Korean carmaker Kia first introduced the Stonic compact SUV back in 2017 for the young and first-time car buyer markets. Eight years later, the brand’s urban-friendly small SUV has undergone a makeover. Now, it’s all grown up in style with improved tech and safety.
Guided by Kia’s “opposites united” design philosophy, the refreshed Stonic features a more expressive and confident exterior. Starting at the front, the Stonic features Kia’s signature star map lighting design. This highlights the sharper and more sculpted grille, which has evolved from its predecessor’s version of the brand’s “tiger nose” design. The fresh fascia is rounded off by an updated bumper, now restyled to look more minimalist and streamlined.
Kia didn’t make many changes to the basic profile design, although it’s slightly longer than its previous model at 4,165 mm. In context, the predecessor measures approximately 4,140 mm. The width, height, and wheelbase dimensions remain unchanged at 1,760 mm, 1,520 mm, and 2,580 mm, respectively.
Kia, however, toned down its styling to present a more mature image. Gone are the blacked-out pillars and roof, replaced by body-color-matched panels. Kia also fitted the Stonic’s Base Line variant with new 16-inch alloy wheels, while the range-topping mild-hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) GT-Line gets the bigger 17-inch alloys.
The rear end, meanwhile, gets a new layout. This features a redesigned tailgate, complemented by new taillight signatures and a more streamlined bumper, resulting in a minimalist and refined presence.
Inside the new Stonic, Kia has made numerous updates. Firstly, the interior design is now premium-inspired, featuring a panoramic dual display – two 12.3-inch screens that serve as both the driver information display and the infotainment system. This is a welcome upgrade from the outgoing model’s 8-inch display. In place of traditional buttons are multi-function touch controls for seamless operation between climate and multimedia modes.
The driver gets a redesigned steering wheel, a reshaped gear knob, an upgraded dash, and a new center console. In addition, occupants who need to charge their devices can benefit from the new Kia Stonic’s USB-C fast charging ports and wireless smartphone charging.
As for safety, the new Kia Stonic improves with features such as a blind spot collision avoidance system with safe exit warning, as well as a forward collision avoidance assist version 1.5. Kia made it safer on the road with a navigation-based cruise control that adapts to cornering. and a highway driving assist with lane-follow assist for added peace of mind, especially during nighttime driving.
Under the hood, the new Kia Stonic features a 1.0-liter turbocharged engine and offers a choice between a 6-speed manual transmission and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The engine produces 100 hp and 172 Nm of torque. The GT-Line, being an MHEV, features an electric motor, which boosts power to 115 hp. Additionally, the GT-Line’s torque figure varies depending on the transmission option, as selecting the DCT increases it to 200 Nm.
In the Philippines, ACMobility, the official local distributor of Kia, introduced the first-generation Stonic in Q4 2020. With its 1.4-liter engine, a host of features, and an introductory price at the time of around P735,000, it performed well in the market as one of the most affordable choices, even as the COVID-19 pandemic surged during its first few years.
Despite the warm reception, the Stonic was replaced in 2024 by the Kia Sonet due to changing market demands and Kia Philippines’ brand positioning strategies at the time. The move worked for Kia Philippines as the Sonet is now its best-selling model, and has created a following among the local car community.
The Stonic, as the local car market knows it, is the same, but is different at the same time. With the global introduction of the refreshed model and the Sonet’s positive reception in the local market, will ACMobility reconsider bringing it back?
