Kia Gives Its SUVs A Refresh For 2022 With Better Standard Safety Features

• UVO Connect is now Kia Connect on the app and in the SUVs. 

• Six airbags no longer exclusive to the top-spec variants of the Sonet (GTX+) and Seltos (GTX+ and X-Line).

• Seltos gets a retuned suspension to improve ride quality. 

• The compact SUV also gets standard rear disc brakes, ESC and hill hold assist.

• It’s offered in HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX, HTX+, GTX, GTX(O), GTX+ and X-Line trim lines. 

• The Sonet comes in HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX, HTX+ and GTX+ trims. 

The start of the new financial year is often a time for car price hikes in India. To justify the increase, Korean carmaker Kia has given select variants of the Sonet and Seltos SUVs new safety features and a couple of cosmetic and equipment upgrades. The Seltos is now priced from Rs 10.19 lakh to Rs 18.45 lakh, while the Sonet retails between Rs 7.15 lakh and Rs 12.39 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). 

Common Updates: 

The UVO Connect suite of connected car features is now called Kia Connect. You’ll see this name change in the smartphone app as well as on the touchscreen infotainment system. The inside rearview mirror buttons see small changes – the SOS button is now red, and the UVO button now has a Kia Connect logo instead. 

Both SUVs earlier offered government-mandated dual front airbags, rear parking sensors and ABS as standard. But all variants now get four airbags (dual front plus a pair of front side airbags) and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) as standard. 

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They also get new Sparkling Silver and Imperial Blue paint shades for the exterior. The older Intelligency Blue and Steel Silver paint options have been discontinued, and the Sonet loses its Gold Beige colour.    

Changes In The 2022 Kia Sonet 

Features that were exclusive to higher-spec variants are more accessible in the Sonet. From the mid-spec HTK+ trim level onwards, you can get the turbo-petrol-powered iMT variant of the Sonet with stability control (ESC), VSM, hill assist (HAC) and brake assist (BA). If you want the diesel-powered Sonet, you can get these features from the HTX trim level onwards. 

Six airbags are now offered on the HTX+ variant, and the 4.2-inch instrument display has trickled down to the HTX and HTX AE (Anniversary Edition) models. You can get the semi-leatherette seats from the HTE variant onwards. The carmaker has swapped the fabric loops for folding the rear seat with knobs for easier operation. 

In addition, the Sonet gets a new nameplate with a different font from before. 

Changes In The 2022 Kia Seltos 

Kia has given the Seltos a suspension retune, seemingly to improve the compact SUV’s ride quality and passenger comfort. Lower-spec variants equipped with steel wheels get a new ‘ornament type’ wheel cover design with a Kia logo at the centre. 

The diesel-powered Seltos can now be had with a semi-automatic iMT (clutchless manual) gearbox, albeit only in the mid-spec HTK+ trim. Alternatively, the fully-automatic diesel-AT combination has become more accessible with a new HTX variant.  

Also read: 

• Kia Sonet Likely To Get Boost In Safety Features Soon 

• Facelifted Kia Seltos Reveals Its New Rear-End Design, Launch Expected This Year

• Kia’s 2030 Roadmap Explained: 14 All-electric Vehicles By 2027, New Autonomous Driving Technologies, And Sales Plan 

In addition to the four airbags and TPMS, the Seltos’ standard safety equipment list now includes ESC, rear disc brakes, VSM, HAC and BA. Six airbags, earlier exclusive to the top-spec GTX+ and X-Line variants, are now available on the HTX+, GTX (O) variants as well. You’ll also see new ‘X-Line’ logos embroidered on the headrests of the 2022 Seltos X-Line. 

All fully automatic variants (equipped with DCT, iVT and torque converter transmissions) now get paddle shifters on the steering column. In addition, the traction/drive modes are standard on Seltos fully automatics. 

Similar to the Sonet, the Seltos gets a new logo as well.