Kia Sonet gets turbocharged engine

The Kia Sonet has been a runaway success since its launch a year ago, with 3500 units finding homes during that time

Now, the addition of the 1.0 T-GDI engine brings turbocharging to the range, which until now has been powered exclusively by a 1.5-litre engine in entry-level and mid-tier EX specification. Along with the new engine is a flagship EX+ specification.

Under the bonnet

The Kia Sonet 1.0 T-GDi features Kia’s advanced 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo charged petrol engine that boasts 88kW at 6 000rpm and 172Nm between 1 500 and 4000rpm. A seven-speed automatic transmission takes care of the gear changing duties.

The new engine has been tuned with characteristics that make it easy to drive such as sufficient punch to overtake and low engine speed when cruising on the highway for improved fuel consumption.

Mid and high specification models now on offer

The mid-tier EX derivative is well equipped and features an 8.0-inch HD touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth with voice control, height adjustable driver’s seat, leather trimmed steering wheel and gear shifter, rear-view camera and rear park distance control, a combination of artificial leather and cloth seat trim, 16-inch alloys and automatic headlamp activation. Safety features include ABS with EBD and ESC, Hill-start Assist Control, dual front airbags and Isofix child-seat anchoring points.

In addition to the EX trim level, the EX+ specification adds side and curtain airbags, rear combination LED lights with signature graphic, 4.2-inch TFT LCD Supervision cluster, artificial leather seats with contrast red stitching, folding electric side mirrors, electrochromatic rear-view mirror, cruise control, automatic climate control and drive mode select.

Excellent value for money

Kia believes that it is important to balance price positioning and perceived affordability with an array of features and benefits that ensure an exceptional value proposition. As they such have positioned their Sonet with a turbocharged engine as one of the most complete options available on the market today.

Model range and pricing

All Kia Sonet models are sold with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and a four-year/60 000km service plan. The complete Sonet range is now priced as follows

Sonet 1.5 LX Manual R296 995

Sonet 1.5 LX CVT R317 995

Sonet 1.5 EX Manual R316 995

Sonet 1.5 EX CVT R337 995

Sonet 1.0 T-GDI EX 7DCT R359 995

Sonet 1.0 T-GDI EX+ 7DCT R389 995