Kia Diesel-iMT Variants : Kia India has made significant updates to the Sonet, Seltos, and Carens for the 2025 model year. These changes primarily involve the discontinuation of the diesel-iMT combination and a restructured variant lineup. With these updates, Kia aims to streamline its offerings and introduce new trims equipped with enhanced features.
Major Updates Across Kia Models
Kia has rejigged the variant lineup for three of its popular models: the Sonet, Seltos, and Carens. These changes bring both feature enhancements and some eliminations to meet evolving market preferences.
Discontinuation of Diesel-iMT Variants
The most notable update across all three models is the discontinuation of the diesel-iMT powertrain. This decision reflects Kia’s focus on aligning with market demand and refining its portfolio to focus on more popular configurations.
Kia Seltos: New Trims and Feature Enhancements
The Kia Seltos receives three new trims for 2025: HTK(O), HTK+(O), and HTX(O). These trims bring a host of premium features to elevate the driving experience.
- HTK(O): Adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, cruise control, and ambient lighting.
- HTK+(O): Introduces LED headlamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, an electric parking brake with auto-hold, and paddle shifters for automatic variants.
- HTX(O): Offers a black rear spoiler, all-black interior, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a dual-camera dash cam.
Additionally, Kia has discontinued the GTX trims, retaining only the GTX+ variants. Powertrain options now exclude the diesel-iMT combination, with configurations tailored for different trims to cater to a broader range of consumers.
Kia Sonet: Adding More Value with New Trims
The Sonet’s updates include the introduction of the HTK+(O) trim, which sits between the HTK(O) and HTX trims. This variant adds several advanced features, enhancing both style and functionality.
- Key Features of HTK+(O):
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlamps, taillamps, and DRLs
- Leatherette seats and steering wheel
- Smartphone wireless charger
- Dash cam with dual cameras
- Smart key with push-button start
Kia has also discontinued the Gravity edition variants of the Sonet. As with the Seltos, diesel-iMT powertrains are no longer available in the Sonet lineup, leaving a refined selection of engine-transmission combinations.
Kia Carens: Luxury Trim Discontinued
Kia has discontinued the Luxury trim of the Carens, along with adjustments to the powertrain and transmission options. The 7-speed DCT, offered with the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, will now be available in the Prestige Plus (O), Luxury Plus, and X-Line trims.
Meanwhile, the iMT option remains exclusive to turbo petrol engines in select trims, including the Premium (O), Gravity, and Prestige Plus. These changes simplify the lineup while retaining popular configurations.
Implications of Kia’s Updates
Kia’s decision to discontinue diesel-iMT variants reflects shifting market dynamics. With the rising popularity of automatic and turbocharged petrol engines, the company has prioritized configurations that align with customer preferences.
By introducing new trims with advanced features, Kia enhances its appeal among tech-savvy buyers. The inclusion of features like panoramic sunroofs, digital instrument clusters, and dash cams in mid-level trims offers more value, making these models competitive in their segments.
What’s Next for Kia India?
With these updates, Kia demonstrates its commitment to staying ahead in a highly competitive market. By streamlining its lineup and adding premium features, the company strengthens its position across key segments. Consumers can expect Kia to continue innovating and responding to market trends, ensuring its models remain among the top choices in India.
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