New Kia Sonet has been caught testing in India and a 2027 launch is looking increasingly credible. Codenamed QY2E, the new model moves off the current K2 platform onto the newer K1 architecture — the same base the Kia Syros uses. Even through heavy camouflage, spy shots show a split headlight setup, Sorento-style DRLs, a redesigned front bumper, slimmer taillights and what looks like a curved dual-screen dashboard inside. The current-gen SUV starts at Rs 7.33 lakh (ex-showroom). The second-gen Kia Sonet will almost certainly launch higher — here's what we know so far.
What the Spy Shots Actually Show
Starting at the front: the second-gen Kia Sonet gets a split LED headlamp housing with boomerang-shaped DRLs in a separate upper cluster — the same design language Kia uses on the larger
Sorento. The grille looks smaller than the current model's but keeps the honeycomb pattern. The bumper appears more angular and aggressive in profile.
On the side, the test mule is running an alloy wheel design that originally appeared on the first-generation Kia Seltos between 2019 and 2022. Those were 17-inch wheels — a size up from what the current Sonet offers — which would be a welcome upgrade if it makes production. Pull-type door handles, disc brakes at both ends, flush roof rails as well as pronounced wheel arch cladding are all visible despite the wrapping. The taillights look noticeably slimmer than the current car's and appear to mirror the DRL design from the front — whether a full-width connecting light bar sits between them isn't clear from available images.
Inside, a curved dual 12.3-inch display is partially visible through the windscreen — the same twin-screen layout already seen in the Syros. That's a step up from the current Sonet's 10.25-inch touchscreen and a meaningful one for buyers who put the infotainment setup high on their checklist.
Platform Change and What It Means in Practice
Moving from K2 to K1 isn't just a marketing talking point. The K1 platform allows for a stronger crash structure, broader powertrain compatibility, and — most relevantly for Sonet buyers — more usable rear-seat space.
A 5-star Bharat NCAP rating is expected — the current car already holds one and the newer platform makes maintaining that rating more straightforward. Powertrain options haven't surfaced from the spy shots yet but the Syros's 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel are the most likely candidates to carry over.
On pricing — the current-generation Sonet tops out at Rs 13.71 lakh (ex-showroom). Given the platform upgrade, the larger screens and the feature additions visible even at this early stage, expect the second-generation car to open above that on the top trims. Kia hasn't confirmed a timeline publicly, but the testing activity in India right now points squarely at a 2027 debut.
