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Cars > Peek

There is a lot to like about the cute Kia Stonic

Not least of which is the car’s suggested retail price

The EX variant looks particularly stylish with those LED running light strips. PHOTO FROM KIA

The Kia Stonic is the latest entry into a market teeming with crossovers of all shapes and sizes. Slotting beneath the Seltos in terms of size, the Stonic is charging into subcompact-car territory with its attractive pricing and standard equipment list. But don’t let the car’s small size fool you. The Stonic may have cozy dimensions, but there is plenty to love about this cute Korean runabout.

This yellow paint job is the car's signature color. PHOTO FROM KIA

The Stonic is 4,100mm-long, 1,735mm-wide, and 1,532mm-high – making it almost identical to the Rio as far as external dimensions are concerned. But the 2,570mm-wheelbase should make the cabin a spacious one even for tall passengers. And speaking of space, the Stonic has 325L of luggage capacity which can be further increased by folding the 60:40-split rear seats flat.

Tech-savvy buyers will be extremely happy to know that all Stonic variants come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless phone integration. The eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system sings through six speakers so Spotify tunes are as clear and crisp as they can be. The top-end EX grade also comes with a push-to-start button and automatic climate control.

We wish Apple CarPlay and Android Auto would become standard equipment in all cars. PHOTOS FROM KIA

All Stonics are powered by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Power outputs differ for each gearbox: 94hp for the stick shift and 99hp for the slush box. Torque figure is identical though, with the 132Nm of twist more than adequate to propel the compact and lightweight body.

Kia is particularly proud of the fact that the Stonic’s ground clearance is 185mm which makes it a better alternative to low-slung sedans and hatchbacks when the weather turns nasty. All variants come with a reverse parking camera while the range-topping EX are equipped with parking sensors, stability control, and hill start assist.

With its affordable price and Kia extensive network of over 30 dealerships nationwide, the Stonic should be a hit. PHOTO FROM KIA

Prices for the Stonic are as follows:

  • 1.4 LX 5MT – P735,000
  • 1.4 LX 6AT – P835,000
  • 1.4 EX 6AT – P925,000

Kia is currently offering a pre-launch discount for the Stonic. Customers who place reservations before October 15 this year can get as much as P60,000 off on the LX manual and P50,000 off on the LX and EX automatic. All cars are covered by a five-year (or 160,000km) warranty.



Miggi Solidum

Professionally speaking, Miggi is a software engineering dude who happens to like cars a lot. And as an automotive enthusiast, he wants a platform from which he can share his motoring thoughts with fellow petrolheads. He pens the column ‘G-Force’.



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