2018 Kia Stonic 1.0 T-GDI Review – Video

Kia says it’s deliberately styled it to appeal to everyone, unlike the love-it-or-hate-it look of the Nissan Juke. With contrasting roof options and a choice of 17in wheels or, erm, 17in wheels, the firm intends UK cars to appear highly specified, with significant road presence. Not unlike the Juke in some respects, then.

Despite Kia’s effort to push upmarket, there’s not a huge amount of soft-touch material. It feels far more solid inside than the Suzuki Vitara, if lacking some of its quirky charm. And it’s £600 cheaper than the Juke and has superior interior materials. Save for the large 7.0in touchscreen, the 2 trim makes the car’s interior feel more stoic than Stonic; somewhat at odds with Kia’s youthful presentation of the car.

The back seats could use a little more room; a hallmark of the chunky-wheeled, high-riding segment. But, at this stage, there doesn’t appear to be any less room compared with the average supermini. Head room is sufficient and the car feels wider inside than its supermini roots would suggest.

 

 

Being slapped onto the Rio platform with little more than higher suspension and added length isn’t without its merits; the Rio is a reasonably decent-handling car and the Stonic matches its precise steering, in addition to its slight numbness. The ride of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder is informatively firm but not overly so. It’s just a shame about the excess jiggle in the slightly harder-riding 1.6-litre diesel we also drove.

The ride is a little stiff, so although it settles at higher speeds, it’s fidgety up to around 50mph; every change in road surface, crease and bump is detectable, but not to the extent where it’s uncomfortable. Those mainly driving around town won’t appreciate the stiffness of the diesel, but the 1.0-litre three-cylinder is more suited to urban pootling anyway. There’s little in the way of body roll, which is a pleasant surprise, although the seats aren’t the last word in supportiveness.