The Kia Sonet 7 has just been introduced in the Indonesian market which comes with a 7-seat configuration. The Compact SUV features two extra seats that fold down when not in use allowing the extra boot space. Kia has also made minor changes in the interiors to make sure that the third-row passengers are comfortable, but the engine powering the Kia Sonet 7 remains the same.
The Kia Sonet sold in the Indonesian market is larger in dimensions compared to the Kia Sonet sold in India. The Kia Sonet even in its 5-seater version measures 4120mm in length in Indonesia. The India-spec Kia Sonet measures 3995mm. The shorter length allows the Sonet in India to save on taxes under the sub-4-metre vehicle rules making it more affordable for the market. The longer Sonet sold in Indonesia has allowed boffins at Kia to engineer space for the extra row.
The brand has added two extra forward-facing seats behind the second-row seats. The third-row seats take up most of the boot space in the Sonet 7 but are foldable when customers want to use the boot for luggage. The second-row seat now comes with a slide and recline system as well as a one-touch full tumble fold for easy ingress and egress to the third row. Kia has also added roof air-conditioning vents with separate controls that direct air to the third-row passengers. The rear air-conditioning vents from the 5 seater model, mounted behind the central tunnel also remain in operation.
Powering the Kia Sonet 7 in Indonesia is a 1.5-litre dual CVVT dual-injection petrol motor that makes 115 PS of power and 144 Nm of torque. The engine comes with a 6-speed manual transmission and an 8-step IVT (Intelligent [Continuously] Variable Transmission). The India-spec Sonet 5-seater features a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol motor, a 1.5-litre CRDi diesel engine and a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual transmission, a 6-speed torque converter type automatic gearbox, a 6-speed clutch-pedal less iMT (intelligent manual transmission) and a 7-speed DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) automatic gearbox.
The Kia Sonet 7 comes with features such as LED daytime running lights, automatic LED headlamps fog lights, LED taillamps, a multifunctional flat-bottomed steering wheel, semi-digital instrument cluster, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto integration, 10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system and an option, automatic climate control, drive and traction modes, cruise control, USB charging, 12 Volt DC power outlets, advanced high strength steel body structure, airbags, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Hold Assist, Brake Assist and Emergency Stop Signal.
Kia produces the India-spec Sonet (5-seater), the Indonesia-spec Sonet (5-seater) and the Sonet 7 (7-seater) at the Anantapur production line in Andhra Pradesh. The brand has not yet announced any plans to launch the Sonet 7 in the Indian market but looking at the growing trend towards 7-seater SUV Kia might consider bringing the Sonet 7 to India.