Kia Sonet MY26: If you’re struggling with heavy city traffic and looking for an SUV that’s easy to drive and budget-friendly, Kia India has the biggest surprise of 2026. The company has introduced the Kia Sonet 2026 (MY26) in a new avatar in India.
Now, you don’t have to spend ₹15-16 lakh for high-tech features like a diesel automatic and a 7-speed DCT turbo petrol. For the first time, Kia has introduced these premium gearbox options at an ex-showroom price of less than ₹10 lakh. This move is not only good news for middle-class buyers but has also created a stir in the compact SUV segment.
A Smart Solution to Increasing Traffic
These days, bumper-to-bumper traffic is commonplace on metropolitan roads. In such a situation, repeatedly pressing the clutch and changing gears is not only tiring but also causes leg pain. Recognizing this problem, Kia has made revolutionary changes to its Sonet MY26 lineup.
Until now, diesel automatic or turbo petrol DCT gearboxes were limited to the higher and more expensive variants, but now Kia has included them in base and mid-level variants like HTE(O) and HTK(O). This means you no longer need to spend a lot of your savings to experience luxury driving.
Diesel and Turbo Petrol
The Kia Sonet has become the first SUV in its segment to offer both a 6-speed torque converter (6AT) and a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (7DCT) option under ₹10 lakh. The HTE(O) variant with its 1.5-liter diesel engine is priced at just ₹977,900 (ex-showroom). The HTK(O) variant with the same engine is priced at ₹10,72,900, the HTK+ variant at ₹11,08,900, and the top-end HTK+(O) variant at ₹11,56,900.
For speed enthusiasts, the 1.0-liter turbo petrol engine is now available within budget. The HTK(O) variant with a 7-speed DCT gearbox will now be available for just ₹9,89,900, while the HTK+(O) variant is priced at ₹10,83,900. By introducing these affordable variants, Kia has posed a significant challenge to competitors like the Tata Nexon and Hyundai Venue.
Kia India’s Vision
Kia India issued an official statement on the launch of the new Sonet 2026, emphasizing customer delight. According to the company, they are keenly aware of the changing pulse of Indian consumers. Today, people are prioritizing automatic cars for their daily commutes. To meet this demand, the company has introduced new affordable diesel, automatic, and turbo-petrol options. Kia’s goal is to enable more people to enjoy high-tech and relaxed driving without budget constraints, ensuring the Kia Sonet maintains its dominance in the compact SUV market.
