Kia Stonic facelift: final care
The Kia Stonic has been on the market since 2017 and has been revised several times since then. Now there is a final update that brings more power.
(Image: Kia)
Asian manufacturers are often said to have a very tight schedule when it comes to model updates. With this in mind, the redesign of the Kia Stonic is remarkable, as the car has been on the market since 2017. Kia has intervened several times during this time, but after eight years it would normally be ready for a successor. However, those responsible decided that there was still time and left it at the model update. This brings the small SUV a cockpit in the company's current style, new assistants and, on request, a little more power.
Display front
The progress is particularly visible in the interior. As in other models of the brand, the two displays are now combined in one long front and are no longer spatially separated. As before, a navigation system with online services comes as standard in the base model. Kia provides up to six updates for the map material and two for the car's operating system free of charge. The previously separate control of the automatic climate control is now part of a switchable bar, which can also be used to operate a few functions of the infotainment system. New features include USB-C quick-charging ports and an inductive charging pad for smartphones.
(Image: Kia)
Kia has also improved the assistants. A highway assistant is designed to support lane and distance keeping. The adaptive cruise control now uses data from the navigation system and can, for example, independently adjust the speed before bends. Occupants receive a message from the exit warning system if they overlook other road users when opening the doors. With the so-called Digital Key 2.0, some smartphones or smartwatches can be used as car keys.
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New: mild hybrid with 85 kW
As before, there is a turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a displacement of one liter, which is now available in two power levels: as before with 74 kW and now as a mild hybrid with 85 kW. Customers can have both with a six-speed manual gearbox or a dual-clutch transmission with seven gears. What is striking in the first data sheet is that all versions have 172 Nm between 1500 and 4000 rpm – except for the mild hybrid with 85 kW, which provides 200 Nm between 2000 and 3000 rpm. Kia has not yet provided any information on driving performance or fuel consumption, but the predecessor should provide more than just a rough guide. It was around 5.5 liters in the WLTP, reached 100 km/h in 11.3 seconds in the manual transmission version and accelerated the small SUV to 179 km/h. This is unlikely to change much, and the optional increase of 11 kW will not dramatically shift these figures either.
(Image: Kia)
Prices expected to remain constant
Kia has also not yet named any prices for the revised Stonic, which is due to arrive at German dealerships at the end of the year. No major changes are expected. The most recent official price for the base model was 22,690 euros, and only those who really exhaust everything that Kia offers in this car would push the list price to slightly more than 30,000 euros. The theory that this will not change fundamentally is supported by the environment and a price-sensitive target group. Competitors with similar dimensions and combustion engines include the Seat Arona, Renault Captur, Toyota Yaris Cross and the VW T-Cross. They are all currently facing plenty of fresh competition from small e-SUVs, including the Mini Aceman, Renault 4 and the line-up of upcoming small Volkswagen models. Ford and Opel already offer electric drive as an option in this segment in the Puma and Mokka, albeit at prices that make you wonder why they are actually doing this.
(mfz)