There's no denying the fact that ground clearance sells in the Philippines. These days, even the smallest of cars get a few more inches of ride height. Just take a look at the Toyota Raize and other small crossovers from China.
The thing is, we don’t see some of the major players in this segment. Among the Japanese, Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi are missing in action. The South Koreans don’t have an answer for the growing list of tiny crossovers, either. Sure, Kia has the Stonic, but if we're talking about high-roof, higher riding models, it doesn't quite fit the bill.
Enter the Kia Sonet.
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We’ve covered the Sonet before and we called it a potential Raize rival. It was introduced in 2020 and is available in India and parts of Southeast Asia. However, that model never landed here even if it’s also made in Vietnam. Now, there’s a new Kia Sonet, and it gets major styling tweaks outside and a few updates inside. There are also a few tech updates to keep it bang up to date.
Perhaps most noticeable is the new front end design in the updated Kia Sonet. It’s more aligned with the brand's current design language with a more dynamic set of headlights and a more prominent grille. The entire bumper has also been changed for the 2024 model year.
While the side profile remains largely unchanged, the rear gets an overhaul. It now sports a reshaped tailgate and a new set of connected taillights, similar to those in the facelifted Carnival and Picante. Capping off the 2024 exterior update is a set of new wheel designs for the three variants, namely the Tech Line, GT Line, and X-Line.
Inside, it’s largely a carryover from the pre-facelift model. However, the center stack has been given a new look with a set of rearranged buttons. Also new for 2024 is a fully digital instrument panel. Other additions include advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), 360-degree view cameras, and power seats for the driver’s side on select variants.
The Sonet will be offered with three engine choices. It starts with a 1.2-liter, four-cylinder with 82hp and 115Nm of torque. That’s followed by a 1.5-liter turbodiesel that makes 115hp and 250Nm of torque. A 1.0-liter, three-cylinder turbo is also available, pushing out 120hp and 172Nm of torque. Transmission options include a five-speed manual, six-speed manual, six-speed automated manual, six-speed automatic, and seven-speed dual-clutch.
