• New Cars
    • First Impressions
    • Road Tests
  • Classics
    • Classic Profiles
    • Classic Driving Impressions
    • Classics Information
    • Events and Days Out
  • Motoring For Fun
  • News & Views
  • Bookshelf
  • Technical
    • Grumpy Old Mechanic
    • Kim’s Tips
  • Features
    • Visits
    • Track Days
  • Contributors
    • About our contributors
    • Kim Henson
    • Chris Adamson
    • Kieron Fennelly
    • Ant Henson
    • Rachel Henson
    • David Miles
    • Gerald Morgan
    • Dave Moss
    • Dave Randle
    • Robin Roberts
    • Tom Scanlan
    • Glen Smale
    • Jeremy Walton
    • Keith Ward
    • John Price Williams
  • More…
    • About Wheels Alive
    • Tips for using this website
    • Useful Links

Wheels Alive

Old cars, new cars, borrowed cars & blue cars. If it steers it's here!

Old cars, new cars, borrowed cars & blue cars. If it steers it's here!

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.

To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Kia Stonic GT-Line – First Impressions (model ‘revisited’)

21st July 2025

Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) assesses Kia’s Stonic compact SUV…

When a prolific manufacturer keeps rolling out new models it’s all too easy to overlook their older vehicles, as is the case with the Kia Stonic GT-Line S.

Kia is on a roll with its brand in Britain, bringing new EVs to market in a constant stream and more are on the horizon this year as it enriches its range and wins awards within the industry.

So it was good to slip behind the wheel of a Stonic GT-Line S for a short spell and eight years after its launch to refresh the feelings it generated of a well sorted compact family car.

The range comprises nine models between £20,190 and £26,615 in 2,3, GT-Line and GT-Line S specifications with 6 speed manual or 7 speed automatic transmission for the 98 bhp triple cylinder 1.0 litre engine with or without hybrid assistance.

Our test car was the top of range version, a MHEV with 7 speed Dual Clutch Transmission. It has a 109 mph maximum speed, with 0 – 62 mph taking a leisurely 12.4 seconds. On a short test route of A and B-class roads we recorded 41.2 mpg.

The Stonic GT-Line S is the smallest SUV in their range and not as large as more modern competitors, but nevertheless the Stonic is a very good model in its own right and Kia annually sell about 8,000 of them.

The powertrain utilises soundly developed petrol-electric technology with an easy to use automatic transmission fitted with good ratios for smart getaways and relaxed main road journeys; it provides a smooth shift in normal or sport modes.

In the driver’s hands the steering has good feedback, a convenient turning circle and no vibration. Underfoot the brakes needed only modest pressure to bring about rapid deceleration.

The car looks like a conventional hatchback but it handles well with a modest tendency to run wide on tight turns and quickly comes back on line if the throttle is lifted. Grip is good in the dry.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Stonic doesn’t have a particularly long wheelbase but the ride is better than some bigger cars and it really absorbs bumps very well without jarring the cabin and occupants.

Road and wind noises were all low but it produced a delightful throbbing sound when pressed.

Inside, room is good for four but a pinch at five and those behind will find the legroom is short if over average height – and rear seat headroom might be restricted for them as well.

The precision of the major controls is matched by the convenience of the secondary switches, excellent clear instruments and quick changing display of the infotainment system with its mobile compatibility and clarity.

Access is good to the cabin and into the boot where there is a small lip, but it really is only capable of taking a couple of suitcases or shopping bags, and the offset split seat backs need to be dropped for bigger loads.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Visibility is good to front, sides and back, wipers and washers clear the glass with ease.

VERDICT

The Kia Stonic is more than capable of keeping up with the best in the market today and its future looks assured.

© WheelsWithinWales

Save Post as PDF

Categories: Featured, First Impressions, Robin Roberts Tags: Kia Stonic, Kia Stonic Frst Impressions ('revisited')

Tip: For improved search accuracy, enclose search terms for multiple words in quotation marks. For example:
"Land Rover".

Advertise with us

Recent Posts

DVLA/DfT ‘call for evidence’ consultation responses – Wheels-Alive ‘Part Four’: More findings in greater depth

Wheels-Alive visits Burlen Fuel Systems at Salisbury

Beaulieu event dates for 2026 announced

This Halloween, at the British Motor Museum, ride in the Ford Anglia from Harry Potter

British Motor Museum shortlisted in the Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards

Skoda Kodiaq vRS – Road Test

Motoring For Fun – A Welsh Adventure with two cars – and parting with a much-loved Jaguar on its way to a new life in Ireland…

Disney and Pixar ‘Cars’ roll into the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu just in time for the October 2025 half-term

Contributors

contributors

Our well-respected contributors live and breathe motor cars; aren’t we lucky?

Contributors to the site include talented, highly-respected people (so they tell me) on the hallowed membership list of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and from the similarly well thought-of Western Group of Motoring Writers. In addition there are valued contributions from other knowledgeable and capable motoring writers who have something useful to say about all aspects of driving and running vehicles in the 21st Century. All of our team are passionate about motor cars!


Read about our contributors  ››

Tags

Estate car Beaulieu Suzuki British Motor Museum SUV road test luxury SUV EV City car all-electric PHEV plug-in hybrid 4x4 The Motor Ombudsman Tyres estate National Motor Museum First Impressions Compact SUV Hybrid Kia crossover Electric saloon five door hatchback MPV Seven seater SUV hatchback Coupé large SUV

All Tags ››

Like us on Facebook

Like us on Facebook

Wheels Alive Social

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Please share our website

Contact us

We welcome your questions, comments and feedback. Please click here to contact us.

Advertising Opportunities

Please contact us if you would like to discuss advertising opportunities on Wheels Alive.

Copyright © 2025 Kim Henson, Wheels Alive