Kia Stonic review
The Kia Stonic is a small SUV that’s big on style, easy to drive, and comes with Kia’s legendary seven-year warranty.
Author: Charlie Harvey
12th Dec 2025 – 9 mins read
If you’re looking for a small car that sits a little higher off the ground but still fits easily into tight parking spaces, the Kia Stonic is definitely worth a look. It joined the party back in 2017, jumping into the booming world of small crossovers (often called B-SUVs) to rival cars like the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. Based on the sensible Kia Rio hatchback, the Stonic adds a bit of rugged charm and a higher driving position. It’s a straightforward, honest car that doesn’t try to be overly complicated. With decent equipment levels across the board and that reassuring warranty, it’s a sensible choice for solo drivers, couples, or small families who want a hassle-free motoring life.
Pros
- Generous amount of standard kit
- Fun and punchy turbo petrol engine
- Reassuring seven-year warranty
Cons
- Ride can feel a bit firm over bumps
- Rear legroom is tight for taller adults
- Interior feels a bit plain compared to the exterior
Interior
Dashboard & tech
Kia has kept things refreshingly simple inside the Stonic. You won't need a degree in computer science to work the dashboard—everything is laid out logically with buttons and dials exactly where you'd expect them to be.
One of the Stonic's biggest wins is that it comes with a great touchscreen as standard. Even entry-level models get a clear, responsive display that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This means you can plug in your phone and use your own maps and music apps without any fuss. It’s intuitive and easy to use, which is exactly what you want when you’re on the move.
Comfort
The front seats are supportive and comfortable, making it easy to get settled. However, because Kia designed the Stonic to feel a bit sporty and agile, the suspension is set up to be quite firm. While this stops the car from leaning too much in corners, you might find you feel the bumps and potholes a bit more than in some softer rivals. It’s not uncomfortable, but it’s definitely on the firm side.
Quality
The interior is built to last, which is great news for used buyers. While you will find quite a few hard, grey plastics around the cabin, everything feels solidly screwed together. It might lack the soft-touch luxury or design flair of some competitors, but it feels durable and ready to handle daily life. It’s functional rather than fancy, and there’s an honesty to that which we quite like.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
In the front, there’s plenty of room to stretch out, and the slightly raised seating position gives you a good view of the road ahead. However, things are a little tighter in the back. While children will be perfectly happy, taller adults might find legroom a bit squeezed on longer journeys. It’s absolutely fine for short trips or carrying the kids to school, though.
You’ll find the usual storage spots for your bits and bobs, including door bins and cupholders, though a few more cubbyholes wouldn't go amiss.
Boot space
The Stonic offers a boot size that is fairly average for this type of car. With 352 litres of space, it’s bigger than a standard supermini (like a Ford Fiesta) but slightly smaller than rivals like the Renault Captur. Practically speaking, that’s enough room for a weekly shop or a couple of suitcases for a weekend away.
One thing to watch out for is the high boot lip—there’s a bit of a ridge you have to lift heavy bags over to get them in or out. However, top-spec models often come with an adjustable boot floor, which helps smooth this out and creates a flat loading area.
Versatility
If you need to carry bigger loads, the rear seats fold down to open up 1,155 litres of space. It’s not a van, but it’s surprisingly capable if you need to make a run to the tip or pick up some flat-pack furniture. It handles the basics of practicality well without trying to be too clever with sliding seats or hidden compartments.
Driving
Driving experience
The Stonic is surprisingly fun to drive. Because it’s relatively light and shares its DNA with the nimble Rio hatchback, it feels agile around town and doesn't lean too much when you go around corners. The steering is light, making parking a breeze, but it still gives you enough confidence on winding country roads.
As we mentioned in the comfort section, that agility comes at the cost of a firmer ride. On smooth motorways, it’s settled and composed, but on rougher city streets, you’ll know about the road surface beneath you.
Performance
You’ll find a few different engines in the used market, but the star of the show is undoubtedly the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine (T-GDi). Don’t let the small size fool you—it produces around 118bhp and feels punchy and eager. It zips from 0-60mph in under 10 seconds, making it great for darting into gaps in traffic or merging onto the motorway.
There is also a basic 1.4-litre petrol engine (98bhp) which is fine for town driving but feels a little breathless on faster roads, and a 1.6-litre diesel for high-mileage drivers who want maximum fuel economy. Most models come with a slick six-speed manual gearbox, though you can find automatic versions if you prefer to rest your left leg.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
The Stonic shouldn't cost the earth to run. If you do lots of motorway miles, the 1.6-litre diesel is the efficiency champ, claiming over 70mpg in official tests with low CO2 emissions.
For most drivers, the 1.0-litre turbo petrol is the best balance. It manages around 50mpg, which is respectable for a car of this shape. The older 1.4-litre petrol is slightly thirstier, so it’s worth checking the figures if fuel bills are a priority for you. Insurance groups are reasonable (groups 10-14), comparable with other small crossovers, so premiums shouldn't be a nasty surprise.
Value for money
Value is a big part of the Kia appeal. Even entry-level models come with alloy wheels, air conditioning, and that all-important smartphone connectivity. You don't need to hunt for a top-spec model to get the essentials. When you combine decent purchase prices with sensible running costs, the Stonic makes a lot of financial sense.
Reliability & Warranty
This is the Stonic’s ace card. Kia has a fantastic reputation for reliability, and the Stonic is based on tried-and-tested mechanical parts. Best of all, every new Kia comes with a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty. This stays with the car, not the owner. So, if you buy a three-year-old Stonic, you’ve still got four years of manufacturer warranty left—that’s more peace of mind than you get with most brand-new cars from other brands!
Safety
Safety features
Safety ratings for the Stonic can be a little confusing because there are two scores. When tested by Euro NCAP in 2017, the standard model received three stars. However, models fitted with the optional safety pack scored the full five stars.
The good news is that many used models will have this pack. Mid-range trims often include autonomous emergency braking (which brakes for you if it senses a crash), lane-keep assist, and high-beam assist. If safety is your top priority, it’s worth checking the spec sheet of the specific car you’re looking at to see if it has these "Advanced Driving Assistance" features.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
Kia likes to keep trim levels simple, often using numbers like '2', '3', and '4'.
The '2' is the entry-level but is far from basic, featuring 17-inch alloy wheels, air con, rear parking sensors, and that 7-inch touchscreen. Stepping up to the '3' adds niceties like sat nav and the advanced safety kit we mentioned earlier.
The top-spec '4' (or 'First Edition' on earlier cars) adds luxury touches like heated seats, a heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring, and often a two-tone roof for a splash of extra style. You might also see 'GT-Line' models, which add sporty body kits and unique wheels for a more aggressive look.
Engines
The engine lineup is straightforward. The 1.0 T-GDi is the one we recommend most; it’s a small turbo petrol that punches above its weight.
You might also find the 1.4 MPi, a non-turbo petrol engine that is reliable but requires a bit more work to get up to speed, and the 1.6 CRDi diesel, which is a rare but frugal choice for high-mileage drivers. Later models also introduced "mild-hybrid" technology to the 1.0-litre engine to help save a little more fuel around town.