When Kia India launched the Sonet back in 2020, the compact SUV segment was already filled with strong players like Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and Maruti Suzuki Brezza. At the time, Kia itself was still new to India, having entered the market just a year earlier with the Seltos.
Many believe the brand is late to an already crowded party.The opportunity was clear. During the Covid period, the sub-4 meter SUV segment started to boom and, in some months, emerged as one of the fastest growing segments with growth rates exceeding 42 percent. What Kia had to do looked simple on paper, but it was far from easy. The automaker had to offer a comprehensive, well-thought-out package with enough oomph to rival the popular boys in the hood.
In September 2020, the story began to take shape.
Even before deliveries begin, the compact SUV has crossed 25,000 reservations. Sonnet announced her arrival. Six years later, this model recently crossed the sales mark of 5,000, and now let us analyze its success story.
Sonnet : The design was exactly right
First generation Kia Sonet.
One of the Sonet’s biggest strengths was its design. It looked modern and SUV-like without being overdone or polarizing. It had something to suit everyone’s tastes including young buyers and families upgrading from the gates.
Not to mention, she was distinct enough to stand out from day one. Elements like the “tiger nose” grille, sharp lighting package, aggressive bumpers and plenty of chrome work made it instantly desirable.
And voila! The recipe already has a strong base. Next, it’s time to add comfort. Now, with the passage of time, Indian buyers have moved away from wanting efficiency to wanting a little bit of everything.
Kia Sonet: Packed with features from day one
Kia has ensured that the Sonet arrives with a strong equipment list.
The model, even in its debut, offered features like a sunroof, leather upholstery, ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, cruise control, wireless charger, air purifier and Bose sound system. It also has a large 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with connected car technology. At the time, many of these features were rare or completely absent in competing compact SUVs.
Kia Sonet: Wide range of engine and gearbox options
Another major factor behind the Sonet’s success was its diverse range of engines. At launch, it offered petrol, turbo petrol and diesel engines with multiple transmission options.The 1.2-litre NA petrol engine produces 83bhp and 115Nm of torque and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The more powerful 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine delivers 120PS and 175Nm and can be equipped with either a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed DCT.On the diesel side, the car gets a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a power of 100 horsepower and 240 Nm with a 6-speed manual transmission. At launch, the Sonet was the only compact SUV in India to offer a diesel engine with an automatic torque converter. For now, you’ll continue to get these powertrain options. It was a major contributor to its sales.
Kia Sonet: Facelift and continuous development
Another thing that has contributed to its success story is that Kia is constantly updating the Sonet to keep it modern.
The 2024 facelift brought fresh styling with sharper bumpers, an updated grille and revised lighting elements. The highlight of the update was the introduction of the Assist Driver Assist System, making the Sonet one of the few compact SUVs in India to offer the Assist Driver Assist System.Besides, it gains features like a 360-degree camera and standard equipment like six airbags, electronic stability control, hill start assist, and tire pressure monitoring system.
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Kia Sonet: Sales momentum and market response
Sonet’s strong product portfolio has now led to impressive sales figures. Today, the Sonet contributes around 35 percent of Kia’s domestic sales in India and recently achieved a sales record of 5 lakh sales. Among them, 2 thousand models have been sold in the past two years alone after the improved version debuted in early 2024.Sunhak Park, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, said: “Crossing the Sonet sales mark of 5 lakh is a proud moment for all of us at Kia India.
Every Sonet sold represents a customer who believes in Kia, and this is a strong endorsement of the trust shown in us by Indian buyers. This journey reinforces how our focus on delivering purposeful design, advanced technology and dependable performance resonates with buyers across the country.
We remain extremely grateful to our customers for being an integral part of this success.”On the other hand, the success of the model was not limited to India. Exports have played an important role in its journey, with more than a thousand 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 directly on the sales charts.
