Kia’s small car range has become more youthful with the launch of the Picanto Zest and Stonic Maxx, which are on sale in the UK from £12,650 ($16,770/€14,952) and £19,055 ($25,261/€22,522), respectively.
The Stonic Maxx boasts a new color combination, with Clear White paintwork contrasted by the red roof. Standard gear includes the 17-inch alloy wheels with a graphite look that are exclusive to the special edition, rear privacy glass and LED lights. On the inside, it brings faux black leather upholstery, satin chrome details found on the door handles and an infotainment system with reversing camera.
The small crossover is powered by the 1.0-liter T-GDi petrol engine making 118 hp, which can be paired to either a six-speed manual or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with the latter adding £1,000 ($1,326/€1,182) to the MSRP.
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Finished in the Lime Light premium metallic paint, the Picanto Zest comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, LED DRLs and taillights, front fog lamps and rear privacy glass. It also gets faux leather upholstery with grey stitching, black high gloss trim, a 7-inch infotainment system, reversing camera, DAB radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and others. Power comes from a 66 hp 1.0-liter petrol engine matched to a five-speed manual gearbox.
The Niro PHEV has been updated as well for the new model year with the introduction of the ’2’ grade. Priced at £30,265 ($40,122/€35,772), £1,680 ($2,227/€1,986) less than the ‘3’, it’s nicely specced, with standard 16-inch alloy wheels, heated and electrically adjustable side mirrors with LED indicators, roof rails and towing pack that allows it to pull a trailer with a total weight of 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs).
A part-leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, 8-inch infotainment with DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and several other features are also standard. All Niro PHEVs are fitted with lane keep assist, lane follow assist, forward collision avoidance assist, hill-start assist and smart cruise control.
