NEW CAR ROAD TEST: KIA STONIC

Kia has entered the market for small Juke-style compact Crossover SUVs with this model, the Stonic.

It showcases the brand’s fresh, more charismatic styling approach and offers buyers a highly personalisable choice.

Buyers have the choice of the brand’s lightweight 118bhp 1.0-litre T-GDI turbo petrol unit, as well as the older-tech but cheaper 98bhp 1.4-litre naturally-aspirated MPI petrol engine.

An efficient 108bhp 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine completes the range, offering the lowest emissions in the line-up. The car’s European-tuned steering and suspension are designed to offer the kind of fun responses buyers are now expecting from small SUVs these days.

The stiff bodyshell should help here, this having allowed the development team to introduce a more compliant suspension system.

This is one of the most striking Kia models we’ve seen to date, though the shape incorporates several of the brand’s key recognisable signature design elements, such as the ‘tiger-nose’ grille.

The brand knows that individuality is important to many customers in the B-SUV segment and the Stonic’s ‘Targastyle’ roof enables buyers to choose a two-tone paint finish.

Stonic pricing starts at just over £16,000 with up to 20 colour combinations available.

Expect this 118bhp unit to manage over 55mpg on the combined cycle and under 110g/km of CO2, while on all models, Kia’s ISG engine stop/ start system is standard.

Kia has produced an impressively complete B-SUV contender here.