Kia India has introduced the Model Year 2026 (MY26) update of the Kia Sonet, expanding its automatic transmission line-up with new variants across both diesel and turbo petrol powertrains. The move aims to make automatic driving more accessible in India’s highly competitive compact SUV segment.
The MY26 Sonet now offers Diesel Automatic and Turbo Petrol 7DCT variants priced below ₹10 lakh, with starting prices of ₹9,77,900 for the diesel automatic and ₹9,89,900 for the turbo petrol 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (7DCT) (ex-showroom). With this update, the Sonet becomes one of the first SUVs in its segment to offer both 6-speed automatic (6AT) and 7DCT transmission options under the ₹10 lakh mark.
The company said the expansion comes in response to a growing consumer shift toward automatic vehicles, particularly in urban areas where increasing traffic congestion is encouraging buyers to opt for more convenient and comfortable driving solutions.
Under the updated line-up, the 1.5-litre diesel engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission is now available in the HTE(O), HTK(O), HTK+, and HTK+(O) variants. Meanwhile, the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 7DCT gearbox is offered in the HTK(O) and HTK+(O) trims.
According to the automaker, this broader availability of automatic options will allow more customers to experience the convenience of automatic driving while retaining the efficiency and performance associated with diesel and turbo petrol engines.
“At Kia, we have been closely listening to evolving customer needs, particularly the growing preference for automatic driving in everyday conditions,” said Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President, Sales and Marketing at Kia India. He added that the MY26 update aims to make automatic mobility more accessible while strengthening the Sonet’s position in the compact SUV category.
Since its launch in 2020, the Sonet has emerged as one of Kia India’s most successful models, recently surpassing five lakh cumulative sales in the Indian market. The SUV continues to play a key role in the company’s growth strategy.
The Sonet is offered with multiple trims and five powertrain combinations, combining bold styling with a feature-rich cabin and advanced technologies. The SUV includes 15 standard safety features, 10 Level-1 ADAS functions, and more than 70 connected car features.
Further enhancing its appeal, Kia has also introduced Magma Red, a new exterior colour option designed to highlight the Sonet’s sporty and youthful design.
With the MY26 update, Kia aims to strengthen the Sonet’s competitiveness by combining affordable automatic technology, diverse powertrain options and modern features, catering to the evolving demands of India’s compact SUV buyers.
