Auto Expo 2020: Kia Unveils The Sonet Compact SUV Concept

Kia has taken the wraps off its Sonet compact SUV concept at the ongoing Auto Expo in India. Kia Sonet shares its underpinnings with its distant cousin from Hyundai, the Venue but the company has gone the extra mile to make sure the Sonet bears no resemblance to its cousin at all. Upfront the Sonet has Kia's signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille with a mesh pattern, and a high bonnet with muscular creases adds to the chunky look. Unlike the split headlamp that can be found in the Hyundai Venue, Kia has instead used sleek headlights with integrated LED DRLs merging into the grille.The profile of the Sonet compact SUV concept consists of dual-tone alloy wheels, prominent wheel arches and a window line that sharply rises at the C-pillar. A pair of roof rails and contrast-colored roof and wing mirrors are also prominent. Out on the back, you see a backward sloping C-pillar merging with a sharply raked rear windshield and an LED light bar connecting a pair of sweptback tail-lamps.[gallery size="full" ids="15068,15067,15064,15069"]The Kia Sonet will be powered by the same powertrains that are found under the Hyundai Venue's bonnet. These include 1.2-liter petrol, a 1.0-liter turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-liter diesel engine. Transmission duties will be handled by a manual and an iMT (AMT automatic) gearbox. Apart from the Hyundai Venue, the Kia Sonet will also rival Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and Mahindra XUV300 when it launches in the second half of 2020.