2021 Kia Sonet launched in Indonesia - a more hip alternative to the Perodua D55L?

Just three months after the 2020 Kia Sonet made its global debut in India, Kia's smallest SUV has been launched in Indonesia earlier today. Assembled in India, five variants are available: starting with the lower-range Standard and Active, the mid-range Smart, higher-range Dynamic and range-topping Premier.

Exterior 

It's a plucky little car that frankly looks very good! Up front, a pair of LED headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRLs) flank Kia's signature 'Tiger Nose' grille.

The distinctive styling cues continue round the back, with trapezoidal integrated exhaust tips, and LED tail lamps. These LED head and tail lights are not available on the lowest Standard variant.

Rolling the Kia Sonet around are 16-inch wheels wrapped in 215/60R16 tyres. 

Six colours are available at launch: Aurora Black Pearl, Beige Gold, Glacier White Pearl, Intense Red, Intelligency Blue and Steel Silver.

Powertrain

Much like how we get the gongs for being the world's first market to get the i-MMD two-motor full hybrid engine in the 2020 Honda City, Kia Indonesia has the honours of premiering the new 1.5-litre Gamma II Smartstream engine in the Sonet.

The engine is a naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder mill making 115 PS and 144 Nm of torque. The Indonesian-spec Sonet gets a 6-speed manual, but if you're like Arif who thinks it's better to drive without a third pedal, a CVT option with 8 virtual gears is also available.

Interior features

The trump card of the Sonet may very well lie in the list of creature comforts it has. For starters, every variant gets a digital instrument cluster, with the higher-range variants getting an additional 4.2-inch LCD colour display.

Depending on variant, buyers will get ambient lighting and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system - with the highest Premium variant getting a Bose 6-speaker setup.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support are present on all variants except the Standard.

Meanwhile, higher-end variants get other nifty features such as remote start, a wireless phone charger and cruise control.

Safety - no ADAS here

Only the range-topper gets the most here - 6 airbags are reserved only for the Premier variant. All other variants get dual airbags. 

Still, all variants will get anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution (ABS, EBD). Electronic stability control (ESC), hill assist control (HSC) and emergency stop signal (ESS) are only available in the Smart variant and above.

Can I have it in Malaysia?

There's no news whether Malaysia will be receiving the Sonet, especially with Kia's uncertain future in Malaysia.

At least we can look forward to the Kia Seltos - which is in a quagmire somewhere, seeing that it hasn't got its price yet even as two months has passed since bookings first opened.

If however you're waiting for another compact SUV, the Perodua D55L might be here sooner than expected.

Whether or not you think this is more hip than the Perodua - let your thoughts be known in our WhatsApp group and Forum!