New Kia Sonet Spied – Top 5 Changes Expected On Kia’s Most Affordable SUV | V3Cars

Like its cousin, the Hyundai Venue 2026, the new Sonet is expected to receive major updates underneath the skin as well as inside the cabin. Here are the top 5 changes expected on the 2027 Kia Sonet.

1. New K1 Platform Could Improve Safety & Rear Legroom

One of the biggest changes expected on the 2027 Sonet is the shift to Hyundai-Kia’s newer K1 platform, which already underpins the Kia Syros and the latest Hyundai Venue.

The current Sonnet uses the older K2 platform, which has often been criticised for limited rear seat space compared to other B2-segment SUVs such as the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Tata Nexon. The move to the K1 platform could help Kia improve rear knee room and overall practicality.

The newer platform could also help the next-gen Sonet score a full 5-star safety rating from the Bharat NCAP just like the second-generation Hyundai Venue, which scored a rating of 31.15 out of 32 in Adult Occupant Protection and 44.46 out of 49 in Child Occupant Protection.

Also Read: Hyundai Venue Scores 5-Star Safety Rating In BNCAP Crash Tests

Whether Kia offer the Sonet with ADAS remains to be seen as the manufacturer recently deleted this advanced safety feature from 2026 Syros SUV.

Also Read: 2026 Kia Syros Gets New Variants; ADAS No Longer On Offer

2. New Seltos-Inspired Front-End Design

Spy shots suggest the 2027 Sonet will borrow several styling cues from the latest Kia Seltos. The grille appears wider and more upright, visually connecting the headlights much like the larger C1-segment SUV.

The Sonet is also expected to feature sharper LED lighting signatures, redesigned bumpers and more sculpted body panels. Even under camouflage, the test mule appears more muscular and premium than the current model.

3. Panoramic Sunroof Likely

The current Sonet offers only a single-pane sunroof, but the next-generation model is likely to gain a panoramic unit similar to the Syros.

With panoramic sunroofs becoming a major selling point in the compact SUV segment, this upgrade feels almost inevitable. Rivals such as the Mahindra XUV 3XO, Tata Nexon and Kia Syros already offer this feature, and buyers increasingly view it as an aspirational premium feature.

Also Read: Top 10 Most Affordable Cars And SUVs With Panoramic Sunroof (2026)

4. More Premium Cabin With Triple-Screen Layout

The interior is expected to receive a comprehensive redesign inspired by the newer Kia and Hyundai models. The next-gen Sonet could feature dual 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment system and digital driver’s display, along with a separate 5-inch touchscreen panel for climate controls.

This setup would mirror the layout seen in the Syros and newer global Kia models. Expect a cleaner dashboard design, improved materials, revised ambient lighting and upgraded connected car technology as well.

5. New Alloy Wheel Designs Expected

The test mule also revealed newly designed alloy wheels, which appear larger and more in line with Kia’s latest offerings such as the Seltos, Carens Clavis and Syros. Depending on the variant, the SUV could offer larger dual-tone alloy wheels to further strengthen its road presence.

Powertrain Options Likely To Continue Unchanged

Mechanically, the next-generation Sonet is expected to continue with the same engine options as the current model. These include:

• 1.2L normal petrol
• 1.0L turbo petrol
• 1.5L turbo diesel

Manual and automatic gearbox options are also expected to remain largely unchanged.

However, Kia could introduce a new strong-hybrid version later in the lifecycle. Reports suggest Hyundai-Kia are developing a hybrid setup based on the 1.2L petrol engine, which may eventually find its way into the Sonet as stricter fuel efficiency and emissions norms arrive.

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Also Read: Best Mileage Diesel-Manual Cars In 2026 – Nexon, Altroz, Venue And More

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