The Kia Sonet compact SUV is soon to be launched in India, while production and supply has already begun. This here is a quick walkthrough on the highlights of this new Compact SUV in town.

Exterior: 

The new Kia Sonet, though being based on the Hyundai Venue, doesnt look anything like it. The Sonet has its own unique design with the Tiger Noise grille at the front with knurled Chrome finish and an aggressive bumper design. The new Sonet features full LED Headlamps with Heartbeat LED DRLs. The Tail lamps too receive this Heartbeat LED elements. The top trim levels will receive

funky looking 16” Crystal cut alloy wheels whereas the entry level variants receive 15 inch Steel rims. The Sonet is claimed to provide segment best ground clearance of 211mm.

Interior:

The new Kia Sonet interior features a funky design layout with improved quality. The GT line features an all black cabin while the Tech line variants get a dual tone theme. Space is expected to be similar to the Hyundai Venue while also providing ample number of features.

The top trim levels will receive an Electric sunroof, Auto headlamps, Auto wipers, Cruise control, Auto climate control, a digital instrument cluster and leather upholstery. Theres also an 10.4” touchscreen infotainment system with Android auto, Apple Car-play & Navigation on the top spec variants. This touchscreen is available with 7 Bose speakers including subwoofer and Sound mood lighting. Connected car features & telematics control unit is available through Kia’s UVO connect app featuring Remote engine Start/Stop.

Practicality:

The Kia Sonet offers segment best 392L boot space complementing all the storage options in the cabin. All variants get flat folding rear seats despite not offering split folding option.

Safety:

The new Kia Sonet will be providing Dual airbags with ABS and EBD as standard across all variants. The top variants will also receive Side & curtain airbags, Vehicle stability management, Electronic Stability control, Hill hold control, Tyre pressure monitor and smart key access system.

Powertrains:

The new Kia Sonet will carry forward the same BS6 compliant engines from the Hyundai Venue. The entry level HTE, HTK and HTK+ variants will receive the 1.2l 4 cyl petrol engine producing 83PS power through a 5 speed Manual gearbox while the higher HTK+, HTX, HTX+ and GTX+ variants get the 1L 3 cyl turbo petrol engine producing 120PS power through either a 6 speed iMT gearbox or 7 speed DCT gearbox. The 1.5L 4 cyl turbo diesel engine will be available in two state of tunes. The 6 speed manual gearbox equipped variants will get 100PS Max Power whereas the 6 speed torque converter Automatic equipped HTK+ & GTX+ variants will get higher 115PS Max Power.

Launch & price:

This Kia Sonet will go on sale in the coming weeks and compete against the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Ford Ecosport and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Prices are expected to start from Rs 8L on road for the base petrol variant and go upto Rs 14.5L for the top spec automatic variants. Stay tuned for further updates on the Kia Sonet compact SUV.

Kia Sonet Key Features :

HTE - Smartstream G1.2 5MT, D1.5 6MT :

• Dual Airbags, ABS with EBD, Rear Parking Sensors, Front Disc Brakes, Emergency Stop Signal
• Kia Signature Tiger Nose Grille, Heartbeat Tail Lamps, Halogen Headlamps
• Muscular Front and Rear Skid Plates, R15-38.1 cm (15") Steel Wheels, Wheel Cover,
• Rear Center Garnish - Reflector Connected Type, Pole Type Antenna
• Black Interior, Premium Fabric Seat, Premium Roof Lining, Silver Finish AC Vents Garnish
• Electric Power Steering, Manual Air Conditioner, Tilt Steering, Front Door Power Windows
• Front and Rear USB Charging Port, Electric Adjust Outside Mirror, Center Locking, Rear AC Vents, Front Adjustable
• Headrest, Eco Coating
• 8.89 cm (3.5") Mono Color Instrument Cluster

HTK (In addition to HTE) - Smartstream G1.2 5MT, D1.5 6MT :

• R16-40.62 cm (16") Metallic Silver Styled Wheels
• Black Interior, Semi Leatherette Seats with White Stitching
• Driver Seat Height Adjust, Keyless Entry, Rear Door Power Windows, Follow me Home Headlamps
• Sunglass Holder, Passenger Seat Back Small Size Upper & Full Size Lower Pocket
• 9.65 cm (3.8") 2 DIN Audio, 4 Speakers, Steering Mounted Audio Controls, Bluetooth, UVO Lite 

HTK+ (In addition to HTK) - Smartstream G1.2 5MT, G1.0 Turbo GDi 6iMT/7DCT, D1.5 6MT/6AT :

• Projector Fog Lamps, Auto Headlamps, Muscular Front and Rear Silver Skid Plates, Floating Type Roof Rails, Shark Fin Antenna, Outside Mirror LED Turn Signal, Radiator Grille Chrome with Diamond Knurling Pattern, Leatherette Wrapped Gear Knob (AT & DCT Only)
• Fully Automatic Air Conditioner, Electric Folding Outside Mirrors, Driver One Touch Auto Up/ Down Window with Anti Pinch Function, Rear Defogger,Rear Parcel Shelf
• 20.32 cm (8.0") Touchscreen with ARKAMYS Tuning, Android Auto and Apple Carplay, Wireless Phone Projection (Only with 20.32 cm Touchscreen),2 Tweeters, Rear View Camera with Guidelines,Driving Rear View Monitor
• ESC, HAC, VSM, Brake Assist, Multi-drive Modes & Traction Control (Only in 7DCT)

HTX (In addition to HTK) - Smartstream G1.0 Turbo GDi 6iMT, D1.5 6MT :

• Projector Fog Lamps, Auto Headlamps, ISO Fix Child Anchor
• Crown Jewel LED Headlamps, Heartbeat LED DRL with Integrated Indicators, Heartbeat LED Tail Lamps
• Electric Sunroof, Muscular Front Silver Skid Plates, Rear Bumper with Dual Muffler Design, Diffuser Fin Rear Skid Plates, Floating Type Roof Rails, Shark Fin Antenna, Outside Mirror LED Turn Signal, Radiator Grille Chrome with Diamond Knurling Pattern, Chrome Outside Door Handles, Side Door Silver Garnish
• Beige & Black Interior, Semi Leatherette Seats with Silver Stitching, Leatherette Wrapped D-cut Steering Wheel with Sonet Logo, Leatherette Wrapped Gear Knob, Smart Key with Push Button Start, Fully Automatic Air Conditioner, Cruise Control
• Remote Engine Start on Smart Key, Electric Folding Outside Mirrors, Driver One Touch Auto Up/ Down with Anti Pinch Function, Rear Defogger, Rear Parcel Shelf, Rear Seat Center Armrest, Rear Passengers Adjustable Headrest
• 20.32 cm (8.0") Touchscreen with ARKAMYS Tuning, Android Auto and Apple Carplay, Wireless Phone Projection (Only with 20.32 cm Touchscreen)
• 2 Tweeters, Rear View Camera

HTX + (In addition to HTK) - Smartstream G1.0 Turbo GDi 6iMT, D1.5 6MT :

• Highline Tyre Pressure Monitor
• R16-40.62 cm (16") Crystal Cut Alloys with Silver Wheel Caps
• Beige & Black Interior, Leatherette Seats with Silver Stitching, LED Sound Mood Lights, Leatherette Wrapped Door Trims
• Rear Wiper and Washer, Full Size Driver Seat Back Pocket
• 26.03 cm (10.25") HD Touchscreen Navigation, UVO Connected Car with OTA Map Updates
• BOSE Premium 7-speaker System, Ventilated Driver & Passenger Seats
• Smart Pure Air Purifier with Virus Protection, Advanced 10.67 cm (4.2") Color Instrument Cluster
• AI Voice Recognition with "Hello Kia" Wake-up Command, Smartwatch Connectivity, Auto Antiglare (ECM) Inside Rear View Mirror with UVO Controls
• Two Tone Roof Color (Optional)

GTX+ - Smartstream G1.0 Turbo GDi 6iMT / 7DCT, D1.5 6MT / 6AT :

• Six Airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, HAC, VSM, Brake Assist, Front & Rear Parking Sensors, Projector Fog Lamps
• Highline Tyre Pressure Monitor, Auto Headlamps, ISO Fix Child Anchor, Front Disc Brakes, Emergency Stop Signal
• Crown Jewel LED Headlamps, Heartbeat LED DRL with Integrated Indicators, Heartbeat LED Tail Lamps
• Electric Sunroof, R16-40.62 cm (16") Crystal Cut Alloys with Sporty Red Wheel Cap, Red Brake Caliper (Front)
• Kia Signature Tiger Nose Grille - Black High Glossy with GT Line Logo and Red Accents, Front Bumper with Sporty Red Accent, Rear Bumper with Dual Muffler Design and Red Accent
• Turbo Shaped Masculine Front Skid Plates, Diffuser Fin Rear Skid Plates, Belt Line Chrome, Floating Type Roof Rails, Shark Fin Antenna, Outside Mirror LED Turn Signal
• Radiator Grille Chrome with Diamond Knurling Pattern, Chrome Outside Door Handle, Side Door Red Garnish, Rear Center Garnish - Reflector Connected Type
• Black Interior, Leatherette Sports Seats with Red Stitching, LED Sound Mood Lights, Leatherette Wrapped D-cut Steering Wheel with GT Line Logo, Sporty Alloy Pedals
• Leatherette Wrapped Door Trims, Leatherette Wrapped Gear Knob, Premium Roof Lining, High Gloss Black Finish AC Vents Garnish
• Smart Key with Push Button Start, Fully Automatic Air Conditioner, Cruise Control, Remote Engine Start with Smart Key, Electric Folding and Adjust Outside Mirrors
• Electric Power Steering, Driver Seat Height Adjust, Tilt Steering, All Door Power Windows, Driver Window One Touch Auto up/ down with Anti Pinch Function, Front and Rear USB Charging Port
• Center Locking, Rear AC Vents, Follow Me Home Headlamps, Sunglass Holder, Rear Wiper and Washer, Rear Defogger
• Rear Parcel Shelf, Front & Rear Adjustable Headrest, Rear Seat Center Armrest, Upper Small Size and Lower Full Size Passenger Seat Back Pocket, Full Size Driver Seat Back Pocket, Eco Coating
• 26.03 cm (10.25") HD Touchscreen Navigation, UVO Connected Car with OTA Map Updates, BOSE Premium 7-speaker System, Driving Rear View Monitor, Smartwatch Connectivity, Auto Antiglare (ECM) Rear View Mirror with UVO Controls
• Ventilated Driver and Passenger Seat (Front), Smart Pure Air Purifier with Virus Protection, Advanced 10.67 cm (4.2") Color Instrument Cluster,Smartphone Wireless Charger, Multi-drive Modes & Traction Control (Automatic Only), AI Voice Recognition with "Hello Kia? Wake-up Command , Rear View Camera with Guidelines
• Steering Mounted Audio Controls, Bluetooth, UVO Lite
• Two Tone Roof Color (Optional)

Kia Sonet Petrol, Price (ex-showroom) :

Kia Sonet 1.2L Petrol HTE (5MT) - Rs 6.71 Lakh
Kia Sonet 1.2L Petrol HTK (5MT) - Rs 7.59 Lakh
Kia Sonet 1.2L Petrol HTK+ (5MT) - Rs 8.45 Lakh
Kia Sonet 1.0L Turbo Petrol HTK+ (6iMT) - Rs 9.49 Lakh
Kia Sonet 1.0LTurbo Petrol HTK+ (7DCT) - Rs 10.49 Lakh
Kia Sonet 1.0L Turbo Petrol HTX (6iMT) - Rs 9.99 Lakh
Kia Sonet 1.0L Turbo Petrol HTX+ (6iMT) - Rs 11.65 Lakh
Kia Sonet 1.0L Turbo Petrol GTX+ (6iMT) - Rs 11.99 Lakh

Kia Sonet Diesel, Price (ex-showroom) :

Kia Sonet 1.5L Diesel WGT HTE (6MT) - Rs 8.05 Lakh
Kia Sonet 1.5L Diesel WGT HTK (6MT) - Rs 8.99 Lakh
Kia Sonet 1.5L Diesel WGT HTK+ (6MT) - Rs 9.49 Lakh
Kia Sonet 1.5L Diesel WGT HTX (6MT) - Rs 9.99 Lakh
Kia Sonet 1.5L Diesel WGT HTX+ (6MT) - Rs 11.65 Lakh
Kia Sonet 1.5L Diesel WGT GTX+ (6MT) - Rs 11.99 Lakh
Kia Sonet 1.5L Diesel VGT HTK+ (6AT) - Rs 10.39 Lakh.

The New Kia Sonet SUV will rival likes the Ford Ecosport, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300 , Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue , Honda WR-V and Upcoming Toyota Urban Cruiser.

Ford says the new Bronco will be a body- on- frame 4x4 built to take on some of the toughest terrains. Features include a solid rear axle and an Air Roof while Ford’s Terrain Management System,Trail Control and a novel active suspension could be optional features.

Also on the cards could be a more hardcore version of the Bronco called the Wolftrak and a raptor version most probably having a V8 engine. Speaking of the looks, the Bronco sports a boxy and edgy design with round headlamps, thereby resembling with the original Bronco.

Many patent applications suggest what appears to be a

very unique concept. Several parts of the Bronco’s body could be removable like doors and the roof to allow open- air motoring. Ford has also patented a safety system which uses telescopic beams to protect drivers in a crash when the doors are removed. The Bronco could come with 10 colours as per the leaked color palette.

With the ongoing trend of Ford’s EcoBoost Engines, the Bronco could get one as well. It could most likely receive a 2.3 litre EcoBoost unit that produces 270 Horsepower and 420 NM of torque mated to a 10 Speed Automatic. A hybrid and a V8 engine are also expected.

It is also highly likely that the Ford Bronco could receive the Twin Turbocharged 2.7 litre V6 engine from the F-150 that produces 325 HP and 542 NM of torque. The off roader would be produced at Ford’s plant in Wayne, Michigan. From the looks of it, Ford plans to offer the Bronco in America initially as there are no reports of plans to offer the Bronco in other markets globally. However, Ford has filed for a Trademark on Bronco in Europe. That should say a lot.

The Bronco could be priced around 35,000$ in USA. It was expected to be featured at the 2020 New York Auto Show that got cancelled. We expect the official unveiling to occur sometime in the last quarter of 2020.

Honda has revealed the new 2022 Honda Civic in prototype form, ahead of the official debut in 2021. The new Civic was unveiled on video game streaming site Twitch to establish a connect with a younger audience, which it believes is the target customer for the Civic. This 11th generation Honda Civic has completely transformed inside and out.

Exterior

The new Civic adapts Honda’s latest design language we have previewed on the Amaze and the new City. Honda has stuck with the wide and low stance the world has come to associate with the Civic, but instead

of the aggressive, sharp fascia and body creases, the new model gets cleaner surfacing and a more grown-up appearance.

The new model gets deep-set LED headlights with angular LED daytime running lights flanking the slim grille. The front bumper is dominated by a large radiator grille, flanked by C-shaped black accents for the air intakes.

On the sides, there’s a strong shoulder line that runs from the front fender all the way to the tail-lights, and the window line features a kink on the D-pillar similar to the latest generation Accord sold overseas. This prototype gets 19-inch black alloys with 235-section Pirelli Pilot Super Sport tyres as well.

Similar to the front, the rear too is much simpler. The new car recieves a subtle boot lip spoiler, wraparound LED tail-lights and gloss black surrounds for the exhaust tips.

The new Honda Civic is expected to remain similar in size to the current-gen Civic but have a slightly longer wheelbase. The new Civic is based on an upgraded version of the current Civic’s platform, which is now more rigid to improve driving dynamics, as well as to enhance occupant and pedestrian collision protection.

Interior

The new Civic adopts a cleaner, simpler and mature design language on the inside too, and carries forward some elements from the new City. A freestanding 9.0-inch touchscreen takes the pride of place on the rather minimalistic dashboard. The new Civic will also come with a full-digital instrument cluster. Another highlight will be a honeycomb mesh finish that wraps across the width of the dash and subtly incorporates the AC vents. The centre console appears free of buttons, and only houses three dials for the climate control system.

The new Civic will also feature an electronic parking brake switch, just beside the transmission selector.

The new Civic will also get a host of active and passive safety features, new airbag designs and driver assistance systems, atleast for foreign markets. Though engine and transmission details have not been revealed yet, we are expecting more exciting options with the new Civic as compared to the current generation model.

Launch and pricing

The new Honda Civic will first be showcased in its final production form by early 2021 in the USA, while a market launch is set to take place closer to the middle of 2021. However, going by the dull sales of the current generation model in India, the 11th generation model is not expected to arrive in India before the second half of 2022. When launched, the new Honda Civic will face competition from the new-generation Hyundai Elantra and the new Skoda Octavia.