Kia Stonic Gets a Sharper Suit but Remains the Same at Heart
Kia has unveiled the refreshed Stonic, its compact crossover that continues to position itself as the “smart” and “bold” choice in the B-segment. Despite marketing promises of “upper-class” comfort and technology, the update is a measured facelift rather than a revolution.
The new Stonic follows Kia’s poetically named “Opposites United” design language, bringing crisper lines, fresh grille accents and a revised lighting signature. The car has grown by 25 millimetres, not from an extended wheelbase but thanks to re-sculpted bumpers. At the rear, there is a new tailgate, redesigned light clusters and a cleaner bumper shape. Two new paint colours join the palette, and the GT-Line trim now wears 17-inch alloys.
The engine lineup holds no surprises. The familiar 1.0-litre T-GDI remains the backbone, offered with 100 hp in petrol form or as a 115 hp mild hybrid. Both versions can be paired with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The result is a textbook transition model: electrified just enough to look greener on paper while remaining far from a fully electric future.
Inside, Kia proclaims a major leap with the integration of two 12.3-inch displays into one “panoramic” digital experience. In practice, it also means climate controls have migrated to the touchscreen, with convenience left to personal judgement. A new steering wheel design, a reworked centre console and ambient lighting amount to more cosmetic tweaks than a substantive overhaul.
Kia is keen to highlight that the Stonic can now be fitted with the full suite of ADAS technologies, including collision avoidance assists, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and even semi-autonomous highway driving. A digital key function, allowing owners to unlock and start the car with a smartphone, also joins the options list.
The updated Kia Stonic is a carefully refreshed take on a familiar formula: a slightly sharper look, larger screens and a handful of premium safety gadgets. The powertrain range is unchanged, and its market position remains intact. It is still the small crossover that sells well precisely because it does not try to be anything more than an affordable compromise.
