Unveiled in September 2020, the Kia Sonet became the brand’s very first India-specific offering, intended to go up against other popular compact SUVs. Five years down the line, with more than 5 lakh units sold, Kia has already started developing a successor to take over from the existing model next year.
The next-gen Kia Sonet, codenamed ‘Kia QY2E’ was spotted recently for the first time ever. Unlike other future Hyundais and Kias, whose first test mules always appear in South Korea, the upcoming Kia Sonet is being tested on Indian soil. Even with all the camouflage applied, it’s apparent that Kia has finalized the design and is testing out the prototypes with production body shells.
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As the second-gen variant of the Kia Sonet, an evolved design language can be anticipated. Starting off with the front fascia, it should be noted that the radiator grille is going to be larger in size and located lower than before, centered in the front. One of the notable styling changes to be implemented includes split headlights, which would help to create a more aggressive stance. Of course, the bumper and the air dam would be redesigned too.
On the sides, it looks like Kia has raised the beltline on the Sonet to make it look more aggressive. The new two-tone 16-inch alloy wheels designed with a geometric pattern would be added similar to the 17-inch wheels of the newly launched Kia Seltos. The rear part including combination lamps, tailgate and bumper is expected to come with a complete redesign.
Since the present generation of Kia Sonet is equipped with a single-pane sunroof, the upcoming Sonet needs to be offered with a panoramic sunroof. Internally, there would be changes from the dashboard to the steering wheel, centre console and door panels in terms of a completely redesigned interior. The upcoming Sonet may get a slim 9.9-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a 12.9-inch infotainment system based on Pleos Connect, an upgraded version of Android Automotive OS.
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The future-generation Kia Sonet must be based on the K1 chassis that serves as the backbone for the Kia Syros. Neither any new engines nor new transmissions are expected to be made available for the car upon its launch. It is official news that Kia intends to launch a hybrid version of the Sonet before 2029, which is predicted to be in 2028.
