Next-Gen Kia Sonet Spotted Testing In India For The First Time: Strong Hybrid Coming

Kia Sonet is one of the popular sub-4-metre SUVs in the market. Last year, we saw its sibling, the Hyundai Venue, receive a generation update, and we all knew that a similar update was coming for the Kia Sonet too. Kia has now started working on the next-generation Sonet, and the test mule images of the upcoming Sonet have now surfaced online, probably for the first time.

The images have been shared by Automatta on their Instagram page. In this post, we see a heavily camouflaged SUV being tested on Indian roads. The temporary registration of the vehicle confirms that it is being tested in India. Initially, the vehicle’s identity is not clear.

However, as you start looking at the details, you realise that the SUV is actually the next-generation Kia Sonet. It looks like the next-gen Sonet is going to take inspiration from the recently launched Kia Seltos. We see a large front grille with honeycomb inserts, and it is possible that Kia might end up with a design where the headlamps act as an extension of the grille itself.

The bumper of the SUV looks different from the current version. It is just a test mule, and multiple iterations of the same are expected to be seen in the coming months. It is expected to come with sleek-looking LED DRLs at the front too.

The roof of the SUV is visible, and it looks like Kia might offer a panoramic sunroof with the SUV. The wheels on the Sonet test mule look similar to what we have seen on the Kia Carens Clavis. We also get a glimpse of the ORVMs, and there is a possibility that Kia might give the Sonet flush-fitting door handles like those seen on the Seltos.

We do not see the rear of the SUV in these pictures, and it is expected to come with an all-new design featuring LED lights and connected LED light-bar elements. The cabin of the Sonet is also being updated as part of the changes. We expect to see a new colour theme along with a larger touchscreen infotainment system and more features like Level 2 ADAS, leatherette upholstery, seat ventilation, a recline option for the rear seats, a fully digital instrument cluster, and so on. The centre console and dashboard design will also be different from the current version.

The upcoming next-generation Kia Sonet will be based on the K1 platform, which is also seen on the Kia Syros. What this means is that the upcoming Sonet is expected to have a sturdier build quality and possibly achieve a 5-star safety rating. This new platform would also allow Kia to increase the wheelbase and improve rear-seat comfort and space too.

The engine options on the upcoming Kia Sonet are going to remain the same as the current model. There will be a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, a 1.2-litre NA petrol engine, and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with multiple transmission options.

Like other Kia models, the SUV will be offered in Tech Line, GT Line and X-Line variants, and depending on the variant, we expect to see changes to the bumpers and interior theme. Kia is also working on hybrid technology for the Sonet; however, it is not expected to launch with the next-generation model. It will be a strong-hybrid setup that will also be seen in many upcoming Hyundai and Kia models soon. This is an engine that specifically developed in India for India. The Kia Sonet is expected to launch in 2027, while the hybrid version is likely to arrive by 2028–29.