The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled

ValarMorghulis · 19th October 2019, 00:01

Mod Note: Our Kia Sonet Report has been taken live at this link. Please continue the discussion over on the new thread. Thanks!

Fresh from the success of Kia Seltos, I think Kia is planning a plethora of offerings for the Indian market.

An article in Carwale explains more. Link here.

Quote:

...the Kia compact SUV will share its underpinnings with the Hyundai Venue. However, it will have a different top hat and interiors, along with the signature Kia design philosophy...

The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled-kiasmallsuvindiaspied3.jpg

The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled-kiasmallsuvindiaspied6.jpg

GTO · 21st October 2019, 07:52

When Hyundai entered India, they were the most aggressive of all the new MNC entrants. They came independently (no local partners), set up the Indian factory in record time and quickly became the no. 2 in India. I am seeing a lot of that aggressive streak in Kia too. Make no mistake, they have big ambitions. If we look at the Seltos, anyone will agree that Kia has put its best foot forward.

Since its based on the Venue, I'd expect this compact SUV from Kia to be launched in 2020 itself.

ampere · 21st October 2019, 08:06

I guess they would have already planned their assembly lines to configure and support for such product road map. If that is a true assertion, then its all about rapidly enabling their plan and nothing else.

I would be curios to know more on how they have laid out their factory set-up to support such large scale production.

sansvk · 21st October 2019, 09:08

Impressed by the outlook of Kia. Unlike Ford or Jeep, they seem to be quick on their feet ready to launch new models.

giri1.8 · 21st October 2019, 10:45

Venue is a great car no doubt, but has few negatives like expensive top-end trim, lack of diesel automatic, hopefully Kia goes crazy with engine gearbox combo just like their Seltos.

1.5L Diesel with 6 speed AT would be an amazing compact SUV that we deserve.

romeomidhun · 21st October 2019, 10:57

If they want to maintain the fat profits on Seltos, it is better they don't launch a sub-4m SUV. Hyundai may be thinking on the same lines as Creta sales dwindled after Venue launch.

sri_tesla · 22nd October 2019, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Since its based on the Venue, I'd expect this compact SUV from Kia to be launched in 2020 itself.

As per the latest article on ET, they will be launching this compact SUV in July, 2020. It will be the 3rd model from Kia while second model Carnival will be launched in Jan, 2020. In fact Kia India MD said earlier that they will launch one model every 6 months after the Seltos.

Also, the strategy seems to be not entering the entry level volume segments for now and the SUV line up will give them the opportunity for the same.

https://auto.economictimes.indiatime...aster/71697965

VJ05 · 24th October 2019, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by romeomidhun

If they want to maintain the fat profits on Seltos, it is better they don't launch a sub-4m SUV. Hyundai may be thinking on the same lines as Creta sales dwindled after Venue launch.

I think in the next 2-3 years, they will have products in most of the SUV segments and most probably premium hatchback as well. With the kind of success they have got with Seltos, they should build on that unlike Jeep which didn't had any plans after Compass as they seem to be basking on its initial success till date.

SpideyBoy · 24th October 2019, 16:57

Spot on with the segment choice. SUV, Compact SUV has been ruling the charts off late and that's where Kia seems to be putting their money in. While both Kia and MG being different in their approaches, they seem to have studied our market pretty well. I would say the former did it a tad bit better than the latter on a few points.

- Starting with a huge production plant capable of producing 3 lakh cars anually.

- Having a wide variety of options even in a single car.

- Delivering BSVI ready vehicles ahead of everyone.

Kia seems to be hitting the right spots. I'm very sure with such aggressive steps, Kia is going to play a key role in the charts and would soon be dethroning many other manufacturers down the lane.

Durango Dude · 24th October 2019, 17:17

Kia Seltos has taken a big chunk of the Creta sales and now is having Hyundai's best seller and savior: Venue in it's cross hairs: God save Hyundai.

Lakshit · 29th October 2019, 20:28

This video is shared by a vlogger (BornCreator) on YouTube. He seems to get confused this with face lifted Nexon

, but I am sure this is Kia QYI only.

https://youtu.be/dZapk_u_VHo

dksv · 29th October 2019, 23:43

Successful product launches rarely happen by chance. KIA seem to have done their homework thoroughly. Hyundai-KIA as a group could dominate launches of new products / new generation of products over the next 2-3 years.

KIA is definitely setting the bar higher in terms of quality and options availability. With all the feedback and valuable data they would have collected from the customers and dealers by now, their future launches will only get more inline with Indian customer expectations.

RavenAvi · 1st November 2019, 11:40

Pics credit Owaiz Siddique.

The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled-1w.jpg

The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled-2w.jpg

octane_100 · 1st November 2019, 11:54

Kia are quick on their feet! Looking at Seltos, safe to assume that this compact crossover may have a true top end, especially in AT! Suits me just fine.

RavenAvi · 2nd November 2019, 21:17

Caught testing by a Motor Octane reader.

21st October 2019, 07:52	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,534 Thanked: 300,737 Times View My Garage	re: The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled When Hyundai entered India, they were the most aggressive of all the new MNC entrants. They came independently (no local partners), set up the Indian factory in record time and quickly became the no. 2 in India. I am seeing a lot of that aggressive streak in Kia too. Make no mistake, they have big ambitions. If we look at the Seltos, anyone will agree that Kia has put its best foot forward. Since its based on the Venue, I'd expect this compact SUV from Kia to be launched in 2020 itself.
	(24) Thanks

21st October 2019, 08:06	#3
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,951 Thanked: 12,939 Times View My Garage	re: The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled I guess they would have already planned their assembly lines to configure and support for such product road map. If that is a true assertion, then its all about rapidly enabling their plan and nothing else. I would be curios to know more on how they have laid out their factory set-up to support such large scale production.
	(1) Thanks

21st October 2019, 09:08	#4
sansvk BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 582 Thanked: 281 Times	Impressed by the outlook of Kia. Unlike Ford or Jeep, they seem to be quick on their feet ready to launch new models.
	(2) Thanks

21st October 2019, 10:45	#5
giri1.8 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,762 Thanked: 4,719 Times	re: The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled Venue is a great car no doubt, but has few negatives like expensive top-end trim, lack of diesel automatic, hopefully Kia goes crazy with engine gearbox combo just like their Seltos. 1.5L Diesel with 6 speed AT would be an amazing compact SUV that we deserve.
	(3) Thanks

21st October 2019, 10:57	#6
romeomidhun BANNED Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 3,282 Thanked: 4,876 Times	re: The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled If they want to maintain the fat profits on Seltos, it is better they don't launch a sub-4m SUV. Hyundai may be thinking on the same lines as Creta sales dwindled after Venue launch.
	(4) Thanks

24th October 2019, 16:57	#9
SpideyBoy BHPian Join Date: May 2019 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 209 Thanked: 839 Times	re: The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled Spot on with the segment choice. SUV, Compact SUV has been ruling the charts off late and that's where Kia seems to be putting their money in. While both Kia and MG being different in their approaches, they seem to have studied our market pretty well. I would say the former did it a tad bit better than the latter on a few points. - Starting with a huge production plant capable of producing 3 lakh cars anually. - Having a wide variety of options even in a single car. - Delivering BSVI ready vehicles ahead of everyone. Kia seems to be hitting the right spots. I'm very sure with such aggressive steps, Kia is going to play a key role in the charts and would soon be dethroning many other manufacturers down the lane.
	() Thanks

24th October 2019, 17:17	#10
Durango Dude Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,948 Thanked: 5,120 Times View My Garage	re: The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled Kia Seltos has taken a big chunk of the Creta sales and now is having Hyundai's best seller and savior: Venue in it's cross hairs: God save Hyundai.
	() Thanks

29th October 2019, 23:43	#12
dksv BHPian Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Bangalore Posts: 143 Thanked: 528 Times	re: The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled Successful product launches rarely happen by chance. KIA seem to have done their homework thoroughly. Hyundai-KIA as a group could dominate launches of new products / new generation of products over the next 2-3 years. KIA is definitely setting the bar higher in terms of quality and options availability. With all the feedback and valuable data they would have collected from the customers and dealers by now, their future launches will only get more inline with Indian customer expectations.
	() Thanks

1st November 2019, 11:40	#13
RavenAvi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Flying Around Posts: 6,668 Thanked: 47,599 Times View My Garage	re: The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled Pics credit Owaiz Siddique.
	(12) Thanks

1st November 2019, 11:54	#14
octane_100 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: KA-09 Posts: 759 Thanked: 1,378 Times	re: The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled Kia are quick on their feet! Looking at Seltos, safe to assume that this compact crossover may have a true top end, especially in AT! Suits me just fine. Last edited by Chetan_Rao : 7th December 2019 at 13:42. Reason: Removed incompatible emoticons. Please use the ones provided in the forum's text editor to ensure readability across platforms.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2019, 21:17	#15
RavenAvi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Flying Around Posts: 6,668 Thanked: 47,599 Times View My Garage	re: The Kia Sonet Compact SUV, now unveiled Caught testing by a Motor Octane reader.
	(10) Thanks