Kia Stonic Review - Mild Hybrid 1 litre 3 cylinder turbo petrol

The Kia Stonic is a small crossover of similar size to the Nissan Juke and Seat Arona. The name is a combination of "speedy and tonic" which may be a little optimistic but what this car does represent is excellent value for money.
Car available at Underwoods Kia Colchester
Trim levels and prices correct on 30/10/2021:
Stonic '2'
From £18,900
- 16" Alloy Wheels
- 8" Touchscreen Display
- Apple CarPlay & Android Auto via Connectivity
- Air Conditioning
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) (City/Pedestrian/Cyclist)
- Roof Rails
- Rear Parking Sensors
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- Bi-function Projection Headlights with Static Bending
- Cruise Control & Speed Limiter
Stonic 'GT-Line'
From £21,450
- 17" GT-Line Alloy Wheels
- Black, Electric Folding Door Mirrors
- 8" Touchscreen Satellite Navigation featuring Kia Connect (UVO)
- Privacy Glass (Rear Windows & Tailgate)
- GT-Line Black Cloth and Faux Leather upholstery
- LED Headlights
- LED Front Fog Lights
- Alloy Pedals
- Reversing Camera
- Automatic Air Conditioning
Stonic 'Connect'
From £21,900
- 17" Alloy Wheels
- 8" Touchscreen Satellite Navigation featuring Kia Connect (UVO)
- Two-Tone Paint
- Roof Coloured, Electric folding Door Mirrors
- Privacy Glass (Rear Windows & Tailgate)
- LED Rear Combination lamps
- Smart Key With Engine Start Button
- Automatic Air Conditioning
- Rain Sensing Front Wipers
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) (City/Pedestrian/Cyclist)
Stonic 'GT-Line S'
From £22,950
- 17" GT Line Alloy Wheels
- 8" Touchscreen Satellite Navigation featuring Kia Connect (UVO)
- Two-tone Paint with Contrasting Roof Colour
- Heated Front Seats and Steering Wheel
- Smart Cruise Control (DCT Only)
- Smart Key with Engine Start/Stop
- LED Rear Combination Lamps
- Front Parking Sensors
- Blind Sport Collision Warning
- GT-Line Black Cloth and Faux Leather upholstery
00:00 What is it?
00:24 Engine and trims
01:28 Comfortable?
02:48 Space in the back
03:35 The boot
04:00 Interior
04:48 Driving
06:24 Hill start
07:00 Mild hybrid system
08:39 Economy
09:42 Warranty
10:11 Motorway driving
11:20 Outro

[@RichardFanders]

Unfortunately KZbin polls are no longer available in videos. Instead you can let me know how you think it looks in the comments.

[@paulmarsh1144]

Hi Richard just wanted your opinion on the KIA Stonic automatic 1litre gti Do you think it would be good for driving instructor use?

[@paulrainiercua8924]

Stonic = stylish + iconic

[@artemkatelnytskyi]

Good job for experimenting with the format a bit. The first part with the interior review felt more like a traditional, old school car test. Keep these coming.

[@ishiro-4705]

Thanks Rich! I was just thinking about getting this and now I'm certain it's the right option for me

[@spursman3998]

Excellent review set in the real world. I found this to be very helpful. Cheers.

[@awdawd4]

Nice! I'm ready to order 1.0t 100ps gt line mild hybrid manual transmission version! Pretty excited

[@kieranclarke7804]

Thank you Richard for a great review. I test drove this exact car today! Spooky or what? Thinking of going auto and this car seems great except for the coasting/sailing that you mentioned. Might buy it anyway but thanks for pointing it out to me in advance. Kieran from DVDS

[@RichardFanders]

That is spooky! It is a good car overall but the unpredictable level of engine braking which can vary from gentle braking to no slowing down at all and the difficulty creeping at low speeds would put me off for a learner car. I think it's ok for experienced drivers who don't take long to park but difficult for learners. I recommend test driving the latest Mazdas, easiest cars I've driven by far. I have a review on the Mazda 2 which will be available in a couple of weeks. They rev match on upshifts making changing gear very easy, easiest brakes I've used also. I haven't tried an auto yet though. Also, you can get the lights you can leave on full beam and they only dim the cars, you can actually see the dark area follow the cars whilst the areas without cars stays bright, makes driving at night safer and easier.

[@neilingleson2626]

IV just got this exact model, really happy with it. Don't worry about the sailing mode it's nothing special, pretty pointless really the car starts to slow down and that's it.

[@stevemartyn203]

Thanks. I'm going to buy one

[@bluerain7766]

I've just brought the stonic 2 ... 4 months until delivery !!!! 😮 But I believe it will be worth the wait 😃

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

The Stonic is basically a taller and more expensive Rio. I see the point of subcompact or compact crossovers as an updated hatch, which are £4,000 more than a normal hatchback.

[@mrmcclung]

As I understand it when taking the foot off the accelerator it goes into coast mode.. but if needing to brake, you immediately cover the brake pedal & apply slite/lite pressure (slowly increasing) it will regen break which slows down vehicle... if applying firm brake, you get the mechanical brakes (normal) & skip the regen... best advice I got was "to pretend there is a jelly doughnut between your foot & the brake pedal" a different way of thinking/reacting & when able to do longer slowing stops it will put more back in battery (better MPG) & bonus your brake pads will last 2-3x longer using elec motor to stop & mechanical only for immediate... my C-max had a regen brake tutorial that would tell you the % you restored at each complete stop (on dash, not verbal) Stay Safe and God Bless -Mike (Oregon)

[@Kevhuman]

The GT-line S does gave tourque vectoring as standard and i am told it significantly improves the handling and driving experience.

[@Martin-yv3cz]

I have the GT-Line ❤ and I think it really is an Incredible Car

[@davidwendelrobinson]

Helpful review, even though I am in the Philppines market.

[@BillCameronWC]

A very interesting and practical review - thanks. In fact I ordered a Stonic (GT-Line S trim 6-speed manual) a few weeks ago, for June delivery (16 weeks), although the version I had a test-drive in was the Connect, also manual, but the specs are pretty similar to what I shall be getting. I quite like it and am looking forward to getting it - it won’t make any sparks fly, but I’ve never been that kind of driver even in my younger years. I’ve downsized vehicles over the years, but I think this will suit my current needs

[@BillCameronWC]

About a month ago I was contacted by my Kia dealer to advise that delivery of my Stonic would be delayed by about a further month (mid-July instead of early- mid-June), apparently because of a continuing shortage of chips. I’m a little disappointed and have already suggested I would almost prefer a further shortish delay until September so I could get it under a 72 registration rather than a 22 plate. No doubt first world problems, but it is a little frustrating all the same.

[@kopman70]

@@BillCameronWC unlucky. How about go for a £1k discount and grab a private plate instead.

[@BillCameronWC]

@@kopman70 The original delivery date has been reinstated, as it seems Kia have been able to meet their original schedule 👍 - I will pick up my new car next week. I never have had a personalised number plate and whilst I know many people who do, I’ve always considered it faintly ridiculous. Have a great weekend 😀.

[@BillCameronWC]

I took delivery of my new Kia Stonic GT Line S on 23rd June and am so far happy with it. I mostly drive it in ‘Normal’ mode and usually switch off the Lane Keep Assist., and am getting used to making these adjustments from the default ‘Eco’ & active Lane Keep Assist most times I start the car, but sometimes I forget. I’ll be taking it on its first foreign excursion in September to the Netherlands and believe that for the two of us travelling there will be adequate boot luggage space for our roughly 10-day trip. It has adequate speed and acceleration profiles for my needs and I find it quite comfortable once I adjusted my driving position to suit me. Rear seat space seems OK, even for medium-long journeys, although the occasions when I carry rear passengers are infrequent. I have tended to keep cars for 2-4 years, but think I will probably keep this for at least 4 years, specially as in recent years my annual mileage has reduced considerably with only occasional longer journeys. The 3-year care plan I bought at time of purchase will assure me of care-free driving, not to mention the 7-year warranty gives additional peace of mind.

[@chef717717]

How long did it take from ordering your kia to delivery . I'm 2 months in an still don't have a vin or build date

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

At some point you should review the Nissan Kaškaj.

[@adam-xt8te]

I wish youtube had 'flip video horizontally' option and most of people could watch this review with the steering wheel on the 'proper' side

[@djdelarosa25]

How American

[@hungleba3996]

2:29 Richard man yeeted himself down the seat real quick there xD

[@jaydenfuller7699]

Thanks, interesting

[@paulmarsh1144]

Hi Richard hope you’re doing well. Do you think the Kia stonic automatic 1 litre gti is a decent car for driving instructor use,just wanted your opinion please.

[@nelidadelino4834]

excellent car i wish come true 😃

[@njuham]

If you've ever seen the film Rita Sue & Bob too then you'll know why people would like to lean back so quickly...

[@tricia_and_chrisholman965]

Bought one of these in September (GT-line S Auto) and really impressed, but we NEVER drive it in Eco. Partly that’s because it feels sluggish, but mainly the unpredictability- will it go into Sailing or Re-Gen? It’s become routine now to tap the Drive Mode button (in front of the gear-lever - did you even see it?) to go into Normal, then it uses Re-Gen all the time and that makes it really relaxing to drive. The adaptive cruise on the top model works really well (and does show the set speed), as does the lane guidance system - which is much less intrusive than the default ‘lane keep assist’ (like Eco, we switch it off every time). Incidentally, you can revert to non-adaptive cruise by holding down the separation-distance button. Other than that, my only real complaint is that road noise levels are quite high - apparently that can be addressed with different tyres, but I’ll live with it. A good, fair review but you really should address the Drive Mode.

[@RichardFanders]

Thank you, I didn't notice the drive mode button.

[@tricia_and_chrisholman965]

@@RichardFanders I should have added - I like your review style, and it’s hardly your fault that this car starts in Eco every damned time! One other thing - mine consistently reads 5mph over GPS speed, so I’m not sure how trustworthy the mpg figures are. What I can say is that Eco doesn’t make a blind bit of difference! (As for Sport, great fun, virtually no lag, but it really shows up the lack of traction from a standing start).

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

Such a shame this is not available with AWD like the Seltos overseas.

[@RusNad]

Would the car also coast at 0 rpm in the manual version? I feel like it'd be a bit counterintuitive and you'd have to change gear based on speed instead of noise/rpm. But I respect them for making a manual hybrid in the first place.

[@RichardFanders]

Yes, I believe the manual does it too. It has a drive by wire clutch.

[@bandokaysauntie8666]

I had a Golf Bluemotion with this engine cutting out stuff. It was terrible and jerky, it was constantly going on and off wearing out the starter. It caused the car to break in the end. Also I thought the coasting would be against the Highway Code?

[@RichardFanders]

Some stop start systems, particularly mild hybrid systems are smooth and near silent when they stop start. They don't use the starter more for this but the alternator which is also a motor.

[@artemkatelnytskyi]

2:26 But can you do this?!! Please, somebody tell me you get this reference 😂

[@peerooanas6366]

review a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

[@fenegroni]

Did you do the performance tests all on ECO? You do know in Normal and Sport mode the battery pack is used to fill in the turbo nicely? But you do need to charge that battery up first by driving more in ECO first and not use the ISG as much. Basically if you drive the car for more than a few hours, you really get to understand how it works. Had it for 3 months now and performs really well and in Sport mode is more than perky enough for quick overtakes. Being a simracer, the steering wheel is pretty much in line with what one would expect from a Force Feedback wheel. When you say you got in the 60s to the gallon in the mazda 1.5 non-turbo? Was that combined town and motorway? I get 60mph motorway from the Stonic, and driving economically I can average 54mpg combined The cruise control is Adaptive, which means it will keep a distance from the car in front: if on the uphill the car in front slows down a bit, you will too.

[@RichardFanders]

I have to say I didn't notice any driving modes on this car.

[@fenegroni]

@@RichardFanders as in you didn’t even press the button that changes the driving mode? Or you didn’t notice any energie flow from battery to motor?

[@evehosgood]

I’m stuck between this Kia stonic and the Citroen C3 for my first car, both have similar spec but I think the Kia is possibly the more reliable? I’m getting an automatic

[@bluerain7766]

I ordered the stonic 2 auto in black... 4 months until delivery tho

[@CRiZLA]

Turn the A/C off... You should get more power and better fuel consumption

[@Will._.184]

I would say that the 0-60 was quit good for a kia

[@bluerain7766]

The actual meaning of the word STONIC is - "stylish" and "iconic" Not speedy and tomic

[@towerguarder]

wow im surprised its dual clutch and not cvt

[@smgjreinieren]

Kia stonic or vw t-roc?

[@Bip48]

The wife and i had a car each me a Jaguar F Pace and the wife a Citroen 3 but the Jag became redundant after i gave up Transporting Animals around the country so we decided to have the one car i would sell the Jag and we would part exchange the wife's Citroen for a Stonic GT Line Mild Hybred. We bought the Stonic several months ago we are very happy with our purchase the car had done 13000 but we love it......

[@brianiswrong]

The backrest adjustment lever in our kia is my biggest dislike, just give me a wheel so i can adjust it perfectly while driving.

[@justinbuckley]

May wanna blur the media screen around 7:05 due to the address shown

[@RichardFanders]

Thank you for pointing that out, it's not my address it must be a house I would have been parked outside of for a few moments.

[@copperore1346]

There is something really strange about seeing a car driving with the rev counter on zero.

[@RichardFanders]

I know, I found it strange the first few times also.

[@iulianirimia611]

Do mazda cx 30, better engine

[@RichardFanders]

I prefer how Mazda's drive. But they do lack torque.

[@johnhall4917]

49mpg ☹ My 2013 Corsa gets that from a 1400cc petrol engine.

[@RichardFanders]

This engine does have a lot of torque compared to an NA 1.4 though making it feel significantly faster.

[@Danielagostinho21]

7:05 I imediatly remembered this scene kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGGUYaZ9iNd3bpo

[@bensharp2499]

The seats go down to go down

[@kennymeyer2667]

Please contact

[@SilentTrip]

Kia stoned