Used Kia Stonic 2017-present review

The Kia Stonic gets its name from combining 'speedy' and 'tonic'. No, not the kind you'd pair with gin, but, according to Kia, the tonic that denotes the first musical note in a scale.

What does that mean for this small SUV? Your guess is as good as ours.

Engines & Performance: The engine range initially consisted of three choices: a fairly sluggish 98bhp 1.4-litre petrol; a thrummy but ultimately more impressive 118bhp 1.0-litre petrol, and a clattery 114bhp 1.6-litre diesel. In 2020, the line-up was revised with the diesel and 1.4 petrol being dropped, the latter being replaced with a 99bhp version of the 1.0. A facelift towards the end of 2020 introduced 48v mild-hybrid assistance to the more powerful 118bhp 1.0. All versions come with a relatively slick six-speed manual gearbox, but you can also have a seven-speed automatic with the 1.0-litre petrol.

Ride & Handling: As far as handling goes, the Stonic is up there with the best in the class in terms of nimbleness. The body doesn’t lean all that much in the corners and any surprise bumps that might appear mid-corner don’t upset the Stonic’s composure. The steering isn’t the last word in communication, but it is perfectly precise and well weighted.

However, the Seat Arona and (more so) the Ford Puma are both sharper still to drive and it also manages to offer a more comfortable ride. The Stonic tends to fidget quite a lot over even relatively smooth surfaces no matter what speed you’re doing. This can be a little annoying on longer journeys and, when combined with the road and wind noise, means the Stonic isn’t the best motorway companion.

Interior & Practicality: The interior itself is well screwed together and all the controls are logically laid out. There isn’t a soft-touch surface in sight, but this is the case with most small SUVs. If you want a luxurious interior, you’ll need to spend a lot more on an Audi Q2.

Space up front is perfectly acceptable and the adjustable central armrest is a nice touch. Taller children and adults will find the back to be a squeeze, and the Stonic doesn’t have a clever sliding rear bench like the Renault Captur to improve available space. The Stonic also trails the class best for luggage capacity, and you’ll have to step up to top-spec 4 versions to find an adjustable boot floor; otherwise, you’ll have to put up with a significant load lip to lift things over.

Trims & Equipment: Even though the Stonic 2 is the entry-level model, it isn’t spartan. There's 17in alloys, rear parking sensors and a 7in touchscreen. You don't get sat-nav, but both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard-from-new features, as is a 7in touchscreen, you can use your phone for navigation instead. Move up to 3 for climate control, sat-nav, a reversing camera and safety tech such as automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-departure warning. Top-of-the-range 4 brings leather trim with heated front seats and steering wheel, two-tone exterior paint and keyless entry.

Interested in buying a used Kia Stonic? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Used prices for the Kia Stonic start at £7000 for a 2017/'18/'19 example that's covered less than 80,000 miles or less. A 2021 model will set you back around £10,000, rising to around £17,000 at least for a nearly new 2024 example.

Check the value of a used Stonic with What Car? Valuations

Find used Kia cars for sale

MPG: A Stonic won’t be quite as economical as its main rival, the Seat Arona, but it will be competitive with the class.

The 1.4-litre petrol has a combined figure of 45.6mpg, but the more powerful turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol is slightly more efficient at 56.5mpg. If you want maximum economy, go for the 1.6-litre diesel, which has an economy figure of 67.3mpg.

Later 99bhp 1.0 and mild-hybrid 118bhp engines both manage 49.6mpg under the latest WLTP test regime.

Road tax (VED): Stonics are subject to the standard flat-rate annual road tax (VED) fee introduced since April 2017. The current fee for petrol cars is £190 per year.

Servicing intervals: Petrol Stonics will need servicing every 10,000 miles whereas cars with a diesel engine need maintenance every 20,000 miles. Kia servicing isn’t generally that expensive compared with rivals, plus there are the usual sorts of service plans available that cover maintenance over a three, or five-year period. You can even take out finance if money is tight by paying a quarter of the total bill upfront and spreading the remaining amount over a three month repayment period.

Reliability

Our 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey found the Kia Stonic to be generally reliable, with many owners praising its smooth running over long periods. However, some reported issues with unexpected engine warning lights, leading to dealership visits.

Experiences with Kia dealers varied. While some owners appreciated quick and efficient service, others experienced delays in repairs and noted higher-than-expected costs. More minor issues were often resolved promptly, but more serious engine problems took longer to fix.

Engine: Unless you travel long distances and would benefit from the greater economy of the diesel, there’s little point going for anything other than the 1.0-litre petrol. Aside from a little lag, it has plenty of punch and offers reasonable economy.

Trim: There's little need to go above 2 models because these have all the equipment you really need, plus the infotainment system has full smartphone connectivity to negate the fact it doesn't have sat-nav as standard.

Our favourite Kia Stonic: 1.0-litre 2

The Renault Captur may not be the fastest or best-handling small SUV, but its flexible rear seating makes it one of the most practical. What’s more, used prices are remarkably low, so it’ll be the one to go for if you’re on a budget.

The Ford Puma (followed by the Seat Arona) is the best used small SUV you can currently buy used, because it's great to drive, practical and is reasonably affordable to buy and run.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here

Interested in buying a used Kia Stonic? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.