KIA SONET

The 2026 Kia Sonet facelift (India) is a compact sub‑4m SUV built on Kia’s global small‑SUV architecture, offered with three engines (1.2 NA petrol, 1.0 T‑GDi turbo‑petrol, 1.5 CRDi diesel) and five transmissions (5MT, iMT, 7‑speed DCT, 6MT, 6AT) across 26 variants spanning the HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK(O), HTK+, HTK+(O), HTX, GTX+ and X‑Line trims. The facelift brings a revised “Signature Tiger Nose” grille, new L‑shaped LED headlamps/DRLs, redesigned bumpers, vertical LED tail‑lamps with a connected light bar, new X‑Line matte/black styling, plus tech like Level 1 ADAS (10 functions), electric sunroof, 10.25‑inch touchscreen, Bose premium audio, 15 standard safety features and 12 exterior colour options including 2 dual‑tones.

Trim & Transmission Lineup

Engine & outputs (India‑spec 2026 Sonet facelift)

• 1.2L Smartstream G1.2 MPi NA petrol: 61 kW (83 PS) @ ~6,000 rpm, 115 Nm @ ~4,200 rpm — paired only with 5‑speed MT
• 1.0L Smartstream G1.0 T‑GDi turbo‑petrol: 88 kW (118–120 PS) @ 6,000 rpm, 172 Nm between ~1,500–4,000 rpm — paired with 6‑speed iMT (clutchless manual) or 7‑speed DCT
• 1.5L Smartstream D1.5 CRDi diesel: 85 kW (114–116 PS) @ 4,000 rpm, 250 Nm @ 1,500–2,750 rpm — paired with 6‑speed MT or 6‑speed AT (torque converter)

All variants are front‑wheel drive (FWD) with electric power steering and 5‑seat capacity in a subcompact SUV body.

Variant lineup (26 variants)

Steering: all variants use electric power steering (right‑hand drive, India‑spec).

The 2026 facelift newly extends diesel‑AT availability down through HTE(O) and HTK(O), and turbo‑DCT availability down through HTK(O) and HTK Plus(O) — powertrain combinations that were previously reserved for higher trims on the pre‑facelift Sonet.

Dimensions

All 2026 Sonet facelift variants share the same basic body shell and hard‑points.

(Heights, ground clearance and kerb weights are typical Sonet figures and can vary slightly by variant and tyre size.)

Available Colours

Kia offers the 2026 Sonet facelift in multiple monotone colours plus 2 dual‑tone combinations, with X‑Line‑exclusive paints.

Colour palette (India‑spec)

Monotone shades (core range)

• Clear White (solid)
• Glacier White Pearl (pearl)
• Pearl White / White Pearl naming used interchangeably in some sources
• Pewter Olive (metallic)
• Gravity Grey / Gravity Gray (metallic)
• Sparkling Silver (metallic)
• Imperial Blue (metallic)
• Aurora Black Pearl (pearl)
• Intense Red / Magma Red – new red for MY2026
• Matte Graphite / Xclusive Matte Graphite – X‑Line signature matte finish

Dual‑tone shades

• Glacier White Pearl with Aurora Black Pearl roof
• Intense/Magma Red with Aurora Black Pearl roof

Colour availability by trim

From Autocar’s detailed colour/trim mapping and Kia’s palette

Where sources differ slightly in naming (Intense Red vs Magma Red, Pearl White vs Glacier White Pearl), the underlying colours are functionally the same MY2026 palette additions/updates.

Key Features by Trim

Feature allocation is summarised below using Kia’s brochure and trim comparison; equipment can vary slightly by engine/gearbox.

HTE / HTE(O)

Safety & ADAS

• 15 standard safety features across the range, including: dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, high‑speed alert, seatbelt reminders, ISOFIX mounts.
• Rear parking camera generally starts from higher trims; HTE/HTE(O) rely on sensors.
• Electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management (VSM), hill‑start assist control (HAC) typically from HTK(O)/HTK+ upward; some markets show them standard with certain powertrains.

Infotainment & Connectivity

• 2‑DIN or basic audio unit with Bluetooth/USB, 4 speakers (exact spec varies by sub‑variant).
• Steering‑mounted audio controls usually start from HTK upward.

Comfort & Interior

• Fabric upholstery, manual AC with heater.
• Front power windows (rear power windows from HTK).
• Tilt‑adjustable steering column (basic).
• Fixed front seats without adjustable headrests in base trim.

Exterior

• Halogen headlamps with integrated L‑shaped DRL styling (facelift design) on all trims.
• Body‑coloured bumpers, black outside door handles and ORVMs (manual adjust).
• Steel wheels with wheel caps.

Performance / Convenience

• 15‑inch steel wheels with high‑profile tyres.
• Standard power steering and basic MID.

HTK / HTK(O)

Safety & ADAS

• Adds rear parking camera with guidelines (commonly on HTK(O)).
• ESC, VSM, HAC typically appear by HTK(O)/HTK+ level depending on engine.

Infotainment & Connectivity

• Touchscreen audio (smaller than 10.25‑inch unit) with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay.
• 6‑speaker audio on some HTK/HTK(O) variants.
• Steering‑mounted audio and telephony controls.

Comfort & Interior

• Power windows on all doors.
• Remote central locking, keyless entry on higher HTK(O).
• Height‑adjustable driver seat often starts from HTK(O)/HTK+.

Exterior

• Wheel covers with styled design.
• Body‑coloured ORVMs with integrated turn indicators on HTK(O).
• Roof rails on HTK(O) and above (depending on engine).

HTK+ / HTK+(O)

Safety & ADAS

• ESC, VSM, HAC more widely standard, especially with turbo‑petrol and diesel.
• Rear defogger and wiper/washer on most HTK+ sub‑variants.

Infotainment & Connectivity

• Larger touchscreen infotainment (typically 8‑inch) with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay (varies by MY calibration).
• Connected car services on some HTK+(O) turbo/diesel variants.
• Rear view camera with dynamic guidelines.

Comfort & Interior

• Automatic climate control usually from HTK+ upwards.
• Rear AC vents.
• Driver seat height adjustment.
• Better seat upholstery pattern compared with lower trims.

Exterior

• 16‑inch styled steel or alloy wheels (R16 40.56 cm).
• LED DRL signature with the facelift L‑shape theme.
• Projector fog lamps on select variants.

HTX

Safety & ADAS

• Level 1 ADAS suite with 10 functions in facelifted Sonet (availability centered on HTX/GTX+/X‑Line and powertrain‑dependent). Typical functions
• Forward collision warning & assist (car/pedestrian)
• Lane keep assist, lane departure warning
• Lane following assist
• Leading vehicle departure alert
• High beam assist
• Driver attention warning, etc.
• 6 airbags on mid/high trims (side & curtain in addition to dual front) in updated Sonet safety pack.

Infotainment & Connectivity

• 10.25‑inch touchscreen infotainment system with Kia Connect connected‑car features.
• Digital/part‑digital instrument cluster.
• BOSE premium sound system (generally from HTX upwards on certain engines; fully standard on GTX+/X‑Line).
• Built‑in navigation, voice commands.
• Wireless phone charging on some sub‑variants.

Comfort & Interior

• Automatic climate control with rear vents.
• Smart key with push‑button start/stop.
• Electric sunroof introduced from HTX upwards.
• Cruise control (widely available on turbo/diesel HTX and above).
• Leatherette seat upholstery in dual‑tone Black & Beige for HT‑Line (petrol iMT/diesel 6MT).

Exterior

• LED headlamps with L‑shaped LED DRLs and LED fog lamps.
• Revised Signature Tiger Nose grille with chrome/black highlights.
• 16‑inch alloy wheels.
• LED tail‑lamps with vertical elements and connecting light bar (facelift signature).
• Roof rails, shark‑fin antenna.

GTX+ (GT Line)

Safety & ADAS

• Full Level 1 ADAS pack (10 functions) standard on DCT/diesel AT top trims.
• 6 airbags.
• ESC, VSM, HAC, TPMS, and additional active safety aids.
• Front parking sensors (top trims).

Infotainment & Connectivity

• 10.25‑inch HD touchscreen with full Kia Connect suite.
• BOSE 7‑speaker premium sound system with subwoofer.
• Digital instrument cluster with themed layouts.
• Multiple USB‑C ports front and rear.

Comfort & Interior

• GT Line‑specific interiors with all‑black theme and premium brown/white inserts depending on engine (e.g., turbo‑DCT & diesel AT with all‑black + brown inserts).
• Ventilated front seats (on top trims).
• Leather‑wrapped steering wheel & gear knob.
• Auto‑dimming IRVM.
• Wireless charging, rear sunshade in some markets.

Exterior

• Sporty GT Line body kit: more aggressive bumpers, red accents on grille, skid plates, and brake calipers.
• 16‑inch or 17‑inch machined alloy wheels (depending on MY2026 wheel package).
• Dual‑tone colour options: Intense/Magma Red + Black roof, Glacier White Pearl + Black roof.
• LED fog lamps and full LED rear cluster.

Performance / Convenience

• 1.0 T‑GDi 7DCT and 1.5 diesel 6AT powertrains.
• Drive modes & traction modes for AT variants (Normal/Eco/Sport; Sand/Mud/Snow style depending on config).

X‑Line

The X‑Line is the topmost design and equipment expression, based on GTX+ but with unique styling.

Safety & ADAS

• Same advanced pack as GTX+: 6 airbags, ADAS Level 1 (10 functions), ESC, VSM, HAC, TPMS, front & rear parking sensors, rear camera with dynamic guidelines.

Infotainment & Connectivity

• 10.25‑inch touchscreen with navigation and Kia Connect.
• BOSE premium audio.
• Full digital cluster, connected‑car telematics, over‑the‑air map updates.

Comfort & Interior

• X‑Line‑exclusive interior theme: Sage Green leatherette seats with all‑black interiors and Sage Green inserts.
• Ventilated front seats (varies by engine/gearbox).
• Electric sunroof.
• Smart key with remote engine start (AT).
• Ambient lighting.

Exterior

• X‑Line‑exclusive colours: Xclusive Matte Graphite and Aurora Black Pearl only.
• Matte graphite/black styling for grille, skid plates, alloys and ORVM caps.
• Dark chrome grille with revised Signature Tiger Nose design.
• 16‑inch/17‑inch X‑Line signature alloys in dark finish.
• Full LED lighting package.

Performance / Convenience

• Offered with 1.0 T‑GDi 7DCT and 1.5 diesel 6AT.
• Drive/traction modes on AT powertrains.

Powertrain, Fuel Economy & Driving

(Where Kia does not explicitly state exact figures by variant, values are typical for this generation Sonet and consistent with published specs.)

• 1.2 NA petrol (5MT)
• Focus: city efficiency and lower running cost.
• Typical ARAI fuel economy: mid‑teens km/l range (varies by variant and wheels).

• 1.0 T‑GDi turbo‑petrol (6iMT / 7DCT)
• Strong mid‑range with 172 Nm torque, suited to highway use.
• iMT blends manual‑like control with clutchless convenience.
• 7DCT offers quick shifts and drive modes.

• 1.5 CRDi VGT diesel (6MT / 6AT / 6iMT)
• 116 PS and 250 Nm provide strong torque and high efficiency.
• Diesel AT popular for mixed city‑highway usage.

All variants are front‑wheel drive; Sonet is tuned as a city‑friendly SUV with decent ground clearance, but it is not a dedicated off‑roader.

Towing, Payload & Off‑Road Capability

Kia India does not advertise formal braked towing capacity or payload figures for the Sonet; as a compact monocoque SUV, it is primarily intended for daily use rather than heavy towing. Typical considerations

• Light towing only, where permitted, and within legal/insurance limits.
• Payload sufficient for 5 occupants + luggage equivalent to a typical sub‑4m SUV (roughly 400–450 kg combined, depending on variant and GVW; not officially stated).
• Off‑road capability
• High ground clearance (~205 mm) helps with speed breakers and light trails.
• AT variants with drive/traction modes provide better control on loose surfaces but Sonet remains a soft‑roader, not equipped with low‑range or AWD.

This document covers the full trim ladder (HTE to X‑Line), all three engines, and major feature/colour differences for the 2026 Kia Sonet facelift sold in India, without any pricing information.