Kia Stonic Review

Gumtree Rating

4.5 rating

The latest addition to Kia’s lineup of crossovers, the Stonic has the sporty looks to stand out in the subcompact SUV segment. Although it looks like an off-roader, the intention was to make an agile roadster with pace to burn. In fact, Kia was very careful not to add any more weight than needed with the Stonic. Plenty of customisation options, good value for money and lots of space for four adults make it the ideal purchase if you’re looking for an everyday car that can deliver a bit more in terms of driving pleasure.

Visit the Kia Stonic model page to explore available cars and learn more.

What we think about the Kia Stonic

The Kia Stonic competes in an overpopulated segment, but fun performance and a spacious interior help it stand out.

Pros

+

Great ride and handling

+

Space for four adults

+

Good value for money

Cons

Uninspiring cabin

Other cars in the segment look better

Low practicality

The Kia Stonic hit the market in 2017. You can now find versions available with three different powertrains: a naturally-aspirated petrol unit, a turbocharged petrol unit and one diesel. Four trim levels and plenty of customisation options mean the Stonic is easy to personalise to your needs.

Driving performance of the Kia Stonic

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

All models of the Kia Stonic come with front-wheel drive, and the emphasis here is on a sporty and agile feel, rather than a comfortable and smooth one. The ride is composed and tidy, capable of handling good speeds even round corners. The steering can feel light and lacking sometimes, which takes away from the experience slightly, but slick gear shifts and lots of grip make up for it. All in all, the high driving position and firm handling mean you can expect a dynamic ride with the Kia Stonic.

Safety and reliability of the Kia Stonic

Our Safety Rating8 / 10

Euro NCAP has awarded two different star ratings for the Kia Stonic from 2017: the basic model achieved three stars but adding the Safety Pack boosted it to five. Six airbags, stability control (to provide traction on wet and gravelly surfaces) and Isofix rear seat mountings come as standard. Upgrading to the more expensive trims adds in high-beam assist, driver attention warning and autonomous emergency braking. In terms of reliability, Kia’s top-of-the-class warranty is a testament to the company’s manufacturing standards.

Under the bonnet of the Kia Stonic

Our Engine Rating7 / 10

The entry-level naturally aspirated 1.4-litre petrol unit produces just 98 bhp, but it does zip from 0 to 60 mph in 10.4 seconds. The turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol brings in a pleasant amount of punch, with the ability to bring that 0 to 60 time down to 9.9 seconds. The sole diesel option is a 1.6-litre unit that takes 10.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. If you’re looking for a refined and quiet cruise, all these options will do you well, but if peppy handling is your thing, the naturally aspirated engine is the way to go.

What you'll find in the Kia Stonic

Our Design Rating8 / 10

There’s no doubt the Kia Stonic is a good looking car. A tall stance and chunky wheel arches give it a distinctly off-road SUV-like character (which is slightly misleading given that it’s a front-wheel-drive). LED daytime running lights and a glossy front grille make for an attractive look from the front. The muscular aesthetics are amplified well by the two-tone roof treatment that’s standard in the First Edition model. The good news is that all models get 17-inch alloys as standard, and with several bright colours on offer, personalisation is very easy.

Comfort and interiors in the Kia Stonic

Our Comfort Rating8 / 10

When it comes to interiors, the Stonic focuses on function over form. There’s lots of room inside to comfortably fit four adults, even for long journeys. A large glovebox, door pockets and other little cubbyholes allow you to stow away plenty of knick-knacks and everyday items. At 352 litres, the boot space isn’t the best in class, but it doesn’t feel like too much of a compromise given the large legroom for the rear seats. The grey plastics can make the interior look a bit unpolished, so you may want to upgrade to colour-coded packs for some cool highlights.

Red Kia Stonic Cockpit

What features you'll find in the Kia Stonic

Our Features Rating8 / 10

For in-car entertainment, the Stonic comes with a central seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a smartphone layout that makes it easy to use. The system connects to Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, DAB radio and Bluetooth, but you can also use the built-in satnav that connects to TomTom for live traffic updates. A reversing camera and a six-speaker stereo come as standard, too. For added convenience, there’s a USB charging port at the back. Upgrading to the top-of-the-line trim gets you climate control, video surveillance cameras and a sports aerodynamic body kit

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Kia Stonic

Our Fuel Consumption Rating8 / 10

All the models fare well in terms of efficiency, with start-stop as standard across the range. The entry-level petrol unit delivers 49.6 mpg, while the turbocharged powertrain manages 53.4 mpg. The diesel engine is particularly efficient, providing 57.6 mpg. Reasonably low emissions mean that the Stonic is good for getting BiK rates on company cars. All models also attract the same VED tax each year. All in all, you can expect low costs from the Kia, making it a great value-for-money purchase.

Running costs of the Kia Stonic

Our Cost Rating9 / 10

Relatively low emissions on all models mean that the Kia Stonic sits between insurance groups ten and 14. The diesel offers the lowest emissions at 104 g/km, while the petrol units range between 130 g/km and 132 g/km. Kia’s industry-benchmark seven-year/100,000 mile warranty definitely makes it an attractive purchase, especially for used car buyers. You have a choice between three and five-year service plans, and they’re both quite reasonably priced. With Kia’s reputation for reliability, you have very little to worry about regarding unexpected visits to a garage.

Our verdict of the Kia Stonic

4.5 rating

4.5 / 5 Gumtree rating

Lots of interior space and punchy engines make the Kia Stonic an attractive purchase in the subcompact SUV segment.