When Kia India launched the Sonet back in 2020, the compact SUV segment was already packed with strong players like the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and Maruti Suzuki Brezza. At that time, Kia itself was still new to India, having entered the market just a year earlier with the Seltos. Many believed the brand was late to an already busy party.The opportunity was clear. During the Covid period, the sub-4 metre SUV segment began to boom and, in some months, emerged as one of the fastest-growing categories with growth rates crossing 42 percent. What Kia needed to do sounded simple on paper, but was anything but easy. The carmaker had to introduce a well thought-out, all-round package with enough appeal to take on the popular boys in the hood. And in September 2020, the story started to shape up. Even before deliveries began, the compact SUV had crossed 25,000 bookings. The Sonet had announced its arrival. Six years down the line, the model recently crossed the 5-lakh sales milestone and let’s now decode its success story.
Kia Sonet : Design that was absolutely spot on
First-gen Kia Sonet.
One of the Sonet’s biggest strengths was its design. It looked modern and SUV-like without being overdone or polarising. It had something for everyone’s taste including young-age buyers and families upgrading from hatches. Not to mention, it has been premium-enough to stand out since day one. Elements like the ‘Tiger-nose’ grill, sharp lighting package, aggressive bumpers, and a lot of chrome work instantly made it desirable. And Voila! The recipe already had a strong base. Next up, it was time to add convenience. Now, with time, the Indian buyers have moved away from wanting efficiency to wanting a bit of everything.
Kia Sonet: Feature-loaded from day one
Kia ensured the Sonet arrived with a strong equipment list. The model, even at its debut, offered features such as a sunroof, leatherette upholstery, ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, cruise control, wireless charger, an air purifier and a Bose sound system. It also had a large 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with connected car technology. At the time, several of these features were rare or completely absent in competing compact SUVs.
Kia Sonet: Wide range of engine and gearbox options
Another key factor behind the Sonet’s success was its diverse powertrain line-up. At launch, it offered petrol, turbo-petrol and diesel engines with multiple transmission options.The 1.2-litre NA petrol engine produced 83 hp and 115 Nm of torque and was paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The more powerful 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine delivered 120 hp and 175 Nm and could be had with either a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed DCT.On the diesel side, it had a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 100 hp and 240 Nm with the 6-speed manual gearbox. At launch, the Sonet was the only compact SUV in India to offer a diesel engine with a torque converter automatic. Till date, you continue to get these powertrain options. And it has been a key contributor in its sales.
Kia Sonet: Facelift and continued evolution
Another thing that contributed to its success story is that Kia has consistently updated the Sonet to keep it fresh. The 2024 facelift brought refreshed styling with sharper bumpers, an updated grille and revised lighting elements. The biggest highlight of the update was the introduction of ADAS, making the Sonet one of the few compact SUVs in India to offer ADAS.Besides that, it gained features like a 360-degree camera and standard equipment such as six airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
Kia Sonet: Sales momentum and market response
The Sonet’s strong product package has now resulted into impressive sales numbers. Today, the Sonet contributes nearly 35 percent of Kia India’s domestic sales and has recently achieved a sales milestone of 5 lakh sales overall. Of these, 2 lakh models were sold in the last two years alone following the debut of the facelifted version in early 2024.Sunhack Park, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, said, “Crossing the 5 lakhs sales milestone for the Sonet is a moment of pride for all of us at Kia India. Every Sonet sold represents a customer who believed in Kia and this is a powerful endorsement of the trust Indian buyers have shown us. This journey reinforces how our focus on delivering meaningful design, advanced technology, and dependable performance has resonated with buyers across the country. We remain deeply grateful to our customers for being integral to this success.”On the other hand, the model’s success has not been limited to India. Exports have played a significant role in its journey, with over 1 lakh units shipped to nearly 70 international markets.Today, the Sonet continues to compete with models like the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Mahindra XUV3X0, often competing neck-to neck on the sales charts.
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