Kia To Copy Hyundai To Solve Its Biggest Problem? » MotorOctane

The compact SUV segment has become one of the most competitive segments at the moment. The Kia Sonet used to be one of the leaders in this segment. However, since then, SUVs like the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, and Maruti Brezza have surpassed it in sales. The outgoing Kia has one major niggle that is holding it back compared to its competitors. And now, Kia is expected to copy Hyundai’s recipe to fix this issue and get back in the game. 
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Hyundai’s Recipe For Success

As we all know, the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue share platforms. However, Hyundai have moved on from the old K2 platform to the new K1 platform, while the Sonet is yet to make the switch. Hyundai claims that this platform is safer and improves the cabin space. Kia could copy Hyundai’s move and give the Sonet this new platform. So can this solve all of Kia’s problems? 

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More Spacious Than Ever? 

The outgoing Sonet has never been a particularly spacious car. Compared to its rivals, the cabin feels cramped. A big part of this issue may be down to its K2 platform. Even the older Hyundai Venue faced the same problem, but the issue has been fixed with the updated version. Hyundai solved this problem by adopting the K1 platform from the Kia Syros. 

Before the update, the Venue’s dimensions were nearly identical to those of the Sonet. But the adoption of the new platform has had a huge impact on the dimensions. The Venue is now 38 mm taller, 30 mm wider, and has a 20 mm longer wheelbase. This is a significant improvement, as the car’s length remains unaffected. This is one of the biggest improvements that the K1 platform has over K2. 

If the next-gen Sonet were based on the K1 platform, its dimensions would change drastically. The Kia Sonet is a good-looking car packed with features, and if Kia improves its one niggle – the cabin space, it would bring the compact SUV back into contention for the most value-for-money SUV. 

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New Kia Sonet Safety – What to Expect? 

The outgoing Kia Sonet has never been tested for NCAP, but the first-gen Hyundai Venue (K2 platform) was. It received a 4-star rating in adult occupancy and a 3-star rating in child occupancy in ANCAP tests. The Sonet’s test results wouldn’t be much better than this either. With the next-gen Sonet, Kia will aim to maximise its safety. 

Kia can improve these ratings by adopting the new Venue’s K1 platform. This platform is more rigid thanks to the addition of high-strength steel in many crucial areas. It seems logical that the next-gen Sonet will also adopt this platform. If Kia offers the Sonet with a radar-based Level 2 ADAS suite, it would further improve the safety ratings. 

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New Platform, Better Safety? 

If Sonet makes the switch to the safer K1 platform, it would share it with two other SUVs – the Kia Syros and the new Hyundai Venue. We can make a judgment on the new platform’s safety by looking at Syros’s BNCAP results. 

The Kia Syros received 5-stars in both child and adult occupancy tests in the BNCAP tests, showing that the platform is durable and safe. When tested, we expect the new Hyundai Venue to put on a similar display. Expectedly, the next-gen Kia Sonet will also be based on this platform, making it the safest version yet. 

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Expected Features & Specifications

The outgoing Sonet has a decent equipment list, but Kia will be improving it to keep it competitive with the likes of the Tata Nexon. With the updates, we expect features such as a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, ventilated front seats, rear sunblinds, a 360-degree parking camera, a Level 2 ADAS suite, and much more.

The powertrain options will be carried over with this update, and 3 engines will be on offer: a 1.5-litre diesel (114 bhp & 250 Nm), a 1.2-litre NA petrol (82 bhp & 115 Nm), and a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol (118 bhp & 172 Nm). As for the gearbox options, we expect it to be offered with a 5-speed manual (on low trims), a 6-speed manual (on higher trims), a 6-speed AT and a 7-speed DCT. 

We expect the next-gen Sonet to be priced between Rs 9 lakh and Rs 18 lakh (on-road, Mumbai). While Kia has yet to officially announce the launch date for the updated Sonet, we could see it on Indian roads by late 2026 or early 2027.

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