Super Stonic

While Kia Philippines made picking a little easier for the Filipinos by narrowing down the choices they’re offering for the Stonic subcompact crossover, there’s still a considerable amount of things that need to be considered.

Most Filipinos now are down to using an automatic transmission because of the traffic so that’s taken care of, but things like daytime running lamps (DRLs), accents, automatic climate control, better infotainment system, while considered non-essential items, sure make the vehicle look and feel good (for the driver).

If you’re set on the Stonic but are very particular about these kinds of things and want it broken down so you really know what you’re getting, you’re reading the right article.

I’ll give you the lowdown of the top-of-the-line Stonic 1.4 EX AT to let you know what to expect for a P925,000 subcompact crossover.

First thing you need to know is, at just three years old, this already is an award-winning nameplate. The Stonic, designed by Kia Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer, picked up the prestigious Red Dot Award in 2018 for best design in the crossover category. This was just one year after it was officially launched in International Motor Show Germany in 2017. Based on this alone, you know you’re getting something of note.

I know you’re asking, “under a million for a crossover?” but that’s possible because the units Kia Philippines is getting are assembled in China which allows these products to benefit from the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (C-AFTA). Under the C-AFTA, tariffs on more than 7,000 product categories, which accounts for some 90% of all imported goods, have been reduced to zero percent.

Now for the details.

The EX measures the same as its two other trims, 4,100mm in length, 1,735mm in width, 1,533mm tall, with an identical wheelbase of 2,570mm and ground clearance of 185mm. Because of the automatic transmission though, it tips the scales at 1,117 kilograms, some 43 kilograms more than the manual transmission.

Unfortunately, we don’t get the diesel engine or the 1.0L turbo but I feel we do have the next best thing, a 1.4L four-cylinder engine with D-CVVT (Dual Continuous Variable Valve Timing). The latter is tech borrowed from the Hyundai Genesis that controls 32 individual valves up to 58 times per second in order to get better fuel economy, reduced exhaust gases (NOx, HC), and improved engine performance (through reduction of pumping loss, internal EGR effect improvement of combustion stability, improvement of volumetric efficiency, and increase of expansion work).

The engine output of 100hp and 132Nm of torque is routed to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. It should be noted that while there is only one engine option for the Stonic and the torque numbers are the same across the trims, the entry-level unit only has 95hp.

It uses a motor-driven power steering system that is more fuel efficient as it uses an electric motor to multiply the driver’s steering input instead of a hydraulic system that taxes the engine to augment steering effort.

On the chassis are front and rear disc brakes, which is a more superior setup compared to the rear drum brakes of the other two trims. Disc brake design is better in that it is not housed in a drum, which allows air to cool the rotor during the drive to prevent fading and/or overheating.

The suspension equipment are a MacPherson strut and stabilizer in front and a coupled torsion beam axle at the rear, which is common on majority of crossovers today.

It comes with 195/60 R16 tires on 16-inch wheels and a steel wheel for the spare tire.

Projection-type headlamps are standard across all trims along with front and rear skid plates, electronically adjustable external rearview mirrors, a fin-type antenna, roof rails, intermittent windshield wipers, a rear window defogger, a rear spoiler, a high-mount stop lamp, and rear combination lamps.

What sets the EX apart are LED (light-emitting diode) DRL turn signal indicators integrated into the exterior rearview mirrors, black and silver molding on the “tiger nose” grille, chrome coated beltline molding, and chrome coated outside door handles.

Most cabin amenities and equipment are the same as well including a 3.5-inch TFT (thin film transistor) LCD (liquid crystal display) MID (multi-information display), day and night interior rearview mirror, and a three-spoke urethane steering wheels with audio and Bluetooth controls.

Exclusive to the EX are black and silver dashboard trim, a smart entry system where you don’t need to click the key fob (just have it on you like in a bag or pocket and the doors will automatically unlock when you reach for the door handle), an illuminated push-start button, a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, and a single zone automatic air-conditioning (all you need to do is set the temperature and system will keep it constant so you don’t have to mind it anymore).

While the following aren’t unique to the EX, it’s big of Kia to include these to make everyone driving the Stonic experience these features:

• An eight-inch touchscreen with a USB port and six cabin speakers
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 60:40 full-flat folding second-row seats

Safety features of the EX come with a rear camera display with dynamic guidelines, rear sensors (exclusive), driver and front passenger airbags, ABS (anti-lock braking system), electronic stability control that uses automatic braking of individual wheels to prevent the vehicle from spinning out or skidding (exclusive), hill start assist (exclusive), and immobilizer (exclusive).

Last but not the least, only the EX comes with the two-tone color options of Black/Flame Orange, Black/Flash Yellow, or Black/Clear White.

In retrospect, while it shares plenty of features with the two other trims, there are several key exterior elements, interior amenities, and safety features that not only increases its aesthetic appeal and overall value, more importantly, it makes the whole driving experience more pleasant, easier, and more secure, which makes the EX trim the one, true super Stonic.

Photos from Kia Philippines