The KIA Stonic 2024 is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by the South Korean multinational corporation KIA Motors. It was first introduced in South Korea in 2017 and later got a facelift in October 2020. It was discontinued in South Korea in 2020 due to its lack of popularity. However, the new, facelifted model was launched in Pakistan on November 8, 2021.
According to KIA, the name “STONIC” is derived from the words “SPEEDY” and “TONIC,” representing the first and last notes on a musical scale. In KIA’s model portfolio, the Stonic is the smallest crossover, positioned two steps below the Sportage. The company advertises the KIA Stonic as a small car for big adventures, indicating its suitability for both intra-city tours and long drives.
This car is being locally assembled in Pakistan by KIA Lucky Motors. The Completely Knocked Down (CKD) units of the KIA Stonic are ready for shipment to dealerships for displays and test drives. This means that its spare parts will also be easily available in the market.
The sleek yet bold design of the KIA Stonic 2024 sets it apart from its competitors. KIA’s signature tiger-nose grille and muscular bumpers add to its boldness. The Stonic EX comes with a matte black grille while the EX+ comes with one in piano black. It has LED daytime running lights in all variants, but the front and rear fog lights are only available as usual bulbs in both variants. The outside mirror in both KIA Stonic EX and EX+ is electrically adjustable, retractable, and heated. The EX+ also comes with a rearview mirror. The KIA Stonic EX features bi-function halogen projection headlamps with static bending light, which illuminates corners when turning at slow speeds. The EX+ has LED projection headlamps. The rear of the Stonic 2024 is equally striking with three-dimensional combination lamps and a steep rear window. A purposeful spoiler caps the rear window, which houses a high-mounted brake light. The KIA Stonic EX+ also includes a sunroof, which the EX model lacks.
The aerodynamic design of all Stonic 2024 variants directs airflow towards the engine and wheel wells for better stability at high speeds. The EX comes with 15-inch alloy rims, while the EX+ comes with 16-inch alloy rims.
The interior of the KIA Stonic 2024 is clean and comfortable. The company claims a seating capacity of five, but practically it is limited to four. All seats have adjustable headrests, and both variants come with six airbags. The rear seats feature a 40:60 split-fold to increase storage space. The D-shaped steering wheel creates convenience and more legroom for the driver but is only available in the KIA Stonic EX+. Options like audio call, voice recognition, and mid-software changes are available at the driver’s fingertips as they are part of the steering wheel controls. The handbrake in the Stonic is manual. The electrochromic rearview mirror in the EX+ and a sunglasses case in the front overhead console lamp of both variants create convenience for the driver and passengers alike. The black high gloss center fascia houses an 8-inch floating infotainment system. It supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with voice recognition and Bluetooth connectivity. The Bluetooth multi-connection allows two devices to be connected simultaneously: one for hands-free phone and media, and the other for media only. Six powerful speakers in the Stonic stereo system provide a premium infotainment experience. There are also two charging ports, one in the fascia and the other for the rear passengers.
The cruise control function, manual speed assist, and the push-button start/stop feature are only available in the KIA Stonic EX+. The EX+ also comes with forward and reverse Park Assist Sensors. Both models have Vehicle Stability Management, which ensures maximum security by maintaining the stability and balance of the car. Hill Start Assist further improves the driving experience on steep roads. The Anti-Lock Braking system helps provide better handling on slippery paths. The modern feature of single-zone climate control also helps maintain the internal climate of the vehicle.
Both the KIA Stonic EX and KIA Stonic EX+ come with a 1.4L petrol engine. The 6-speed automatic transmission engine generates 99 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 133 Nm @ 4,000 rpm to give optimum performance for these front-wheel-drive vehicles.
Both the KIA Stonic EX and the EX+ have a fuel consumption of 12 km/l in the city and 16 km/l on the highway.
The KIA Stonic 2024 provides a smooth riding experience with the help of its traction control system. The electronic brake distribution (EBD) makes the ride balanced. Even during turns, it remains upright and rides smoothly over bumps. The steering experience is not as spectacular as its competitors, especially regarding front-end grip. However, the steering is well-weighted, which helps in maintaining your lane on the highway. Both variants also come with a tire pressure monitoring system, which alerts you when any of the tires has low air pressure. The availability of a stability control system further enhances the driving experience.
As the KIA Stonic 2024 will be locally assembled in Pakistan, its auto parts will be easily available in the market. Moreover, consumers will find it easier to get their cars inspected and serviced.
Currently, KIA Stonic 2024 is facing strong competition from the Honda BR-V and MG ZS in the Pakistani market.
The Honda BR-V’s 1.5L i-VTEC engine and MG ZS’ 1.5L NSE engine challenge KIA Stonic’s 1.4L MPI engine. The BR-V also has an edge due to its 7-seater passenger capacity and 6-speed automatic transmission. As both the BR-V and Stonic fall in the same cost category, the BR-V’s better torque and higher ground clearance supersede the Stonic. On the other hand, the MG ZS has a more powerful engine and power-packed features. It is also branded as Pakistan’s most affordable SUV currently in the market, which creates tough competition for the KIA Stonic.
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