Kia has expanded its compact family car line-up in South Africa with the introduction of the diminutive Sonet, which shares its underpinnings with the popular Hyundai Venue. Think of it as the baby brother to the Seltos. What's it like to drive, what's on offer and how much can you expect to pay? Let's find out!

With small crossovers making up an increasingly large chunk of new vehicle sales in Mzansi, many brands are clamouring for "aslice of thepie". Having launched the Seltos in the local market in early 2020 (and Kia's quite happy with the number of salesthat model has garnered thus far, by the way), the Korean brandhas introducedthe (also Indian-made)Sonetbelow it.The entry point to Kia's SUV line-up is mechanically similar to its sister brand Hyundai's Venueand, with aggressive pricing and a slew of derivatives in its line-up, the Sonet has clearly got the ageing Ford EcoSport in itscrosshairs.

In the space of just a few months, the so-called budget crossover segment has ballooned;apart from the Ford EcoSport, Kia mentioned the Suzuki Vitara Brezza/Toyota Urban Cruiser twins, as well as the Honda WR-V as potential rivals to the Sonet. The segment will be growing even further with the arrival of the Nissan Magnite (and Renault Kiger, later this year),the formerof which we'll be driving soon.

What's on offer?

At the moment, the Kia Sonet is powered exclusively by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine, whichdevelops peak outputs of 85 kW and 144 Nm. Kia claims derivatives equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 11.3 sec, while the CVT-equipped automatic versions arefractionally slower at 11.8 sec.

The launch line-up comprises a pair of trim levels:LX and EX.

LX versions (which are instantly identifiable by their 15-inch steel wheels)come equipped with, inter alia, automatically-activated headlights, remote central locking, electric windows, a height-adjustable driver's seat, electrically adjustable side mirrors, an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple Carplay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming, a 6-speaker audio setup and reverse-view camera, as well as leather-cloth combination seat trim. In terms of safety kit, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control, hill assist control anddual front airbags are fitted as standard.

The higher EX trim adds rear park distance control, leather-trimmedsteering wheel and gear knob, silver skid plates, 16-inch alloys, roof rails, side indicator lamps, aswell as front fog lights.

Towards the end of the year, the Sonet range will be bolstered with the introduction of a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that's mated with adual-clutch automatic transmission. Interestingly, Kia South Africa brought along a few Indian-spec homologation units of the forced-induction 3-cylinder Sonet to the launch so that we could have a quick look at them.

While the final specis yet to be confirmed, we noted theIndian unitshad a full house of features, includingheated seats, a Bose audiosystem, a wireless charging pad and more. Whether the local version willfeature all of thosebells and whistles will depend on the position at which Kia hopesto price it. The car we looked at also sportedGT Line badges, but we'll have to see what the SA version will look like.

What's it like to drive?

At first glance, you can't help but appreciate the modern,crowd-pleasing appearance of the Sonet– itlooks cute from so many angles. When you step inside the small crossover, you're greeted with Kia's familiar, solidinterior quality. There have been marked improvements in the fit and finish of the Korean brand's products over the years, and despite the newcomer being priced on the more affordableside of the spectrum, there are indeed some premium cabin finishes in the Sonet. Granted, there are a few cheap-feeling plastics too, but at this price point, that's completely understandableand fair enough.

The cabin space is surprisingly generous, with good head- and shoulder-room fore and aft. When I conductedthe informal sit-behind-yourself test, I found rear legroom to be ratheraverage, but, then again, I am of slightly taller-than-average height. The load bay, meanwhile, is claimed to be one of the biggest in the segment (392 litres); but we'll put that claim to the test when we get to review the Sonet fully.

We had opportunities to drive both manualand automatic derivatives of the Sonet EX. The 6-speed manual shifts quite positively, but you may find yourself forgetting to change upinto 6th (top) gear, because the newcomer's sound insulation mutes the high-revving motor's machinations admirably. Whilesome models in this segment feature 5-speed transmissions, the provision of anadditional gear should benefit fuel consumption. Although claimed consumption figures weren't included in Kia's press material,after 2 days of driving, the trip computer in the car we drove displayed 5.9 L/100 km!

As for the CVT, well, thesetypes of "slushboxes" have come a long way since theearly examples, which tended to droneincessantly and feelsloppy– the Kia's transmission is certainly one of the better examples. Not only does it quietly and seamlessly hustle the Sonet about, but itfacilitates good economy:afterour return trip to Cape Town, the automatic EX indicated a commendable 5.6 L/100 km.

Thenew petrol engine impresses too. Not only is it refined and thrifty, but it provides sufficient power and overtaking ability. If you're in a manual version of the Sonet, you'll have to workitsgearbox to keep the engine in its sweet spot, but that's okay because the shift action is easy. The torque figure is so-socompared with those of turbocharged engines, but the motor doesn't have much more than 1 tonne to propel, so you'll find there's enough oomph. The steering setup is light and effortless, which is always welcome. Ride quality is a touch on the firm side, but we'd like to spend more time to investigatethis.

The launch route also gave us a chance to live "that SUV life" and do some driving on a gravel route. Recent heavy rains have eroded parts of the Karwyderskraal road in the Hemel-and-Aarde Valley and the ruts and holes that have appeared along the route, as a result, provided a substantial test for both the car's suspension and active safety systems. There's nothing more intimidating than executing a steep descent on a loose muddy surface while there's atruck approaching and you're trying to keep the vehicle stable in its lane! The vehicle's ABS and stability control worked a treat, keeping the Sonet in a straight linewithout interrupting forward progress. The fact that the Kia offers stability control is a big plus because this safety system, in conjunction withanti-lock brakes, can prevent many accidents.

Summary

As itsfirst attempt at a budget small crossover,Kia has positioned its Sonetexceptionally well, price-wise. While we'd like more time behind the 'wheel ofthe Korean model on roads that we drive on every day (as opposed to the spectacular open roadsof the launch route), first impressions count for a lot; the Sonet is an exceptional offering. It's a well-pricedand -specifiedcompact family car that won't break the bank, plus it offersa bundle of personality in one cute-looking yet functional package. And don't forget theexcellent Kia warranty and service plan, which should give consumers peace of mind.

We reckon the Sonet will sell even better than the more expensive Seltos, and while some buyers may feel tempted to wait for the flagship variant, thenaturally-aspirated derivatives represent greatvalue. The small crossover/compact family car is well and truly the flavour of the month, but as a consequence,theSonet may well cannibalise sales of the conventional models like the Rio compact hatchback.

How much does the Kia Sonet cost in South Africa?

The Sonet is sold with a 5-year/unlimited km warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.

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