Spec-checking the Kia Sonet's 4 variations

Kia Philippines recently unleashed its latest offering, the Sonet.

With an appealing price tag and features buyers in the segment will appreciate, the South Korean carmaker’s newest entry into the tightly-contested crossover segment could make a good first car for young professionals as well as for growing Filipino families.

For those eyeing the Kia Sonet (which by the way will replace the Stonic), here is a quick rundown of its four available variants.

LX M/T

The base variant of the Kia Sonet is the LX equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, which we will get to in a few.

First off, the front fascia of the LX M/T is adorned by halogen multi-reflector headlamps with standard daytime running lights (DRL). Present is the latest iteration of the brand’s tiger-nose grille with modern-looking latticework in matte black finish.

The side profile of the Kia Sonet LX M/T gets electric-adjustable side mirrors and fender-mounted turn signals, body-colored door handles, black beltline molding, and 16-inch wheels with “styled wheel covers.”

Its rear end has standard rear combination lamps and a standard high-mount stop lamp.

Inside, the Kia Sonet LX M/T offers would-be owners a decent 4.2-inch thin-film transistor display in its instrument cluster, accompanied by an eight-inch touchscreen display for the audio unit.

Drivers will be greeted by a three-spoke polyurethane steering wheel, seats covered in cloth upholstery, and a manual air conditioning unit.

Under its hood is the four-cylinder 1.5-liter gasoline engine mated to the aforementioned six-speed gearbox. The said setup generates some 113 horsepower with 144 Newton-meters of torque.

Stopping power comes from disc brakes — front and back — while its suspension system consists of MacPherson struts at the front and a coupled torsion beam axle at the rear.

In terms of safety, the base variant of the Kia Sonet gets standard features like parking sensors, an anti-lock brake system, airbags, and seat belts.

Overall, the Kia Sonet LX M/T answers the basic needs of many car buyers without costing them an arm and a leg.

LX A/T

The Kia Sonet LX A/T variant shares striking similarities with its manual transmission-equipped brother.

Notable differences between the two include the use of Kia’s intelligent variable transmission, side mirror-integrated turn signals, the addition of cruise control, as well as its 16-inch alloy wheels.

EX A/T

Moving onto higher models in the variant hierarchy, customers wanting to get the Kia Sonet EX A/T could expect more features aimed at making one’s driving — and riding — experience more memorable.

For this grade, the Kia Sonet EX A/T wears the carmaker’s Star Map signature LED multi-reflector headlamps paired with the Star Map signature LED DRL. It also gets a pair of LED fog lamps to help drivers better see the road when visibility is poor.

The side mirrors also get power-folding functions, saving soon-to-be owners the headache when parking in tight spots. The roof now sport rails, which probably just adds to the crossover’s aesthetic appeal rather than offering actual function.

Its hind side is now also endowed with a discreet spoiler with an integrated LED stop lamp and LED taillamps.

Still present inside is the three-spoke polyurethane steering wheel, instrument panel, and eight-inch audio unit. However, the Kia Sonet EX A/T gets a smart entry system with a push-start button, a remote engine start feature, and a compartment lamp, which will always come in handy.

Those sitting at the back will now get folding seats instead of the bench-type chairs fitted on the lower trims.

SX A/T

The range-topping variant of course gets all the bells and whistles the Ayala-led Kia Philippines can cram into its crossover.

Outside, the Kia Sonet SX A/T dons a sunroof and chrome beltline moldings. Inside, it now offers a three-spoke leather-wrapped multi-functional steering wheel, perforated leather seat upholstery, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment system, and a single-zone automatic A/C.

Arguably one of the most important benefits car buyers can get from choosing this variant is the wealth of advanced driver assist features the Kia Sonet SX A/T comes with. Dubbed as the Kia Drivewise, it adds technologies like lane keeping assist, lane following assist, forward collision avoidance assist, downhill brake control, high beam assist, and driver attention warning.

Further, it adds electronic stability control and hill start assist control.

Pricing

According to Kia Philippines, the Sonet lineup is offered with the below introductory pricing:

• LX M/T: P758,000
• LX A/T: P868,000
• EX A/T: P978,000
• SX A/T: P1.138 million

Photos from Juan Paulo Papa and Jirehl Kent Flores

Also read:

Kia launches all-new Sonet for PH

PH-spec Kia Sonet available for public test drives tomorrow