Kia Motors Nigeria has debuted the All-New Sonet and Seltos, two sub-compact in the family of Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).
While Sonet is an entry level SUV, the Seltos is meant for the upper echelon. Both were unveiled at a media event last week.
The urban and athletic Sonet is set to revolutionize the sub-compact SUV segment. Designed to be bold and unforgettable, the Sonet boasts of key features that place it in a league of its own within the compact SUV segment.
It comes with multiple powertrain options and impressive features reflected in a modern exterior, making the Sonet the latest addition to Kia’s award-winning SUV family.
With a dynamic stance in a confident and compact body, the Sonet includes a fresh interpretation of Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille, ‘heartbeat’ LED DRLs (daytime running lights), and a stylish front skid plate beneath.
Recalled that Kia first unveiled the Sonet concept in Delhi, India, during the Auto Expo 2020. This has become a reality within a year, providing the bespoke experience to customers.
The all-new Sonet incorporates Kia’s DNA of emotive styling along with a premium appeal, which creates a strong presence on road.
Boasting multiple segment-first features that offer the ultimate driving experience for customers, the Sonet provides comfort, convenience, and safety. Fitted with the largest and the best in class 10.25-inch (26.03 cm) HD, the Sonet also comes with other smart features such as multi-drive & traction modes, and grip control for automatic models.
Designed around the driver with a well laid-out, intuitive infotainment and cluster interface, the Sonet was built taking into consideration the end user’s experience, harbouring functional qualities in every inch of its ergonomic space.
“Kia has manufactured a vision inspired by our young, ingenious customers who crave simplicity and seamlessness in their lives. The Sonet delivers on features that are simply not found in models belonging to the same compact SUV category. Packed with first-in-class, purposeful features and technologies. Our Nigeria customers will find in the Sonet a smart companion to navigate the needs of life.” Said Mr. Jacky Hathiramani, Managing Director/CEO, Kia Nigeria.
This SUV has generated growing demand in the industry and particularly in the market across the market. Kia as we all know is a vibrant, young and energetic brand, associated with innovation. We try to set pace when it comes to bringing new innovation.
Marketing Manager, Kia Nigeria, Olawale Jimoh said, “That is why we have centered our focus on providing a robust model offering that captures the essence of the demand and the aspiration of the people in the SUV segment.
“The Sonet is an entry level vehicle. So while you are graduating from the Sonet to an SUV, Sonet is your go-to car. The Seltos is a kind of Upper Echelon in the same segment but it speaks to more of the upper side of the taste of the people.
“The Sonet is a combination of two words, social and network. So the vehicle is stylish and it is also connected. It gives you this connection, the synergy to drive the car in a pleasurable way.”
Under the hood, the Sonet comes with multiple powertrain options which can be customised to suit the requirements of the driver. An efficiently powered gasoline engine –the Sonet also offers its 1.5-liter MPI engine with the six-speed automatic transmission.
To match the needs of a wide array of customer preferences, the Sonet will be available in a dual trim concept that includes a sporty GT-Line trim. Enhancing the Sonet’s athletic and energetic appeal, the GT-Line models offer sportiness both inside and out. Customers who are looking for a sharp, dynamic road presence have the choice to opt for this trim.
“Built through synthesising customer insight, Kia has formulated the Sonet, a compact SUV design built to world-leading standards, pioneering segment-leading features, and design that naturally nestles itself into the increasingly demanding urban lives of individuals,” Jimoh added.
Seltos
The new Kia Seltos on the other hand brings sophistication, assertiveness and cutting-edge technology and safety features to the global compact SUV segment.
Seltos is characterized by distinctive design details, lending the compact SUV an air of understated sportiness. It combines forward-looking technical features, class-leading space and a suite of world-class safety features, and is powered by a choice of highly-efficient Smartstream petrol and diesel engines.
MD/CEO, Kia Nigeria, Mr. Jacky Hathiramani said, “The Seltos is an important car for Kia as it will play a central role in the expansion of our footprint, and especially in a priority market like Nigeria.”
The Seltos provides outstanding value for money – thanks to a range of technology features that maximize connectivity and safety, a roomy interior that seats five people in comfort, and high levels of space and versatility
Exterior design
The Seltos stands apart from its rivals thanks to its sophisticated, sporty design and the space and capabilities of a traditional SUV – all in a compact package.
The Seltos offers distinctive exterior design details, such as its long hood, a strong, character line on the front bumper, and sharp lines pressed into the bodywork. It also sports a wide ‘tiger nose grille’, making the car instantly recognizable as a Kia, but with a difference. Its robust shoulder line and glasshouse shape, which tapers towards the rear of the car, lends the compact SUV an air of understated sportiness. The rear bumper with a metallic muffler effect accentuates this dynamic appearance.
The Kia Seltos sits on a choice of 16-, 17- or 18-inch premium crystal cut alloy wheels, which complement the dimensions of the car, lending it a powerful stance. The wheels are shod with high-grip 205/60 R16, 215/55 R17 or 235/45 R18 tyres.
Interior design
The interior of the Seltos is designed with high-quality, futuristic materials. Aimed at youthful, tech-savvy buyers, the cabin is characterized by broad, sweeping shapes and highly technical details. Equipped with a range of technologies to maximize convenience, connectivity and ease of use, the bold design of the cabin incorporates a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The ergonomics of the cabin allow the driver to sit comfortably with a commanding view, helping to focus on driving and naturally reduce fatigue. Within the lounge-like and spacious interior, the Seltos also houses an available 8.0-inch Head-Up Display system which unobtrusively projects relevant driving information on to a small glass panel behind the steering wheel – such as turn-by-turn navigation directions and vehicle speed information.
Performance
It has a range of highly efficient Smartstream petrol and diesel engines. The Seltos comes equipped with a range of newly developed third-generation powertrains for high efficiency and powerful performance.
The vehicle is available as a 1.6-liter T-GDI turbocharged gasoline engine producing 177 PS, a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine producing 149 PS and a 1.6-liter diesel engine producing 136 PS. For the Nigerian market, the Seltos will be offered with automatic transmission options to suit customers’ needs and driving style – a six-speed automatic transmission (6AT) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) .
