KIA has stormed back into Sri Lanka’s automotive limelight with the unveiling of the all-new Sonet compact SUV, adding zest to the country’s excitement at the resumption of automobile imports.

This is the first of 12 new SUV models to be introduced by Kia to the Sri Lankan market, the company said.

Rated among the best-in-class smart urban SUVs on the road today, the Kia Sonet sets new benchmarks with more than 30 first-in-class features, and is targeted towards a generation that is tech-savvy, aspirational and highly connected socially, the top automaker said.

Developed ground-up to set new benchmarks in design, technology, dynamics and safety, the Kia Sonet is the brand’s latest entry into the burgeoning compact SUV segment.

Addressing media at an exclusive preview of the first Sonet SUVs to arrive in the country, Kia Motors (Lanka) Chairman Mr Mahen Thambiah said: “It has been a long wait for Sri Lankans to see exciting new cars on their roads, and the Sonet will truly be a breath of fresh air, with its aggressive and modern design language, fun-to-drive dynamics, and Kia’s latest high-tech features.”

“Kia’s award-winning design strengths have come into play to make the Sonet every inch a Kia SUV, exemplifying the brand’s confident, young-at-heart attitude, a sporty, rebellious spirit, and a wild-by-design approach,” he added. “The outcome is a striking SUV with irresistible road presence that will turn heads wherever the Sonet goes.”

The Kia Sonet SUVs are powered by a 1.0 T-GDi (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) engine with either a seven-speed-DCT automatic transmission or Kia’s revolutionary new six-speed Smartstream Semi-Auto transmission (iMT). The latter is a technological breakthrough from Kia, offering fatigue-free driving thanks to the absence of a clutch pedal, yet the same driver control as a conventional manual transmission. The Sonet’s dynamics and suspension set-up have been tuned by Kia engineers to match its exuberant design and Kia’s sporty and youthful brand image, offering high driving pleasure for enthusiasts.

In design terms externally, the all-new Sonet incorporates Kia’s DNA of emotive styling along with a premium and youthful appeal to create a strong road presence. With its confident, compact body, the Sonet showcases a range of styling attributes to make it stand apart on roads around the world. This includes a fresh interpretation of Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille flanked by ‘heart beat’ LED DRLs (daytime running lights) shaped like the electric pulse of a heart, with a stylish front skid plate beneath. The ‘heart beat’ LED tail lamps also adorn the rear, and the Sonet is fitted with 16-inch crystal-cut alloy wheels.

Inside, the Sonet is designed around the driver, with a well laid-out, easy-to-use connected infotainment and cluster interface, and high-quality materials all around. Despite compact exterior dimensions, the interior of the Sonet offers ample, ergonomic space for all passengers, for complete comfort, convenience, safety and optimum driving pleasure to customers. Among the interior features are the largest and best-in-class 10.25-inch (26.03 cm) HD touchscreen with navigation and live traffic; BOSE Premium seven-speaker audio with sub-woofer; ventilated driver and front-passenger seats; LED Sound Mood Lighting; remote engine start for automatic and manual transmission via UVO Connect and Smart

Key; Over-the-air (OTA) map updates; multi-drive and traction modes and grip control for automatic models and wireless smartphone charger with cooling function.

In terms of safety, Kia has ensured that every drive in the Sonet is as relaxing and safe as possible thanks to an array of safety measures, which include six airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and brake assist.

Additionally, the Sonet features front and rear parking sensors, projector fog lamps, Highline tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), auto headlamps and ISOFIX child-seat anchoring points.

Kia Motors (Lanka) has represented the Kia brand in Sri Lanka since 1996 and has been instrumental in making it one of the best-regarded automobile brands in the country. Kia is a maker of world-class quality vehicles for the young-at-heart. Founded in 1944, Kia sold 3,089,300 units in 2024 in over 190 countries. Kia is spearheading the transition to electric vehicles and pursuing mobility services to help tackle urban challenges around the world. The company’s brand slogan – “Movement that inspires” – represents Kia’s global commitment to surprise the world with exciting, inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.