- Kia Seltos & Sonet diesel manual transmission variants discontinued
- Now the diesel variants comes with iMT transmission
- Kia Sonet diesel gets uniform hike of Rs 50,000 and Seltos diesel gets a hike of Rs 20,000
The engine and transmission options for Kia India's entry-level SUV Sonet and its best-selling mid-size SUV Seltos have been changed. The manual transmission that came standard on the Kia Sonet and Seltos diesel models has now been replaced by the iMT gearbox by the manufacturer. The only available transmission for the 2023 Kia Sonet and Seltos diesel versions is an iMT (intelligent Manual Transmission) and a 6-speed torque converter.
Also Read: 2023 KIA Seltos SUV Now Available At CSD Canteen - Read Details
2023 Kia Seltos & Sonet Diesel Engine Update
The 1.5-liter diesel engine that powered the Kia Sonet diesel previously had two levels of tune: 98 and 113 bhp. With the update, this engine now has a single 114 bhp of power and a maximum torque of 242 Nm. The 6-speed manual transmission that Kia previously offered in the Sonet diesel have been replaced by a 6-speed iMT.The 6-speed torque converter automatic continues to come with the diesel engine as an option. The Sonet also has a 1.2-liter petrol engine and a 1.0-liter turbo-petrol engine in addition to the diesel.
The Kia Seltos' transmission option has also been modified by the brand. The Seltos diesel now has a 6-speed iMT and 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission paired with the same 114 bhp engine. The 6-speed manual transmission models have been discontinued by the manufacturer. The company has also discontinued the 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine. The 1.5-litre NA petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines are now options for the Seltos.
Kia Seltos & Sonet Price Hike
The price of the Seltos and Sonet lineup has increased in accordance with the brand's update of the transmission options. With the exception of the HTE MT model, which has seen a price increase of Rs 20,000, the Kia Seltos petrol range has witnessed a hike of Rs 25,000. The price of the Kia Seltos's diesel versions has increased by Rs 50,000. The Kia Seltos is now available in price range of Rs. 10.89 lakh and Rs. 19.65 lakh (ex-showroom).
Also Read: Kia Carens 2023 Gets New 1.5L Turbo-Petrol Engine; More Features
The diesel version of the Kia Seltos has also increased by Rs 50,000. In contrast, all petrol options have a 25,000 price hike. The Sonet HTX 1.0 DCT is now Rs 19,000 more expensive, and the entry-level HTE 1.2 MT is now Rs 10,000 more expensive. The Kia Sonet is currently available with price ranges of Rs 7.79 lakh and Rs 13.89 lakh (ex-showroom).
Verdict: Some potential customers who prefer manual transmissions may be turned off by the manual transmission's discontinuation. Some customers might well be disappointed as a result of the recent price increase. In the upcoming months, Kia might offer the 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine for the Seltos.
