Priced a smidgen below R300 000, the manual LS knocks R67 000 off of the Sonet’s previous starting price.
Despite debuting the refreshed Sonet on local soil in June, Kia South Africa has expanded the range by a further two derivatives to nine with the introduction of the new LS entry-level variant.
Positioned below the LX that until now at been the starting point in the Sonet line-up, the LS reduces the starting price by R67 000 to under R300 000 for the manual model, and a smidgen below R325 000 for the comparative CVT.
Compared to the LX, the LS ditches the 16-inch alloy-styled wheels for 15-inches while also doing away with the 60/40 split rear seat and daytime running lights.
It, therefore, keeps the remainder of the LX’s features, namely the eight-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the six-speaker sound system, cloth upholstered seats, all-around electric windows, the 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster display and electric mirrors.
Also included is the following;
- multi-function steering wheel;
- front and rear USB ports;
- tilt adjustable steering column;
- voice recognition;
- auto on/off halogen welcome-me home headlights;
- dual front airbags;
- a reverse camera;
- Hill Start Assist;
- Electronic Stability Control
Up front, the LS makes do with the normally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine that sends its 85kW/144Nm to front axle via either the mentioned six-speed manual or the optional CVT.
Respective 0-100 km/h sprint times are 10.5 seconds and 10.3 seconds, with both having a top speed of 175 km/h. The claimed fuel consumption is 6.6 L/100 km for the manual and 6.2 L/100 km for the CVT.
As with the rest of the Sonet range, the LS offers 385-litres of boot space and makes do with 190 mm of ground clearance.
Colours and price
On the colour side, seven mono-tone hues are available; Aurora Black Pearl, Glacier White Pearl, Sparkling Silver Metallic, Gravity Grey Metallic, Intense Red Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic and Pewter Olive Metallic.
Included with the Sonet LS’ price tag is a five-year/unlimited km, but not the four-year/60 000 km service plan which makes way for a pre-paid item over three-years or 45 000 km.
- Sonet 1.5 LS – R299 900
- Sonet 1.5 LS CVT – R324 996
- Sonet 1.5 LX – R366 995
- Sonet 1.5 LX CVT – R391 995
- Sonet 1.5 EX CVT – R411 995
- Sonet 1.0 T-GDI EX DCT – R436 995
- Sonet 1.5 EX Plus CVT – R454 995
- Sonet 1.5 SX CVT – R484 995
NOW READ: Kia composes facelift Sonet’s next chapter with significant intrigue
