Here’s What You’ll Get In Each Kia Sonet Variant

Even before Kia unveiled the production-spec Sonet, it had already won us with its extensive powertrain options and loaded feature list. While there’s still some time before its expected launch next month, its brochure has been leaked, revealing important information like the variants, specs and engine options. We already know that the Sonet will be offered in the Tech Line and GT Line trims, but the brochure now reveals six variants spread out over the two trims: HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX, HTX+ and GTX+. Here’s what each variant offers:

HTE

Starting with the most barebones variant in the Sonet lineup, the HTE variant will be offered with a 83PS/115Nm 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol and a 100PS/240Nm 1.5-litre diesel engine. A 5-speed manual for the former and a 6-speed manual for the latter are the transmission options on offer. It covers the basics with features like 15-inch steel wheels with covers, halogen headlamps, fabric seat upholstery, manual AC, tilt steering, rear AC vents, 3.5-inch mono color MID, front and rear USB charging port, front door power windows and electronically adjustable ORVMs. Safety kit consists of dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors.

Being the base variant, it does miss out on a lot of premium bits like an entertainment system, automatic climate control, connected car tech, LED headlamps with LED DRLs, LED tail lamps, automatic climate control, bigger wheels as well as wireless phone charging.

HTK

GT Line images used for representational purposes

Next up is the HTK variant which retains the petrol and diesel engine options from the HTE variant. It also gets additional bits aside from the ones already present on the variant below it. Being the mid-spec variant in the Tech Line lineup, it lacks bits such as alloy wheels, a touchscreen infotainment system, a Bose audio system, automatic climate control, wireless mobile charging, a rear view camera and more safety features. That said, here’s what the HTK variant gets over the HTE variant:

•  16-inch steel wheels

• Follow-me-home headlamps

• Semi-leatherette seats with white stitching

• Height adjustable driver’s seat

• Rear door power windows

• Keyless entry

• Sunglass holder

• 2 DIN Audio system with 4 speakers, Bluetooth and UVO Lite

• Steering-mounted audio controls

HTK+ 

The HTK+ variant is where the differences between the variants below start to widen even more. This is the only variant in the Sonet lineup that has all three engine options and five transmission combinations to play with. Interestingly, the 1.5-litre diesel engine with the 6-speed automatic transmission delivers more grunt at 115PS and 250Nm than the 6-speed manual counterpart. There are still some bells and whistles missing like LED headlamps with LED DRLs, LED tail lamps, a bigger touchscreen infotainment system, alloy wheels, electric sunroof, rear defogger, and smart key with push button stop-start. Here’s what it gets over the variant below it:

• Projector fog lamps 

• Auto headlamps

• LED ORVM turn signal 

• Leather wrapped gear knob (AT and DCT variants only)  

• Automatic climate control

• Power folding ORVMs

• Driver side one-touch auto up/down power windows

• 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

• Rear view camera with guidelines (can be activated while moving forward)

• Wireless phone projection (only with 8-inch touchscreen)

• 2 tweeters

• ESC, hill start assist, brake assist, traction control and drives modes ( DCT variant only)

• Rear defogger

• Rear parcel tray

• Front and rear faux skid plate

• Roof rails

• Shark fin antenna

• Chrome on radiator grille

HTX 

The second highest variant in the Sonet Tech Line retains most bits from the HTK+ and adds additional kit on top. But the safety equipment isn’t carried over. It is offered with the 120PS/172Nm 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 100PS/240Nm 1.5-litre diesel engine. The former is paired to a 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual) gearbox, whereas the latter gets a 6-speed manual gearbox. It does lack some premium bits such as a bigger touchscreen infotainment system with UVO connected car tech, alloy wheels, sound mood lighting, a Bose premium sound system, an air purifier, and wireless phone charging. Here’s the equipment additions over the HTK+ variant:

• LED headlights with LED DRLs

• LED tail lamps

• Electric sunroof

• Smart key with push button stop-start

• Black and beige interior upholstery

• Remote engine start via smart key

• Cruise control

• Chrome on outside door handles 

• Silver garnish on doors

• ISOFIX mounting points

• Rear seat armrest

• Adjustable rear headrests

HTX+ 

We finally head to the most feature loaded variant in the Sonet Tech Line trim. It gets everything from the HTX variant and plenty of additional kit on offer. Engine and transmission options remain the same. But despite being as loaded as it is, it doesn’t get additional safety features, wireless phone charging and some of the red design themes present in the GT Line. Here’s what the top-spec HTX+ variant gets over the variant below it:

• 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels with silver wheel caps

• LED sound mood lighting

• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with UVO connected car tech

• Smart watch connectivity

• AI voice recognition

• Rear wiper and washer

• Bose premium 7-speaker sound system

• Ventilated front seats

• Air purifier

• Two-tone roof (optional)

• 4.2-inch color MID

• Leatherette seats

• Leatherette wrapped door trims 

• Tyre pressure monitoring system

GTX+

Heading into the GT Line trim, unlike the Seltos, the Sonet will only be offered in a sole GTX+ variant. It is paired with the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and 1.5-litre diesel mill with four transmission combinations. It not only gets slight design tweaks compared to the HT Line variants, but also gets additional kit over the top-spec HTX+ variant. Here’s what is packs over the HTX+:

• Red accents on front grille, bumper, side skirts, alloy wheel hub and brake calipers

• Revised air dam

• Blacked-out skid plate

• All-black interior upholstery with insignia on front seats and steering wheel 

• Six airbags

• Wireless phone charging

• Sporty alloy pedals

• Front parking sensors

• ESC, hill start assist, brake assist, traction control and drive modes

Expect the Sonet to retail from Rs 7 lakh (ex-showroom), putting it against the Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra XUV300 and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.