Kia has lastly performed away with the dreary non-turbo engine in lower-grade Stonic fashions, in addition to including just a few anticipated security options to the vary.
Word: That is an up to date model of a evaluate first printed in September 2024. There have been no specification modifications since then, although pricing has modified barely.
We have now up to date key particulars, together with pricing, with probably the most up-to-date data accessible. You may learn the unique model of this evaluate right here.
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluate of the 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line
Does that make this small SUV stack up higher than earlier than? Effectively, it prices extra now (however doesn’t every part?) and there are nonetheless some kinks that may very well be ironed out…
However on this evaluate, you’ll be taught if the mid-spec 2025 Kia Stonic Sport is the decide of the vary, or if spending a few grand extra on the GT-Line can be a greater guess.
How does the Kia Stonic evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Kia Stonic towards equally sized automobiles.
Kia
Stonic
How a lot does the Kia Stonic value?
The variant examined right here is the mid-spec Sport, which beforehand was a misnomer. However with the brand new, extra highly effective three-cylinder turbo engine, it really lives as much as the moniker just a little higher.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-roads | Drive-away value |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Stonic S | $25,660 | $27,740 |
| 2025 Kia Stonic Sport | $28,790 | $30,340 |
| 2025 Kia Stonic GT-Line | $31,980 | $33,540 |
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
What’s the Kia Stonic like on the within?
Kia hasn’t gone exhausting on the entire ‘bling’ factor on the within of the Stonic, particularly in comparison with some rivals which have an entire lot extra wow issue for brand spanking new automotive consumers.
There have nonetheless been some enhancements for the Stonic that bode properly for consumers, together with a digital instrument cluster fairly than a small display screen flanked by standard dials.
The centre a part of the brand new show features a multi-info show, with a visit laptop display screen, compass, temperature readout and extra. If you change drive modes (sure, all grades have three modes – Regular, Sport and Eco) the colouring across the edges of the cluster modifications.
The opposite display screen is an 8.0-inch touchscreen unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, each of which require you to plug in. There’s additionally no wi-fi telephone charger, so this isn’t feeling as trendy as many rivals on this class.
However in some methods, the old-school display screen is nice as a result of it’s easy to be taught, the menus are simple, and there are buttons beneath and dials to the aspect for easy modifications on the transfer.
The mid-spec Sport has satellite tv for pc navigation as normal, however I primarily stayed linked to CarPlay and had no points with it (as is often the case with USB-connected mirroring).
The brilliance of easy controls continues beneath the touchscreen, with dials for the single-zone local weather management temperature and the fan pace, in addition to buttons for the air path, air circulation, and entrance and rear defoggers.
Who would have thought these issues can be worthy of reward? However these blingy, screen-heavy small SUVs typically have minimal bodily buttons and knobs, which makes them tedious to work together with.
There are illuminated vainness mirrors (you must flick the swap to mild issues up, although), and it will get a handbook day/night time mirror, not an auto-dimming one. There’s a typical sunglass holder, nevertheless.
Storage up entrance is first rate, with a shelf above the USB-A port that’s a bit too cramped to suit a big smartphone. There’s additionally a pair of cupholders between the seats, a lined centre console space, and first rate entrance door pockets for bottles.
One thing you may’t escape on this automotive is the sensation of cheapness – the armrests on the doorways are exhausting plastic, and it’s not a pleasant feeling in your elbow!
Within the again, it’s the identical story. The door playing cards have bottle holders but in addition have exhausting plastic finishes. There’s additionally no flip-down armrest, so no cupholders. Different facilities embody a single USB-A port, one map pocket, seize handles on the ceiling and a lightweight.
No directional air vents within the again signifies that mother and father mightn’t discover the state of affairs to be very best for little ones within the again, however there are ISOFIX factors within the window seats and three prime tethers for baby seats.
The house for a six-foot grownup behind their very own driving place is okay, however a bit cramped by way of legroom. Head room, toe room and shoulder house are all nice for the scale of the automotive.
The boot house is first rate, with 332 litres of cargo capability with the again seats up, and 1132L accessible once you fold these rear seats down.
There are purchasing bag hooks and a helpful storage field on the aspect of the boot space, and whereas there are locators for an adjustable exhausting boot flooring, the precise boot flooring is flimsy, and doesn’t slot in there to lift the ground.
Below the boot is a space-saver spare wheel, which is a plus.
| Dimensions | Kia Stonic Sport |
|---|---|
| Size | 4140mm |
| Width | 1760mm |
| Peak | 1520mm |
| Wheelbase | 2580mm |
| Cargo capability | 332L (5 seats) 1132L (2 seats) |
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
What’s below the bonnet?
As talked about, the large change right here is the standardisation of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which beforehand was reserved for the top-spec GT-Line.
| Specs | Kia Stonic Sport |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.0L 3cyl turbo |
| Energy | 74kW |
| Torque | 172Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch auto |
| Pushed wheels | FWD |
| Weight | 1227kg (tare) |
| Gas economic system (claimed) | 5.4L/100km |
| Gas economic system (as examined) | 7.1L/100km |
| Gas tank capability | 45 litres |
| Gas requirement | 91 RON (E10 succesful) |
| CO2 emissions | 125g/km |
| Emissions normal | Euro 5 |
| Braked tow capability | 900kg |
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
How does the Kia Stonic drive?
The earlier engine within the S and Sport grades was a dud.
Effectively, that is perhaps harsh – it was barely ample by way of energy, and the auto transmission all the time felt prefer it was robbing you of momentum by attempting to upshift early to save lots of gasoline.
This new engine? It was an amazing match for the sportier wanting GT-Line within the final vary, and it’s positively a extra becoming system for this utility extra broadly.
With a comparatively mild weight and an honest quantity of torque, the up to date Stonic by no means feels prefer it runs out of puff just like the final mannequin did, and the engine is a little bit of a revelation.
It gives ample zest and zippiness in slower driving conditions round city, and in addition handles freeway hauling with ease, responding shortly to sudden throttle inputs.
The seven-speed dual-clutch isn’t excellent, however it does do an excellent job when you’re away from a standstill.
In stop-start conditions it may be a bit sluggish to reply, particularly if the engine start-stop system has activated. That, with DCT and turbo lag could make for some less-than-perfect take-offs from a standing begin.
At pace the DCT is sweet, providing sensible and snappy shifts, and in my testing I discovered it to be extra agreeable than I recalled the GT-Line feeling beforehand.
Sitting atop 17-inch wheels with comparatively low-profile rubber there’s a little bit of a firmness to the experience, however it doesn’t get clumsy or crashy except you hit a extremely sharp edge.
The steering is properly weighted and responsive in city driving, however there’s additionally a stage of surety and management that some low-cost Chinese language alternate options don’t supply when driving on nation roads or at freeway tempo.
There’s a little bit of racket to deal with on coarser highway surfaces, however it isn’t too unhealthy round city.
Fortunately, not like loads of rivals, there may be not an abundance of irritating security know-how that require disabling earlier than you may drive in peace. There’s a lane-keeping button, which is straightforward to disable for those who don’t prefer it.
However what could annoy some is the dearth of adaptive cruise management, which makes distance commuting a bit extra of a ‘do I actually should assume this a lot at 7am?’ process.
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
What do you get?
The 2025 Kia Stonic vary continues to be supplied in three trim ranges – on take a look at right here is the mid-spec Sport variant.
2025 Kia Stonic S tools highlights:
- 15-inch alloy wheels (NEW)
- House saver spare wheel
- Idle stop-start
- Material upholstery
- 6-way handbook driver’s seat adjustment
- Heated, electric-folding aspect mirrors (NEW)
- Roof rails
- Digital instrument cluster
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Entrance USB charging port
- Handbook air-conditioning
Stonic Sport provides:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Entrance fog lights
- Push-button begin
- Rear privateness glass (NEW)
- Entrance centre console armrest
- Rain-sensing windscreen wipers (NEW)
- Premium shift knob
- Premium steering wheel
- 2 x USB charging ports
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Single-zone local weather management (NEW)
- Auto window defogger
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
Is the Kia Stonic secure?
The Kia Stonic achieved the utmost five-star ANCAP security ranking in 2017, based mostly on testing of the now-defunct Rio. That ranking has now expired, which means the automotive is now unrated.
Commonplace security tools contains:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with ahead collision warning
- Automotive, pedestrian and bicycle owner detection
- Lane-keep help
- Lane following help
- Lead automobile departure alert
- Entrance (NEW) and rear parking sensors
- Blind-spot collision avoidance (NEW)
- Nightfall-sensing automated headlights
- Pace-sensing auto door lock
These further security gadgets do add some worth and comfort, however it nonetheless lacks adaptive cruise management. Many inexpensive rivals embody this together with site visitors jam help.
It is also fitted with six airbags – twin entrance, entrance aspect and full-length curtain.
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
How a lot does the Kia Stonic value to run?
Kia gives a typical seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee. The model additionally contains roadside help for as much as eight years, offering you service inside the model’s supplier community.
Servicing is required each 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.
| Service interval | Service value |
|---|---|
| 12 months/10,000km | $290 |
| 24 months/20,000km | $491 |
| 36 months/30,000km | $345 |
| 48 months/40,000km | $727 |
| 60 months/50,000km | $326 |
| 72 months/60,000km | $610 |
| 84 months/70,000km | $578 |
| Complete | $3367 |
At a mean value of $481 per service, the upkeep is on the expensive aspect.
The truth is, it’s greater than double the price of a Toyota Yaris Cross to service, and that rival has longer service intervals too. So ensure you do the maths, as a result of for those who journey 20,000km a yr it’s going so as to add up quick.
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Stonic
There is no such thing as a doubt the turbo engine makes a giant distinction to the drive expertise within the decrease spec Stonic fashions, however ensure you take it for a radical take a look at drive with a lot of stop-start conditions to see how you discover the engine and transmission at metropolis speeds.
In any other case, it’s a fairly compelling choice in comparison with budget-focused alternate options, particularly for those who admire not having to work together with a display screen to attempt to do something within the cabin.
Serious about shopping for a Kia Stonic? Get in contact with one in every of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
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