Kia Sonet Gets A 7-Seater Version In Indonesia

• Looks largely identical to its 5-seater counterpart with no visual changes.

• The third row seats seem to have taken up most of the available boot space in the SUV.

• The Sonet 7-seater gets a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that wasn’t present in the Indonesia-spec 5-seater.

• It’s propelled by the same 114PS/144Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine as the standard model there.

• Unlikely to make it to the Indian market.

As if a 5-seater Kia Sonet wasn’t enough, the carmaker has decided to give the Sonet a third row in Indonesian markets, with the Sonet 7. It’s essentially a seven-seater version of the Sonet but Kia has also added a few premiums for the SUV there.

Before we look at the design changes, do note that the Indonesia-spec 5-seater Sonet is longer than the Indian iteration by 4,120mm. The Sonet here falls in the sub-4 metre segment with a length of 3,995mm. Aside from that, the two models are identical in width (1,790mm), height (1,642mm), and wheelbase (2,500mm). 

At a glance, you’d be hard-pressed to find any differences in the Sonet 7 as it's visually identical to its 5-seater counterpart. Inside, the third-row seats are a bit small and have taken up a lot of boot space.

Third row aside, the Sonet 7 gets additional features such as roof-mounted AC vents, and a larger 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in place of the smaller 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system present the standard Sonet there. This touchscreen setup is already present in the India-spec 5-seater Sonet. It continues to be equipped with a wireless phone charger, a Bose 7-speaker sound system, ventilated front seats. That said, the 7-seater version doesn’t get the electric sunroof present in the standard model.

Under the hood, the Sonet 7 retains the sole 1.5-litre petrol engine from the Indonesia-spec standard Sonet. The motor delivers 115PS of grunt and 144Nm of torque, paired with either a 6-speed manual or IVT (CVT) transmission. 

Back home, the standard Sonet retails from Rs 6.79 lakh to Rs 13.19 lakh (ex-showroom India). While these 7-seater SUVs are popular in Indonesia, the Sonet 7 is unlikely to arrive in India. Meanwhile, the carmaker is working on a 7-seater that’s been spied testing in the country. It could take on the Mahindra Marazzo.