Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala Unveils Kia’s 'Gamechanging' New Entry-Level SUV

Ayala Group’s ACMobility, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in the country, announced the arrival of the Kia Sonet, the brand’s latest SUV offering. It is considered the most important nameplate in their lineup, as it replaces the Stonic which aims to continue its quest to grab a sizeable share in the highly competitive sub-compact SUV segment. 

Kia’s new entry SUV nameplate adds to the brand’s SUV lineup with a fresh and modern styling and comprehensive best-in-class features, all in a sub-P1 million SUV that’s packed with a lot of safety and convenience features, a perky engine, great design and premium interior and modern connectivity. The Kia Sonet’s name is derived from the combination of the words “social” and “network.” This fusion establishes Kia’s entry SUV as a stylish and connected offering from the brand. 

ALSO READ

Kia Philippines Is in a Good Spot As It Braces for Leadership Change

Comfort and a Taste of the Luxe Life: A Drive with the Kia Carnival

The Kia Sonet’s target market are young millennials and Gen Z, with the base variant 1.5 LX MT priced at P758,000; the 1.5 LX AT at P868,000; the 1.5 EX AT at P978,000; and the top-of-the-line 1.5 SX AT variant priced at P1.138 million.

From left: CEO of ACMobility Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, Kia Philippines president and head of automotive retail and distribution at ACMobility Toti Zara and Kia Philippines COO Brian Buendia

Present to introduce the Kia Sonet was Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, CEO of ACMobility, Ayala Corporation’s mobility solutions platform. “The Kia Sonet is a true game-changer in the small SUV category,” he said. “ACMobility is proud to work with Kia in providing discerning Filipino car buyers the vehicles they deserve. The arrival of the Kia Sonet shows ACMobility’s commitment to giving Filipinos more reasons to fall in love with the Kia brand again.” 

According to Antonio “Toti” Zara III, Kia Philippines president and Head of Automotive Retail and Distribution at ACMobility, the sweet spot of the local passenger vehicle market is the P750,000 to P1 million price segment, which is about 25 percent of the entire market composed mostly of sedan and hatchback models due to its lower cost of production. 

"The Kia Sonet is poised to become a cornerstone of our product lineup, as we aim for it to account for a huge portion of Kia sales in the country,” Zara said. “We are confident that its stylistic appeal, feature-rich packaging, and compelling pricing will position the Kia Sonet as a leading choice in the entry SUV market.” He further issued a challenge to the other brands to offer a small SUV with similar features and specifications.

The Kia Sonet’s 1.5-liter Dual Port Fuel Injected gasoline engine is rated at a maximum power of 115 PS and 144 Nm of torque, mated either with the Kia Intelligent Variable Transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission. 

We test drove the Sonet last week and its 4-cylinder motor gave it a good power-to-weight package with just the right combination of fuel efficiency and performance.

Kia’s latest small SUV continues to use the signature Kia Tiger-nose grille and this design evolution gives the Kia Sonet a masculine appeal on the road. Its wide front end ensures a strong SUV stance that appeals to a wide range of car buyers. Fits with 16-inch wheels on all variants, the 1.5 LX MT uses styled steel wheels with covers while the higher-tier variants are fitted with two-tone alloy wheels. Thanks to its class-leading 205mm ground clearance, the Kia Sonet can handle both rough roads and gutter-deep instant flood or most urban obstacles with ease. 

Among the Sonet’s key design elements are the Star Map Signature LED multi-reflector headlamps and daytime running lights on the upper 1.5 SX AT and 1.5 EX AT variants. The top-of-the-line 1.5 SX AT variant also has an electric sunroof, roof rails, rear spoiler, and new tailgate LED strip connecting the left and right rear LED taillights. Inside, the 1.5 SX AT variant offers luxurious leather seats, while the other trims have premium cloth upholstery with 60:40 folding second-row seats, providing ample cargo space. 

The 1.5 SX features an advanced 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. The lower LX and EX variants come with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as well as wireless charging. Each Sonet has six speakers, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, voice recognition, and multiple USB ports, including USB-C, for modern device compatibility.

"The introduction of the Kia Sonet marks a significant milestone for us,” said Brian Buendia, Kia Philippines Chief Operating Officer. “It broadens our product range and reinforces our commitment to delivering movement that inspires by combining style, innovation, and value. We are excited to offer this modern entry SUV, especially to the young millennials and Gen Zs who seek a balance of convenience, technology, and affordability." 

For more information, visit Kia Philippines or check out the Kia Sonet in any of Kia’s 40 showrooms and dealerships nationwide.