & Kia Ready Major New Electrified SUV Launches In India
At the 2026 CEO Investor Day held in April, Kia confirmed plans to launch a hybrid variant of the Sonet. The company will introduce it a year or two after the lifecycle makeover next year, in 2028 or 2029. The hybrid variant is likely to be significantly more fuel-efficient than the ICE variant and likely to be essential when Kia decides to axe the diesel option in the future due to stricter emission norms.
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