First Drive: Kia Stonic is an affordable, if unexciting, compact crossover

What is it?

The compact SUV market is hot property at the moment, and it would seem that every auto manufacturer under the sun has worked itself into a frenzy to stake their claim in the increasingly popular segment.

There’s been the Seat Arona, the Hyundai Kona, the Volkswagen T-Roc and now this, the new Kia Stonic.

Based on the same platform as the Rio supermini, the Stonic represents the South Korean manufacturer’s hopes and dreams of cashing in on this lucrative part of the market, combining handsome looks with funky colours, solid build quality and attractive prices.

What’s new?

While this is a new sector for Kia, and indeed a brand new car, we’ve already seen much of the Stonic before. As mentioned previously it shares its platform with the Rio supermini, and also features the same 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet.

Where buyers will find the Stonic a more appealing proposition, at least in Kia’s mind, is through the added passenger and luggage space, as well as the greater sense of security that higher-riding cars seem to bring.

What’s under the bonnet?

Our test car was fitted with the top-of-the-line 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. This three-cylinder unit develops a modest 118bhp and 171Nm, which allows the Stonic to complete the benchmark dash from 0-60mph in 9.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 115mph. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

Economy is fairly respectable too, with Kia quoting a fuel consumption figure of 56.5mpg on the combined cycle, while CO2 emissions stand at 115g/km.

What’s it like to drive?

Similar to the smaller Rio, the Stonic is an incredibly easy car to drive. The pedals are well-weighted, and the six-speed gearbox has an assertive action to it – even if the throw is slightly too long for our liking. The steering provides a decent amount of feedback, and makes low-speed manoeuvres a doddle – which is certainly a good thing when you consider the fact the Stonic will likely spend most of its time being driven in city centres.

Handling-wise, it does leave you wanting somewhat. It’s by no means terrible, but the taller stature means there is a considerable amount of lean through the bends, and the seats don’t provide much in the way of lateral support, either. The front wheels have a tendency to wash out if you really press into a sharp bend, too.

At cruising speeds, the Stonic is capable enough, but it didn’t blow us away with its abilities. There was a noticeable amount of tyre roar that made its way into the cabin, and a slightly awkward driving position meant travelling long-distances would become tiring in time – although this may be specific to us.

How does it look?

That all depends on what colour you opt for. Our test model was the flagship Launch Edition model, which featured a jazzy two-tone grey and lime green paint job. In this specification, the Stonic looked really quite smart, and certainly resemble the cheap and cheerful sort of car Kia was known for years ago.

However, next to the likes of the new Hyundai Kona and Citroen C3 Aircross, the Stonic will stuggle to stand out. But then again, if flying under the radar is more your thing, then you’ll likely find the Kia’s unpretentious exterior a strong draw.

What’s it like inside?

The cabin is one area where we were slightly let down by the Stonic. There are cheap, scratchy plastics all over the place, which may be good at standing up to the rough and tumble of family life, but don’t do the Stonic any favours on the aesthetic front.

Passenger space is also on the tight side. While there is a good amount of headroom in the rear seats for an average-sized adult, knee-room is practically non-existent. Boot space stands at 352 litres, making it slightly more spacious than the Hyundai Kona, and smaller than the Seat Arona’s 400-litre luggage compartment.

What’s the spec like?

The £19,695 First Edition car we put to the test came equipped with all the bells and whistles as standard. This included satellite navigation, smartphone connectivity through Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keyless entry and heated front seats to name but a few.

There’s also a bevy of safety systems to give you added peace of mind, with autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist fitted as standard.

As an added bonus, the Stonic is also covered by Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, which is transferable if the car is sold before the time or mileage limit expires.

Verdict

Our feelings towards the Kia Stonic are a bit mixed. On the one hand, it’s a competent, easy-to-drive compact crossover that will be able to handle the demands of the average urban family well. If we were to be cynical, though, it does feel like it’s been built purely to cash in on a lucrative market, and is a bit devoid of character as a result.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Model: Kia Stonic First Edition 1.0 T-GDi
Price as tested: £19,695
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol
Power (bhp): 118
Torque (Nm): 171
Max speed (mph): 115
0-60mph: 9.9 seconds
MPG (combined): 56.5
Emissions (g/km): 115