Kia Stonic is ready to battle subcompact crossovers, but is it coming here?
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A week after the debut of the Hyundai Kona, sister company Kia took the wraps off the all-new Stonic subcompact SUV, which will go on sale in Europe by the end of the year. (The name, in case you’re wondering, is a mashup of “Speedy” and “Tonic,” which was not our very first, 2nd or seventh guess).
Featuring the latest brand design themes and a rakish rear hatch, the Stonic demonstrated off its two-tone paint scheme (suggested in a choice of twenty combinations) and a lineup of very petite engines ranging in displacement from a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder to 1.4-liter naturally aspirated four, in addition to a 1.6-liter diesel. The design itself departs a fair bit from its Kona sibling, which arguably took a more adventurous route, and it strikes a good balance inbetween modern looks, brand recognition and utility, suggesting a modern-looking interior with a floating infotainment screen.
Despite the budget-minded engines, the Stonic will go intense on tech, suggesting Android Auto and Apple Car Play as standard items, in addition to available driver assistance systems such as autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, lane-departure warning, forward collision alert, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Stonic will suggest little engines, commencing with a three-cylinder 1.0-liter unit in Europe.
Car News
Meet the two thousand eighteen Hyundai Kona: Better late than never to the subcompact SUV party
One thing everybody at the two thousand eighteen Hyundai Kona global debut seemed to be absolutely clear about was that this little subcompact SUV is a Very Big Deal indeed for the Korean automaker. Having wooed .
“The Kia Stonic will be one of the most compelling fresh cars in this rapidly expanding class, backed by Kia`s unique warranty, and the brand`s reputation for reliability, quality and contemporary design,» said Kia Motors Europe boss Michael Cole. “As the segment expands, the Stonic looks set to become one of our best-selling cars.”
Kia has not confirmed if the Stonic for the U.S., as it intrudes upon the Soul’s spot in the lineup, but Kia’s treatment to packing out segments has usually been “the more the merrier.” At the very least, we’ll see the Hyundai Kona in the States, which will battle the likes of the Fiat 500X, Chevrolet Trax and the Toyota C-HR, among others. We’ll likely have to wait until the Frankfurt motor showcase this fall to find out whether the Stonic is headed to North America, but it’s clear that both companies need as many fresh vehicles as possible amid slowing sales and a lineup that hasn’t responded rapid enough to switches in consumer tastes.
Car Reviews
2017 Kia Soul ! review: Warmer, but still not a hot hatch
Even with a turbocharged motor and two hundred one hp, this car feels like a slug to me. I knew it was turbocharged before I got in, but on the throttle there`s no turbo whistle to speak of and not much .
Jay Ramey – Jay Ramey is an Associate Editor with Autoweek, and has been with the magazine since 2013. Jay also likes to kayak and bike.
Kia Stonic subcompact B-segment crossover debuts
Kia Stonic is ready to battle subcompact crossovers, but is it coming here?
Share
A week after the debut of the Hyundai Kona, sister company Kia took the wraps off the all-new Stonic subcompact SUV, which will go on sale in Europe by the end of the year. (The name, in case you’re wondering, is a mashup of “Speedy” and “Tonic,” which was not our very first, 2nd or seventh guess).
Featuring the latest brand design themes and a rakish rear hatch, the Stonic displayed off its two-tone paint scheme (suggested in a choice of twenty combinations) and a lineup of very puny engines ranging in displacement from a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder to 1.4-liter naturally aspirated four, in addition to a 1.6-liter diesel. The design itself departs a fair bit from its Kona sibling, which arguably took a more adventurous route, and it strikes a good balance inbetween modern looks, brand recognition and utility, suggesting a modern-looking interior with a floating infotainment screen.
Despite the budget-minded engines, the Stonic will go intense on tech, suggesting Android Auto and Apple Car Play as standard items, in addition to available driver assistance systems such as autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, lane-departure warning, forward collision alert, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Stonic will suggest little engines, beginning with a three-cylinder 1.0-liter unit in Europe.
Car News
Meet the two thousand eighteen Hyundai Kona: Better late than never to the subcompact SUV party
One thing everybody at the two thousand eighteen Hyundai Kona global debut seemed to be absolutely clear about was that this little subcompact SUV is a Very Big Deal indeed for the Korean automaker. Having persuaded .
“The Kia Stonic will be one of the most compelling fresh cars in this rapidly expanding class, backed by Kia`s unique warranty, and the brand`s reputation for reliability, quality and contemporary design,» said Kia Motors Europe boss Michael Cole. “As the segment expands, the Stonic looks set to become one of our best-selling cars.”
Kia has not confirmed if the Stonic for the U.S., as it intrudes upon the Soul’s spot in the lineup, but Kia’s treatment to packing out segments has usually been “the more the merrier.” At the very least, we’ll see the Hyundai Kona in the States, which will battle the likes of the Fiat 500X, Chevrolet Trax and the Toyota C-HR, among others. We’ll likely have to wait until the Frankfurt motor demonstrate this fall to find out whether the Stonic is headed to North America, but it’s clear that both companies need as many fresh vehicles as possible amid slowing sales and a lineup that hasn’t responded quick enough to switches in consumer tastes.
Car Reviews
2017 Kia Soul ! review: Warmer, but still not a hot hatch
Even with a turbocharged motor and two hundred one hp, this car feels like a slug to me. I knew it was turbocharged before I got in, but on the throttle there`s no turbo whistle to speak of and not much .
Jay Ramey – Jay Ramey is an Associate Editor with Autoweek, and has been with the magazine since 2013. Jay also likes to kayak and bike.