Kia Seltos And Sonet To Get More Affordable GT Line Variants
Kia has recently updated its GT Line range of the Sonet and Seltos in India by adding a new Aurora Black colour option. The company now plans to introduce new, more affordable GT Line variants of these SUVs in the third quarter of 2024. These new variants will be available with both petrol and diesel engines.
The upcoming variants will be positioned between the existing GT Line and HT Line models. Currently, the entry-level GT Line of the Sonet is priced Rs 10,000 higher than the top-spec HT Line, while the Seltos GT Line is Rs 32,000 more expensive than its HT counterpart. The new variants are expected to bridge this price gap while still offering clear distinctions between the GT and HT Lines in terms of design and features. Additionally, the X-Line will now be available only as the top-spec trim.
Seltos GT Line vs. HT Line: Key Differences
The GT Line and HT Line trims of Kia Seltos differ significantly in design and features. The HT Line is tailored for families, offering practicality and comfort, while the GT Line is sportier and more feature-rich.
The GT Line boasts sportier elements such as 18-inch alloy wheels, gloss black roof rails, a sporty rear bumper with dual-exhaust tips (in Turbo variants), and premium exterior inserts. The cabin features an all-black color scheme with white accents, along with advanced features like ADAS. Both petrol and diesel engines are available.
In contrast, the HT Line focuses on comfort with 17-inch alloy wheels (or 16-inch steel rims on lower variants), a simpler bumper design, and a Black and Brown interior. It includes features such as a height-adjustable driver seat, automatic climate control, and a sunroof. The smaller wheels on the HT Line provide a smoother ride on rough roads, compared to the GT.
Sonet GT Line vs. HT Line: Key Differences
The Sonet’s GT and HT variants also differ in terms of design and features. It features red brake callipers, multiple red accents on the exterior, unique air dam design, and a blacked-out rear skid plate. Inside, it has an all-black colour scheme with sound mood lighting, Aluminum pedals, GT Line insignia on the seats, contrast stitching, and selectable drive and traction modes.
The Sonet HT Line, on the other hand, offers a more subdued design with a blacked-out grille, silver skid plates, and dual-tone wheels without red calipers. The interior has a beige-black colour way, with a high focus on everyday livability.
Preparing for the Clavis?
Kia is planning to launch a new sub-compact SUV that will sit between the Seltos and Sonet, based on the Kia Clavis (likely to be named Syros upon launch). This new SUV will likely have the same set of variants as the Sonet and Seltos.
Kia Clavis will be larger than the Sonet but smaller than the Seltos, and will use the same engines as the outgoing Sonet: a 1.5-liter diesel, a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol, and a 1.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine, with options for manual, iMT, and automatic transmissions.
Design-wise, the Clavis will differ significantly from the Sonet, with features like vertically stacked LED DRLs, LED headlamps and tail lamps, a refreshed tiger-nose grille, a clamshell bonnet, front door-mounted ORVMs, dual-tone roof rails, L-shaped LED rear lights, a high-mounted stop lamp, and new alloy wheels.
The new SUV is expected to come with a range of premium features, many borrowed from the Sonet, including a sunroof, ventilated front seats, dual-tone upholstery, wireless charging, two 10.25-inch screens, and a 360-degree camera. The Clavis is anticipated to launch in India in the first half of 2025.