Kia Stonic Brings Mild Hybrid Tech, New Trim Levels To UK From £18,195

Kia’s updated Stonic is reaching UK shores with a new 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain option together with new GT-Line, Connect and GT-Line S trims, plus half a dozen brighter and more colorful hues.

The 1.0-liter T-GDi mild-hybrid gasoline powertrain is available with Kia’s new clutch-by-wire intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT), as well as a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. This engine comes with either 99 PS (97 HP) or 118 PS (116 HP), and as much as 148 lb-ft (200 Nm) of torque.

Opt for the more powerful variant and you also get a Drive Mode Select system allowing you to switch between Eco, Sport and Normal modes. Meanwhile, both transmissions (iMT and 7DCT) enable periods of engine-off “sailing” in order to improve fuel efficiency. This works at speeds of up to 77 mph (124 km/h).

Read: New Stonic Maxx And Picanto Zest Special Editions Add A Splash Of Color To Kia’s Range

Inside, there’s a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen display and smartphone connectivity as standard. The resolution of the 4.2-inch digital gauge cluster has also been upgraded, while new interior customization options include blue and yellow trim highlights.

There’s also a new ‘User Profile Transfer’ function, allowing you to save your preferred system settings to the cloud and transfer them to other similarly-equipped Kia models.

Step into the GT-Line and you’ll find a D-cut steering wheel with ‘GT-Line’ motif, GT-Line logo for the faux leather seats, plus various active safety features such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Driver Attention Warning (DAW) and High Beam Assist (HBA). GT-Line S versions add front parking sensors to go withBlind Spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), with DCT editions also boasting Blind Spot Collision Avoidance for the rear of the car.

Las,t but not least, there are the colors. A contrasting roof remains available as an option, while 20 two-color combinations are now available, making the Stonic highly customizable from a visual standpoint.

Pricing in the UK starts from £18,195 ($23,500) for the entry-level ‘2’ variant, while the GT-Line costs upwards of £20,745 ($26,800).