Buying guide: KIA Stonic, which is the most balanced purchase option?

With the return to routine, the idea of buying a new car may have crossed your mind. That’s why today we’re going to talk about the KIA Stonic. This B-SUV or B-Crossover from KIA is among the best-sellers on the market, since it is positioned below the KIA Sportage and also shares engines and technologies with the Hyundai Kona.

We agree that the small crossover segment keeps adding new arrivals, but according to the brand itself, “KIA relies on the recipe of offering a quality product at a competitive price.” These ingredients make the KIA Stonic one of the “best-selling models in its category”, competing against models such as the Peugeot 2008, the Nissan Juke, or even the Renault Captur.

As for the exterior, the KIA Stonic features one of the brand’s boldest designs. Its front stands out with its distinctive ‘tiger nose’ grille, while the rest of the vehicle’s personality draws attention thanks to its high waistline and its visor-shaped roof, which can be customized and chosen in a different colour from the rest of the vehicle.

For its part, the interior offers generous space. The KIA small SUV offers a 352-litre boot capacity and seats five passengers. It is worth highlighting that the available equipment includes adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and start, and even heated front seats. We must not forget the driver assistance systems, a state-of-the-art infotainment system, an 8-inch touchscreen, and compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The most characterful B-SUV in the brand’s range comes as standard with an autonomous emergency braking system capable of detecting pedestrians. Likewise, among the assistance features, notable ones include lane departure warning, driver drowsiness alert, high beam assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWISI-T1hEM

What engines does the KIA Stonic have?

The SUV that sits below the KIA Sportage, the KIA Stonic, is available with several diesel and petrol engines. First, you can choose a 1.0 T-GDi three-cylinder engine with 120 hp, a 1.0 T-GDi three-cylinder with 100 hp, or a 1.2 naturally aspirated engine with 84 hp. As for the diesel versions, you can choose between a 1.6 CRDi with 115 or 136 hp.

As for transmissions, the 1.2 naturally aspirated engine with 84 hp is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. The rest of the powertrains come with a six-speed manual gearbox. If you opt for an automatic gearbox, it is only available with the 1.0 T-GDi three-cylinder engine with 120 hp, and it will be a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

It is worth noting that throughout 2019 the manufacturer plans to introduce an electrified variant. It would be a 48 V mild-hybrid system. This way, users could also opt for a KIA Stonic Mild-Hybrid.

What makes the KIA Stonic special?

According to the brand itself, this urban SUV offers “noble handling, with predictable reactions and great comfort.” It measures 4.14 metres in length and has a very eye-catching, youthful design, along with numerous customization options. Furthermore, when equipped with the Advanced Driving Assistance package, the KIA Stonic is capable of earning 5 stars in Euro NCAP safety tests.

It is available in three trim levels: Concept, Drive and Tech. The first includes LED daytime running lights, fog lights, hill start assist, air conditioning, speed control with limiter, automatic lights, electric windows, a leather steering wheel, a 7-inch touchscreen, and more. The second offers 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted glass, automatic climate control, rain sensor, front centre armrest, GPS, and rear parking sensors. The third trim features keyless entry and start, specific upholstery, a 3.5-inch LCD screen in the instrument cluster, pre-collision warning, lane departure warning, and aluminium pedals.

The KIA Stonic has become one of the urban SUVs with the best value for money, and its starting price is 12,800 euros. It is worth mentioning that this price is subject to financing with a minimum amount of 10,000 euros, a minimum term of 36 months, and a 36-month commitment period as well. This price corresponds to the 1.2 CVVT 84 hp version with front-wheel drive and a five-speed manual gearbox.

If 2,740 euros more are added to the initial price, for a total of 15,540 euros, you can get a KIA Stonic with a 1.0 T-GDi 120 hp petrol engine and manual gearbox. The most affordable diesel version is powered by a 1.6 CRDi 115 hp engine with a six-speed manual gearbox, priced at 16,320 euros. With this trim, the Korean SUV includes as standard 17″ alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, a 7″ central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control and speed limiter, air conditioning or light sensor, among other things.

On the other hand, if you opt for the Tech trim, which is available with a 1.0 T-GDi 120 hp petrol engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the price rises to 19,770 euros. This price includes all the features of the Concept trim, plus lane keeping assist, drowsiness detector, high beam assist, emergency braking, electrochromic rear-view mirror, and keyless entry and start.

What is the smartest purchase option?

As we have already mentioned, the KIA Stonic has become a very good purchase option for those looking for a small SUV, but which is the most balanced option? Although its starting price begins at 12,800 euros, the smartest purchase option is the one equipped with the 1.0 T-GDi three-cylinder engine with 120 hp and the Drive trim. This combination has a price of 16,990 euros. This price already includes a discount of 4,785 euros.

The KIA Drive trim equips the model with a multimedia system featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, navigation, rear camera, rear parking sensors, automatic climate control, TomTom connected services, alloy wheels, and connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverKIA Stonic7 versions · from 24,210 €