The arrival of the two compact sport utility vehicles, the all-new Kia Sonet and the high-tech Kia Seltos may just be timely for those waiting for special vehicles to rock the end of the year known for festivities and unique automobiles.

The two Kia models assembled in Nigeria were unveiled in Lagos last Friday to the motoring journalists are expected to significantly raise the market share of the Kia brand in the compact SUV segment, which is fast becoming the toast of many new car buyers globally including Nigeria, especially young trendy people.

The Sonet

Kia says the bold compact Sonet now available for customers in Nigeria has been developed ground-up to set new benchmarks in design, technology, dynamics and safety.

According to the firm, the vehicle offers first-in-class six-speed automatic, alongside a wide choice of powertrains

“The urban and athletic Sonet has arrived in Nigeria and poised to revolutionise the sub-compact SUV segment. Designed to be bold and unforgettable, the Sonet boasts of key features that place it in a league of its own within the compact SUV segment,” says Kia’s Marketing Manager, Olawale Jimoh.

Specifically, he says the Sonet coming with multiple powertrain options has impressive features encapsulated in a modern exterior and incorporates the Kia’s DNA of emotive styling along with a premium appeal creating a strong presence on the road.

The Sonet is said to provide comfort, convenience and safety as it has been fitted with the largest and the best in class 10.25-inch (26.03 cm) HD and it comes with other smart features such as multi-drive and traction modes, and grip control for automatic models.

Designed around the driver with a well laid-out, intuitive infotainment and cluster interface, the Sonet was built taking into consideration the end user’s experience, harbouring functional qualities in every inch of its ergonomic space, says Kia.

Managing Director/CEO, Kia Nigeria, Jacky Hathiramani, says, “Kia has manufactured a vision inspired by our young, ingenious customers who crave simplicity and seamlessness in their lives.

“The Sonet delivers on features that are simply not found in models belonging to the same compact SUV category. Packed with first-in-class, purposeful features and technologies. Our Nigeria customers will find in the Sonet a smart companion to navigate the needs of life.”

For the engine, Kia says with an efficiently petrol-powered engine, Kia Sonet offers its 1.5-litre MPI engine with the six-speed automatic transmission.

For safety, the firm says more than two-thirds of the Sonet’s body consists of high strength and advanced high strength steel, which creates a robust yet lightweight structure.

Kia says it has ensured that every drive with the Sonet is as hassle free and safe as possible, with a rigorous set of measures created in line with the automaker’s pillars of safety.

The Sonet will be available in a dual trim concept that includes a sporty GT-Line trim. Enhancing the Sonet’s athletic and energetic appeal, the GT-Line models offer sportiness both inside and out. Customers looking for a sharp, dynamic road presence have the choice to opt for this trim.

Seltos: Combining sophistication, comfort, efficiency

Kia says the new Seltos is one of the most high-tech cars in its class with a range of in-car features.

It is described as a technologically advanced and refined compact SUV equipped with a range of market and world-first features and designed to make driving safer and less stressful.

“The new Kia Seltos brings sophistication, assertiveness and cutting-edge technology and safety features to the global compact SUV segment,” says the Kia Nigeria

It adds, “The Seltos is characterised by distinctive design details, lending the compact SUV an air of understated sportiness. It combines forward-looking technical features, class-leading space and a suite of world-class safety features, and is powered by a choice of highly-efficient Smartstream petrol and diesel engines.”

Kia Nigeria MD/CEO, Hathiramani, speaks on the new SUV, saying, “The Seltos is an important car for Kia as it will play a central role in the expansion of our footprints, and especially in a priority market like Nigeria.

“We’ve adapted our strengths in design, quality and technology to fulfil the needs of customers in the Nigerian market. Seltos is aimed at youthful, tech-savvy buyers and is packed full of our most cutting-edge technology and safety equipment.”

Looking at its exterior design, this easily reveals the Seltos’ sporty and sophisticated nature through its long hood, a strong, character line on the front bumper, and sharp lines pressed into the bodywork.

It also sports a wide ‘tiger nose grille’, making the car instantly recognizable as a Kia, but with a difference.

The rear bumper with a metallic muffler effect accentuates this dynamic appearance.

For the interior design, the Seltos is designed with high quality, futuristic materials. With a target at youthful, tech-savvy buyers, the cabin is characterized by broad, sweeping shapes and highly technical details. Equipped with a range of technologies to maximize convenience, connectivity and ease of use, the bold design of the cabin incorporates a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The vehicle comes with the lounge-like and spacious interior and houses 8.0-inch head-up display system which unobtrusively projects relevant driving information on to a small-glass panel behind the steering wheel – such as turn-by-turn navigation directions and vehicle speed information.

The Seltos is equipped with a range of newly developed third-generation powertrains for high efficiency and powerful performance. All powertrains are engineered with Kia’s Smartstream technology for improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

Kia showcases the vehicle and its 1.6-litre T-GDI turbocharged petrol engine, producing 177 PS.

It says other options are a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, producing 149 PS; and a 1.6-litre diesel engine, producing 136 PS.

For the Nigerian market, the Seltos will be offered with an automatic transmission options to suit customers’ needs and driving style – a six-speed automatic transmission (6AT) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) .

The car’s 10.25-inch advanced infotainment system is said to be packed full of technology and gives advanced split-screen functionality. This allows users to control or monitor numerous vehicle features at the same time, and customize the screen to display up to three applications simultaneously.

The driver can choose to have a single display (such as navigation) or combine different elements on-screen.

The vehicle has a full range of advanced active safety systems to keep its occupants well protected on every journey.

For instance, the Seltos’ body is made up of a blend of steel and aluminium, maximising torsional rigidity while keeping body weight low.

The vehicle is fitted with six airbags, as well as a suite of electronic vehicle safety systems such as Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management system as standard, incorporating traction control and electronic stability control.

It is also fitted with an Anti-lock Braking System, a Traction Control System, a Brake-Force Assist System and Hill-start Assist Control, as well as front and rear parking sensors, for assistance when parking.