Kia Stonic

Today we will take a look at Kia Stonic, a topic that has captured the attention of millions of people around the world. Since its emergence, Kia Stonic has had a significant impact on different aspects of society, provoking debates, controversies and significant changes. Over the years, Kia Stonic has evolved and adapted to changing circumstances, maintaining its relevance in different spheres of life. In this article, we will explore the history, impact and future of Kia Stonic, looking at how it has shaped and will continue to shape the world we live in.

Not to be confused with Kia Tonic.
Kia Stonic
Overview
ManufacturerKia Corporation
Model codeYB CUV[1]
Also calledKia KX1 (China)[2]
Production2017–present
AssemblySouth Korea: Gwangmyeong (Sohari Plant, 2017–2023); Seosan (Donghee, 2023–present)[3]
China: Yancheng (Yueda Kia)
Pakistan: Karachi (Lucky Motor Corporation)
DesignerPeter Schreyer
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact crossover SUV (B)[4]
Body style5-door SUV
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
PlatformHyundai-Kia GB
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Hybrid drivetrainMild Hybrid (EcoDynamics+)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,580 mm (101.6 in)
2,570 mm (101.2 in) (China)
Length4,100–4,140 mm (161.4–163.0 in)
Width1,760 mm (69.3 in)[6]
1,735 mm (68.3 in) (China)
Height1,520 mm (59.8 in)
1,533 mm (60.4 in) (China)
Curb weight1,060–1,104 kg (2,337–2,434 lb) (China)
Chronology
SuccessorKia Sonet (China/Philippines)[7][8][9]

The Kia Stonic (Korean: 기아 스토닉, romanized: Gia Seutonik) is a subcompact crossover SUV (B-segment) manufactured by Kia Motors. Its name is derived from the words "speedy" and "tonic".[10] The Stonic debuted in Frankfurt on 20 June 2017 and in South Korea on 13 July 2017, and was released in the fourth quarter of 2017.[10][5][11] It is marketed as the Kia KX1 in China.

Overview

The Kia Stonic made its debut at the 2017 International Motor Show Germany. It is the smallest in Kia's SUV lineup, below the Niro, Sportage, and Sorento. The Stonic shares its platform and interior with the fourth generation Kia Rio.[4][5]

The Stonic is offered with a choice of four engines: a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine, a 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine,[12] and a 1.6-litre CRDi four-cylinder diesel engine.[13] In 2020, the 1.6 diesel got a 48 volt mild hybrid addition, called the 'EcoDynamics+'.[14]

The Stonic was discontinued in South Korea in September 2020 due to sluggish sales.[15]

The facelifted model of the Stonic has been assembled and sold in Pakistan since November 2021.[16] It is offered it two variants: EX and EX+. Both variants come with the 1.4-litre Kappa II MPI I4 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission.[17]

In 2023, Kia moved production of the Stonic from Gwangmyeong to the Seosan plant operated by Donghee, as the Gwangmyeong plant was being retooled for EV production.[3]

  • 2017 Kia Stonic (pre-facelift)
    2017 Kia Stonic (pre-facelift)
  • Interior
    Interior
  • 2020 Kia Stonic (facelift)
    2020 Kia Stonic (facelift)
  • 2021 facelift with new badging
    2021 facelift with new badging
  • 2021 facelift with new badging
    2021 facelift with new badging
  • GT-Line (2021-present)
    GT-Line (2021-present)

Kia KX1

The Kia KX1 is the variant built by the Yueda Kia joint venture for the Chinese market. Despite the high resemblance between the KX1 and the Stonic, the KX1 was slightly restyled for the Chinese market, featuring a modified hood, redesigned bumpers, improved DRL, and a circular fuel tank cap. In addition, the KX1 uses a completely different dashboard design. Compared to the international model, the Chinese-made version is marginally shorter, with a full body length of 4,100 mm instead of 4,140 mm, and round fog lamps instead of boomerang-shaped LED lights.[18] It lacks AEB, blind zone monitoring and cruise control compared to the Korean-made version.[19]

The KX1 is powered by a single 1.4-litre petrol engine producing 100 hp. The transmission is either 6-speed manual transmission, or a six-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, the top of the trim KX1 receives advanced multimedia, climate control, video surveillance cameras and a sports aerodynamic body kit.[20]

The Chinese-made KX1 has been exported to the Philippines under the Stonic nameplate in October 2020.[21] In July 2021, Kia Philippines gifted female weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz a Stonic as a reward for winning the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[22][23] The Stonic was replaced by the Kia Sonet in June 2024.[8][9]

  • Kia KX1 (China)
    Kia KX1 (China)
  • Kia KX1 (China)
    Kia KX1 (China)
  • Kia KX1 1.4 litre petrol engine
    Kia KX1 1.4 litre petrol engine
  • Kia KX1 interior
    Kia KX1 interior

Safety

Euro NCAP

Euro NCAP test results for a LHD, 5-door hatchback variant with standard equipment on a 2017 registration:

Euro NCAP test results
Kia Stonic w/ standard equipment (2017)[24]
Test Points %
Overall:
Adult occupant: 32.5 85%
Child occupant: 41.2 84%
Pedestrian: 26 62%
Safety assist: 3 25%

Euro NCAP test results for a LHD, 5-door hatchback variant with optional safety pack on a 2017 registration:

Euro NCAP test results
Kia Stonic w/ optional safety pack (2017)[25]
Test Points %
Overall:
Adult occupant: 35.5 93%
Child occupant: 41.2 84%
Pedestrian: 29.8 71%
Safety assist: 7.1 59%

Awards

The Stonic won the iF product design award in the "Transportation Design" category [26] and the Red Dot award in the "Car Design" category in 2018.[27]

Sales

Year Europe[i][28] China[29] South Korea[28]
2017 11,747 9,133
2018 55,742 20,626 16,305
2019 66,749 35,618 8,276
2020 51,322 20,145 4,171
2021 58,425 18,332 348
2022 55,161 13,150
2023 58,116 9,380[30]
2024 57,867 7,729[31]

Notes

  1. ^ Includes EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

References

  1. ^ "Rio / Stonic (YB / YB CUV)" (PDF). Kia. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
  2. ^ "Kia KX1". Yueda Kia. Archived from the original on 2018-08-14. Retrieved 2018-10-09.
  3. ^ a b "Kia to suspend one domestic plant in South Korea for EV preparations". The Times of India. 2023-06-01. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  4. ^ a b c d Ingram, Richard (2017-06-20). "All-new Kia Stonic revealed for B-Segment SUV assault". Auto Express. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  5. ^ a b c d Goodlad, Tom (2017-06-20). "Stonic boom: new Kia Stonic joins the compact crossover club". Car. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  6. ^ "2018 Kia Stonic 1.6 CRDi (136 Hp) | Technical specs, data, fuel consumption, Dimensions". www.auto-data.net.
  7. ^ "新车 | 全新小型SUV/1.5升动力，悦达起亚索奈将于北京车展上市". Dongchedi (in Chinese). 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  8. ^ a b De Guzman, Marcus (2024-05-16). "2024 Kia Sonet launching soon, starts below PHP 800K". AutoIndustriya.com. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  9. ^ a b Garcia, Leandre (2024-06-06). "Kia replaces Stonic with all-new Sonet; prices start at P758,000". Top Gear Philippines. Summit Media. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  10. ^ a b Woo, Je-yoon (2017-07-13). "Kia Motors' new compact SUV Stonic hits Korean market". Maeil Business Newspaper. Retrieved 2017-07-18.
  11. ^ Sommer, Marcel (2017-06-20). "Kia Stonic: So sieht der neue Crossover von Kia aus" [Kia Stonic: This is how Kia's new crossover looks]. Focus (in German). Retrieved 2017-08-12.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ Chi, Stanley. "Kia Stonic 2021". Philkotse.
  13. ^ Green, Benjamin (2017-06-20). "2018 Kia Stonic SUV price, specs and release date". Carwow. Archived from the original on 2017-08-10. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  14. ^ "Mild-hybrid power, connectivity and new driver assistance tech for upgraded Kia Stonic". press.kia.com. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  15. ^ ""진짜 아무도 몰랐어요" 기아차가 아무도 모르게 단종시킨 SUV 물어보자 영업사원 반응". 오토포스트 (in Korean). 2020-11-29. Archived from the original on 2021-02-17. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  16. ^ "EXCLUSIVE - Price of KIA Stonic Revealed". PakWheels Blog. 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  17. ^ "Kia-Stonic" (PDF). Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Kia Stonic/KX1 due out in Philippines in October". formacar. 2020-08-21. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  19. ^ Wang, Joey (2018-06-14). "This Is The New Kia KX1 Crossover For China". carnewschina. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  20. ^ "KIA noticeably updated its most budgetary crossover". autotimesnews. 2019-09-07. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  21. ^ Pornelos, Vince (2020-08-18). "Kia PH to get 2021 Stonic from China, start price war vs MG ZS, EcoSport". AutoIndustriya.com. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  22. ^ Grecia, Leandre (2021-07-29). "Hidilyn Diaz will receive a top-of-the-line Stonic from Kia PH". Top Gear Philippines. Summit Media. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  23. ^ Laurel, Drei (2021-08-09). "Hidilyn Diaz will receive driving lessons along with her brand-new Kia Stonic". Top Gear Philippines. Summit Media. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  24. ^ "Kia Stonic (with Standard Equipment)". Euro NCAP. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  25. ^ "Kia Stonic (with Safety Pack)". Euro NCAP. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  26. ^ "2018 iF Design Awards – three trophies for Kia". Kia Motors. 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  27. ^ "Kia triumphs again at Red Dot Design Award 2018". Kia Motors. 2018-04-24. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  28. ^ a b Kia. "Sales Results | IR Library | Kia Global Brand Site". Kia. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  29. ^ "Kia KX1 - Sales in China". www.chinamobil.ru. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  30. ^ "【易车销量榜】全国2023年起亚批发量销量榜-易车榜-易车". car.yiche.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  31. ^ "【易车销量榜】全国2024年起亚批发量销量榜-易车榜-易车". car.yiche.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 2025-03-01.
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