Kia has revealed sketches and details of a new supermini-based compact crossover SUV called the Stonic. It is based on the Kia Rio and will reportedly go on sale this October.
The Stonic is expected to make its first public appearance in the metal during the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. Its rivals include the likes of the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008.
While the sketches will have aggregated some of the design features, they do show the Stonic has some familiar Kia design traits like a tiger-nose grille. The headlights sport a new LED lightning signature, while other design highlights include the flared wheel arches, rear scuff plates and black roof bars.
Since it uses the same platform as the current Kia Rio, the Stonic will likely share engines with the supermini too. That means a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit, a 1.25-litre petrol and 1.4-litre petrols and diesels could be among the Stonic’s engine choices.
According to online reports, the Stonic will not be offered with four-wheel drive, unlike some of the rivals in the category it’ll enter. However, a plug-in hybrid powertrain similar to one coming for the Kia Niro could be added some time after the Stonic’s initial launch.
