The Kia Sonet First Anniversary Edition celebrates the success of the model in India (where it’s built) with its design inspired by the extinct Auroch. Sadly this special edition will not reach South Africa.

We reviewed the Kia Sonet compact SUV earlier this year and came away impressed by what it had to offer. In fact, we think it’s one of the bestcompact SUVs you can buy for under R300k.

In India, where the Sonet is produced, Kia has introduced the Sonet First Anniversary Edition which celebrates the first year the model has been on sale in that market as well as the success it has experienced.

The design is inspired by the Eurasian Auroch cattle which can be seen in the lower bumper resembling the horns of the Auroch. Kia’s familiar tiger-nose grille gains hot-stamped tangerine accents which is also seen on the lower bumper section. Similarly-styled side skirts are also fitted.

The Sonet First Anniversary Edition won’t come to SA but our market will receive a turbocharged 1.0L engine in early 2022.

Kia South Africa has confirmed that the Sonet First Anniversary Edition is an India-only affair with the brand’s 1.0-litre turbopetrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine doing service under the bonnet. However, there is of course the possibility that a ‘special edition’ version of the Sonet could arrive locally at some stage in the future, but there are no current plans to do so, according to a local Kia spokesperson.

At the South African launch of the Kia Sonet earlier in 2021, the Korean firm confirmed that the Sonet range will be bolstered with the arrival of a turbocharged 1.0-litre engine with outputs of 88 kW and 172 Nm. It’s now been confirmed that the turbocharged Sonet will arrive locally in February 2022 in conjunction with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and will be offered in a number of trim grades.

We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Buy a new or used Kia Sonet on Cars.co.za

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