Kia India introduces the 2026 Kia Sonet with expanded automatic transmission options. The diesel automatic variant starts at Rs 9.77 lakh ex showroom, offering improved convenience for urban driving.

New Delhi, India: Kia India has introduced the updated 2026 model year Kia Sonet, expanding the availability of automatic transmissions across its compact SUV lineup. With the latest update, the Sonet is now offered with both diesel automatic and turbo-petrol dual clutch automatic options, making automatic variants more accessible to buyers in the segment. The starting price for these automatic versions remains below Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom).

One of the key highlights of the update is the 1.5 litre diesel engine paired with a 6 speed torque converter automatic transmission. This variant starts at Rs 9.77 lakh (ex-showroom). Meanwhile, the 1.0 litre turbo petrol engine combined with a 7 speed dual clutch transmission is priced from Rs 9.89 lakh (ex-showroom).

Kia has also widened the availability of diesel automatic variants across multiple trims. Customers can now choose this configuration in HTE(O), HTK(O), HTK+, and HTK+(O) trims. In addition, the turbo petrol DCT option is offered in HTK(O) and HTK+(O) variants. This broader lineup enables customers to select automatic models across different price points.

The company stated that the expansion of automatic options reflects changing urban driving conditions, where traffic congestion and daily commuting are encouraging buyers to shift from manual gearboxes to more convenient automatic transmissions.

The diesel automatic combination is particularly attractive for customers who prefer strong low end torque and better highway efficiency without the need for frequent gear shifting.

Since its launch in the Indian market in 2020, the Kia Sonet has remained one of the brand’s most successful products. Recently, the compact SUV achieved a major milestone by crossing 5 lakh units in cumulative sales in India, further strengthening its position in the competitive compact SUV segment.