ACMobility, the official distributor of Kia in the Philippines, unveiled last Thursday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay the Kia Sonet, the brand’s latest subcompact crossover offering.
“The Kia Sonet is a true game-changer in the small SUV category,” says Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, CEO of ACMobility, Ayala Corporation’s mobility solutions platform. “ACMobility is proud to work with Kia in providing discerning Filipino car buyers the vehicles they deserve. The arrival of the Kia Sonet shows ACMobility’s commitment to giving Filipinos more reasons to fall in love with the Kia brand again,” he adds.
The Sonet is powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine (115ps/144Nm) mated to either Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission or a 6-speed manual gearbox.
It’s now available in all Kia showrooms nationwide, with the base variant 1.5 LX MT starting at PHP 758,000; the 1.5 LX AT at PHP 868,000; the 1.5 EX AT at PHP 978,000; and the flagship 1.5 SX AT variant priced at PHP 1,138,000
“The Kia Sonet is poised to become a cornerstone of our product lineup, as we aim for it to account for a huge portion of Kia sales in the country. We are confident that its stylistic appeal, feature-rich packaging, and compelling pricing will position the Kia Sonet as a leading choice in the entry SUV market,” says Antonio “Toti” Zara III, Kia Philippines president and Head of Automotive Retail and Distribution at ACMobility.
“The introduction of the Kia Sonet marks a significant milestone for us. It broadens our product range and reinforces our commitment to delivering movement that inspires by combining style, innovation, and value. We are excited to offer this modern entry SUV, especially to the young millennials and Gen Zs who seek a balance of convenience, technology, and affordability,” says Brian Buendia, Kia Philippines Chief Operating Officer.
The latest rendition of Kia’s signature Tiger-nose grille gives the Sonet a distinctive appeal on the road. Its wide front end presents an assertive stance that should appeal to a wide range of buyers.
The side has clean, minimalist surfaces thankfully devoid of any extraneous lines or curves. The principal styling accent for the side profile are the snazzy-looking two-tone alloy wheels.
All variants feature 16-inch wheels, with the 1.5 LX MT fitted with steel wheels with covers and the higher variants sporting the aforementioned two-tone alloy wheels. The Sonet has a class-leading 205mm ground clearance.
The entry SUV’s design includes key elements such as the Star Map Signature LED multi-reflector headlamps and daytime running lights on the SX AT and EX AT. The other variants feature halogen multi-reflectors. The SX AT also boasts premium exterior features such as an electric sunroof, roof rails, rear spoiler, and new tailgate LED strip connecting the left and right rear LED taillights, underscoring its premium appeal.
Inside, the SX AT offers luxurious leather seats, while the other variants have premium cloth upholstery. The SX AT and EX AT feature driver and front passenger seatback pockets and 60:40 folding second-row seats.
The SX AT has a large 10.25-inch TFT LCD multi-function digital instrument cluster, while the LX MT, LX AT, and EX AT feature a 4.2-inch TFT LCD instrument panel.
The SX showcases an advanced 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. The LX and EX trims sport an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Every Sonet has six speakers, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, voice recognition, and multiple USB ports (including USB-C). The SX AT offers wireless charging, allowing for easy device charging on the go.
The SX AT and EX AT offer Remote Engine Start, Smart Entry, and a push start button for added ease. Each variant also includes a full-size spare tire.
The Sonet’s comprehensive suite of safety features will help ease worries. The 1.5 SX incorporates Kia Drive Wise advanced driving assistance safety measures such as Lane Following Assist (LFA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), Downhill Brake Control (DBC), and High Beam Assist (HBA), plus the standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).
All the variants possess driver and front passenger airbags, ABS, and an anti-theft engine immobilizer. Additionally, all variants have rear parking sensors and a rear-camera display.
The 1.5 LX MT, 1.5 LX AT, and 1.5 EX AT comes in Vivid Red, Snow White Pearl, and Imperial Blue, while the 1.5 SX AT is available in Vivid Red or Snow White Pearl, both with a black roof. The new Pewter Olive is exclusively available on the top-of-the-line 1.5 SX AT variant.
