MOTORING


Is the Kia’s Stonic just the tonic?


One of Kia’s latest editions to the range is the smallest SUV they produce, and it’s called the Stonic. Motoring journalist Nick Jones has been out to give it a spin.


The Stonic has front-wheel-drive only, so you may not want to climb the notoriously steep hill towards Matlock from Chesterfield in the snow without a grit box. It does, however, have an underlying ruggedness to it, which makes it more attractive. Maybe it’s the plastic trim that follows the car front to back and around the wheel arches, or is it the roof rails? Whatever you think, it’s a stylish piece of kit. Engine choice is down to


personal preference. Pick of the range for me is the 1.0-litre petrol. I’m sure you’re wondering why, with such a small displacement? Well, it has a turbocharger fitted, and it boasts a stunning 118 horsepower, which for a small SUV sounds a great match-up. Not only that, it’s a little fizz of an engine with lots of mid-range


100 business network March 2020


‘Engine choice is down to personal preference. Pick of the range for me is the 1.0-litre petrol’


urge and, certainly once the revs rise further, has the ability to not only sound the part, but deliver with enough gusto to make overtaking quite safe; it does bring a smile to your face, that I can guarantee. If you’re hankering after a diesel,


the 1.6-litre is an option but in this class, once a road test in the 1.0- litre booster engine has concluded, it won’t make sense. I must say also, the 1.0-litre T-GDi - as it’s known - can return upwards of 45 to the gallon, and its emission figure of 115g/km seems to be in the right ballpark. Below 50 may seem not very


rewarding, but the fact it pulls a car - despite being small - of this


nature along and with all that ‘zip’ it produces along the way it is well worthy of perhaps being five miles per gallon worse-off than the diesel. Internally, it’s typical Kia with a


price-reflecting array of materials, and the driving position is fine - better still, with the positioning of buttons, switches and controls, the Stonic really shines. Plenty of head and leg room too


and I love the front sliding centre armrest - others should take note. Choose your trim level wisely, as price will fluctuate accordingly - but one thing is for sure, starting from £17,775 there will be one suited to you. Just the tonic…sorry, Stonic.


FACTFILE


MODEL Kia Stonic 1.0-litre petrol


PRICE OTR From £17,775


PERFORMANCE Top speed: 110mph+ 0-60 mph: 9 seconds


CO2 EMISSIONS 115g/km


COMBINED MPG 44.2


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