Kia South Africa launched the Sonet LS this week, its latest and most importantly, cheapest, addition to the Sonet range. “The discontinuation of the Rio hatchback,” says CEO Paul Turnbull, “left many Kia customers with a great desire for a… spiritual successor priced under R300,000.” He wasn’t lying. The Sonet just falls short of the R300,000 by R5 – something Kia hopes to increase its presence in this corner of the crossover SUV market.
The new and affordable Sonet LS
“The new Sonet range has found significant favour amongst customers who are upgrading into the small SUV segment or who are downscaling from bigger cars,” adds Turnbull. All models share a very similar look, but the Sonet LS looks almost identical to the LX, the only difference being the 15in steel rims and plastic covers.
Its 2.5m-long wheelbase and short rear overhang reportedly make it one of the “roomiest” cabins in the crossover SUV market. Its 385l boot capacity is also listed as one of the largest. Inside, the Sonet LS mirrors its more expensive siblings, arriving with an 8incolour infotainment system and faux leather seats.
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The suspension system combines a MacPherson strut at the front and a torsion beam axle at the rear for a smoother ride. It’s powered by a 1.5l MPI engine that can switch between a five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT), supposedly offering a smoother ride than a regular automatic.
The 1.5l four-cylinder petrol engine produces 85kW of power at 6,300r/min and 144Nm torque at 4,500r/min to the front axle, ensuring responsive performance in various environments. The LS also features what Kia calls ‘big car’ safety systems like ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), ISOFIX child seat anchors, and dual front airbags.
Kia Sonet pricing:
- Kia Sonet 1.5 LS Manual: R300,000
- Kia Sonet 1.5 LS CVT: R325,000
