Kia continues to surprise. After having introduced the concept version of its new sub-compact SUV just a couple of weeks ago, the Korean automaker now unveils the Kia Stonic as a production model, well before its scheduled official world premiere at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September.
Expected on the European market in the third quarter of 2017, the Stonic may well go on sale in North America by the end of the year or early in 2018 – though there has been no official confirmation from the manufacturer.
Adopting a trendy European design that is quite distinct from the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, the Stonic will offer more customization options – both inside and out – than any previous Kia model. Among them, a Targa-style two-tone roof paint finish with 20 different colour combinations available.
Under the hood, the Kia Stonic will come with a choice of gasoline and diesel engines, and while the specific powertrains that will be available in North America remain to be confirmed, consumers will most likely be able to opt for either a 2.0L, 4-cylinder engine delivering 147 hp or a 1.6L turbo generating 176 hp. These setups are similar to what is being offered with the all-new Hyundai Kona, freshly unveiled on June 13 and which we tried out exclusively on a trip to South Korea.
Stonic buyers will also benefit from a multitude of new infotainment technologies (such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility) and safety systems (Forward Collision Alert, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, etc.).
We’ll be filling you in on details regarding the Kia Stonic and its arrival on the Canadian market as they come.
