Super Stonic latest Kia
BABY crossovers are big news at the moment. This sector of the new car market is expected to double in size across Europe in the next four years as buyers eye higher and more stylish models. So it’s no surprise that a whole series of new models from the likes of VW, Citroën, Hyundai and Seat are about to join the party.
The first of these new entrants is Kia which has decided that the time is right to add the Stonic to its line-up to sit below its incredibly successful Sportage.
The new Stonic is based on Kia’s Rio hatchback but with greater ground clearance and a sportier design aimed primarily at a younger market.
New car buyers are deserting three-door hatchbacks and small people-carriers in particular as they flock to baby SUVs. According to Kia, it’s also the only new car segment where styling is the primary buying decision.
The Stonic has the potential to be Kia’s second most-important model in the UK, behind the Sportage and ahead of the Picanto and Rio small hatchbacks, which makes it a big deal for the Korean brand that says it is on course to be the only car manufacturer to grow its European sales for the seventh year in a row at the end of 2017.
The Stonic clearly shares a look with its Rio supermini sibling and from the front in particular has the appearance of a slightly raised hatchback rather than a full SUV.
The extra ground clearance is an obvious differentiator though, as is a big rear bumper complete with skid plate, plus the lower air intake on the front. Kia has gone for a sporty look, keeping the roofline as low as possible and limiting the front and rear overhangs to avoid the more unwieldy look and feel of some higher-riding rivals.
Rugged plastic roof rails complete the look for a car trying to project an adventurous lifestyle image. Personalisation is also seen as important in this sector and on the higher spec of the two trim levels – called First Edition – a contrasting roof colour and wing mirrors can be ordered – a black roof on the white, brown, red or yellow cars; a red roof on black cars; graphite cars come with a