Next-generation Kia Sonet spotted testing in Himachal with new LED lights

Kia's next-generation Sonet has been spotted again, this time on high-altitude testing in the Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh. Fresh spy shots show the compact SUV with a completely redesigned front and rear lighting setup ahead of its launch, which is expected in 2027.

The car under test is heavily camouflaged, yet its new lights are clearly visible. At the front, the main lamps sit lower down, with slim LED daytime running lights above them. The bonnet appears to have a clamshell design. Viewed from the back, the tail lamps have a sharper, more angular shape. Unlike some of Kia's recent models, the lights do not appear to be joined by a full-width light bar.

Changes to the body and cabin

The test car also shows redesigned wing mirrors and new alloy wheels that look larger than those on the current Sonet. The exact wheel size is hard to confirm from the photos. The second-generation model seems to carry fresh body panels, reworked doors and alterations to its overall structure.

The bigger changes are likely to be underneath. The Sonet is expected to shift to Kia's K1 platform, which also supports the Syros. That would give Kia more room to improve cabin space, an area where rear-seat room has been a known weakness of the current car. A revised dashboard is also expected, possibly with two 12.3-inch screens, updated materials and a new cabin layout. Features such as a 360-degree camera and an upgraded driver assistance suite are all on the table, though Kia has not confirmed the final equipment list.

Kia has not yet announced a price, a launch date or full specifications for the next Sonet. Until then, the details come from spy photos and not from the company. Readers looking at the compact SUV segment will have to wait for an official reveal to know what the new model will cost and what it will offer.