After 3 short years of career , the Stonic is already going through the light restyling box. What is changing? Let’s find out together!
For the presentations, you will see, it will go very quickly. First of all, on the style side, it’s not the revolution. This new Stonic subtly revisits its front fog lights and adopts full Led lights for high finishes. And that’s all. Above all, it gives pride of place to personalization with new colors. It is now possible to dress it in Magnetic Gray (here present) and Azure Blue. These new colors, like those already available, can also be combined with a roof of another color. Depending on the brand, a third of customers would therefore opt for an orange or black roof. However, we regret the absence of a panel of rims to stand out more …
Let’s go inside, where there too, few changes are to be noted. New customers, however, will be delighted to now discover a larger screen, 8 inches, and which becomes connected. Finally, because yes it is already all in terms of novelty, the small digital screen between the counters – which remain with hands – is enlarged to stand at 4.2 inches. Fortunately, the interior of the Stonic was already well born. We are not talking about irreproachable materials or perfect finishes, but very good ergonomics and a warm welcome. If the front seats are very pleasant and spacious, although the seats are a bit rough for my taste, the rear seats offer limited space. To be honest, these will only be suitable for children or young teens, because of a legroom and head not folichon. For the trunk, there too, it lacks a little space. By offering a volume of 352 liters, it is in the low average of the category. A Captur or a 2008, larger it is true, offer 406 and 434 liters respectively.
In fact, it is especially under the hood that the changes become major. Indeed, the powertrain is now lightly hybridized. Diesel completely disappears from the range and it will now be necessary to opt for the unique 1.0 liter T-GDi new generation “Smartstream” engine, associated with a hybrid system in 48 V. The battery installed under the boot floor will allow, as you surely know it, to supply an alternator-starter which will help the thermal block during the phases of acceleration or starting. At the dealership, you will have the choice between two power levels, 100 and 120 hp. BVM6 and DCT7 boxes are still available in the catalog.
For my part, I selected the 120 horsepower unit mated to the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This duo works wonderfully and it was a pleasure to cover a few hundred kilometers at the wheel. With the little boost offered by the electric (which still increases the maximum torque from 171 to 200 Nm), my little Stonic is full of life. It also offers 3 driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) to best suit your mood. Eco mode is perfectly balanced; contrary to what I have often seen before, it does not make the car too amorphous and is really a perfect everyday ally. It leaves this urban SUV its sparkling side when necessary, while remaining quite wise and sober. Especially since the excellent box, soft, invisible, responsive and never lost,
If I had to find faults, I would like to mention the damping or the freewheel function. The latter, certainly important for optimizing consumption (which we will talk about later), regularly prevents the benefit of engine braking. Appreciating driving without unwanted braking, especially in the middle of traffic, I was not always convinced by this feature on the Stonic. A smarter system, helped by the many sensors and cameras, could improve the experience. Then, side suspensions, I found the model quite firm, whereas it will be especially inclined to undergo the assaults of the cities, filled with holes, deformations or other speed bumps. It will in fact tend to shake up its passengers a little more than expected, without making journeys uncomfortable.
Conversely, the big positive point is to be found on the side of the steering which has been very precise and pleasant in the hand. If the weather was not with me at all during this week of testing, never letting me ride in dry conditions, the feeling of security was always present and the handling exemplary. You can feel everything that is happening under your wheels and the Stonic can be placed where you want when you want, without latency or feeling of blur in the steering wheel. In addition to the car’s very good general flexibility, this quality gives it a communicative and expressive temperament. We really like driving it, and seeing a winding road appear in front of us.
To return to consumption, the new mild-hybrid system will not do wonders compared to previous blocks. It acts above all on homologation and C0² emissions. Depending on the driving, some of you will manage to drop below 5 liters per 100 km. Otherwise, the average will rather be around 5.5 / 6 l / 100, or even up to 7 l / 100 on the highway.
In terms of price it is rather well placed against fierce competition. Even if it made a big leap forward with this update (up to € 3,000 more), it offers reasonable prices for its very good services. The 2021 Stonic starts at € 20,290, with a Premium finish like mine and with a few options (paint at € 950, adaptive regulator at € 240) it comes to € 28,580. With less than 130 g / km of C0², it is exempt from an ecological penalty.
Without being the best somewhere, the new Kia Stonic MHEV does everything right. We find at its wheel a dynamism largely sufficient for everyday life, a pleasant comfort, a nice driving pleasure, all accompanied by a style all its own. Compared to often more expensive or more classic competitors, it really does not have to be ashamed of its qualities.