2021 Kia Stonic EX Review | Philkotse Philippines

The Philippine automotive industry has been greatly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Last 2020, car sales in the country went into a nosedive due to the lack of economic activity and low demand. However, despite the challenges brought upon by the pandemic, car brands in the Philippines remain resilient and determined to bounce back.

2021 Kia Stonic Quick Drive Review: Future Best-Seller? | Philkotse Philippines

Kia Philippines is among the car brands that are hoping to regain some of its losses in 2020. To put things in perspective, Kia sold 2,129 units last year, which translates to a 0.9 percent market share. Needless to say, the brand is determined to have a better run this 2021.

Kia PH president Manny Aligada said that the company is targeting annual sales of 5,000 units, and is looking to get at least two-percent market share. The brand plans to do this by making its market presence even more evident by expanding its dealership network. Kia PH also did its homework to provide hassle-free aftersales service as it partnered with international courier DHL to ensure parts availability nationwide.

Say hello to the 2021 Kia Stonic

More importantly, Kia PH aims to offer vehicles that are priced competitively and geared towards a specific target market. Speaking of which, the brand is offering a new vehicle that aims to give Kia an iconic comeback in the Philippines. Say hello to the 2021 Kia Stonic.

The Stonic is Kia’s challenger in the subcompact crossover segment that includes rivals such as the Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Venue, MG ZS, among others. The Stonic sits below the Kia Seltos, which has been in the local market since November 2019. As such, can the Stonic help Kia PH’s goal of achieving its 5,000 unit sales target this 2021? To know the answer to that, we took the 2021 Kia Stonic for a road trip down south.

The Kia Stonic comes with a bold exterior design that features the right balance of having a sporty and rugged appeal. It also has a confident stance and flaunts distinctive design details of the Kia brand. There’s no denying that the Kia Stonic is meant to attract the young demographic of car buyers.

The Kia Stonic comes with a sharp-looking front end

Up front, it is fitted with sharp-looking projector headlights that are complemented by the brand’s signature tiger-nose grille. It also gets an angular bumper that gives the Stonic an imposing look while the daytime running lights add to the vehicle’s overall bold exterior. You can also notice that the Stonic has a silver skid garnish, which gives the vehicle a subtle rugged appeal.

The 16-inch alloy wheels add extra style points to the Kia Stonic

Turning at the side, the first thing that you’ll probably notice is the Stonic EX variant’s two-tone exterior paint. I personally like the two-tone white and black paint scheme of the test unit that was assigned to me. The said color combo might look simple or plain for some but that’s what makes the white and black paint scheme stand out. It looks simple but it gives the Stonic a premium demeanor. Plus, it reminds me of a stormtrooper.

Of note, the two-tone exterior paint is exclusive to the top-spec EX trim. The Stonic also has roof rails that bear similarities to the one fitted in its bigger sibling, the Seltos. On the other hand, the side profile of the vehicle features crisp character lines while the black cladding gives a hint that the Stonic can do some rough road driving. Well, driving through rough terrain is manageable thanks to its 185mm of ground clearance.

The rear gets a muscular bumper

The rear of the Stonic is more subtle as compared to its striking front end. However, it doesn’t lack style points and it doesn’t disrupt the overall look of the vehicle. The rear is rather designed to have a more muscular appeal. The Stonic’s rear bumper gives the vehicle the right amount of thickness, making it look confident and surefooted. The vehicle is also fitted with rear combination lamps, a fin-type antenna, and a tailgate-mounted spoiler.

Which color’s your favorite?

Overall, the Kia Stonic’s exterior has the right balance of having a sporty and rugged appeal. The Stonic doesn’t need to have extra gimmicks to get your attention because it’s a subcompact crossover that comes with a well-thought design. Indeed, Kia PH appears to be on point with its Style That’s Iconic tagline for the Stonic.

Inside, the 2021 Kia Stonic comes with a dark interior theme along with glossy black accents and silver trims. Unlike its striking exterior, the Stonic’s cabin is simple and straightforward. There’s nothing much going on in the Stonic’s interior but that’s already expected to keep its price point competitive and attractive.

In addition, the cabin is filled with hard plastics as seen on the dashboard and door panels. However, despite its simple and straightforward design, Kia made sure that the Stonic’s interior comes with essential features that will make your daily drives comfortable.

Straightforward and simple

The Stonic’s dashboard is accented by glossy black trims, which adds flair to its rather simple look. It also adds texture to the dashboard that makes the overall look of the interior a notch higher. The Stonic also comes with a three-spoke steering made from polyurethane, a material commonly used for value-for-money cars.

Of note, the Stonic’s steering wheel looks similar to other Kia vehicles for sale such as the Picanto and the Soluto. It is equipped with audio and phone controls as well as a trip meter button that allows you to view essential vehicle information such as your average fuel consumption. The steering wheel comes with a manual tilt-only adjustment, a feature that’s expected for the Stonic’s price point.

Looks similar to the steering wheel of the Picanto and the Soluto

Like its Picanto and Soluto siblings, the instrument cluster of the Stonic has a white on black design. The analog speedometer is clear even in daytime driving. The Stonic’s cluster also features a 3.5-inch digital multi-function display that’s placed at the center of the speedometer. Here you can have an overview of your average fuel consumption, and it also functions as the vehicle’s trip computer.

The Stonic offers enough leg- and head-room

In terms of seats, the Stonic has cloth or fabric as its main material. It gives enough cushion and support to make your drives comfortable. However, I noticed that it takes a bit of time to set and find your preferred driving position. The Stonic can accommodate up to five individuals including the driver.

The rear seats offer generous leg- and head-room especially when there are only two passengers seated at the back. To add, the Stonic comes with several cup holders that are found on the door panels and the center console.

>>> Related: Kia Stonic already among company’s 3 best-sellers in PH for 2020

The 2021 Kia Stonic is integrated with several tech and safety features that make it a bang-for-the-buck vehicle. It comes with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen that’s integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. As such, the Stonic’s headunit offers seamless phone integration that will be useful in making your drives more convenient and safer.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard across all Stonic variants

The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility allow you to mirror your phone’s operating system to the infotainment touchscreen, giving you access to apps such as Waze, Spotify, among others. Of note, the said feature is standard across all variants of the 2021 Kia Stonic.

The infotainment touchscreen also functions as a rear camera when you shift to reverse. It has static guidelines that move simultaneously in the direction of the steering wheel. This gives you a better view when you’re parking the vehicle.

Parking the Stonic in tight spaces is not a problem

The Stonic also comes with six-audio speakers that have decent sound quality considering the car’s price point. As such, the Apple CarPlay and six speakers setup kept me company throughout the duration of the drive.

In terms of safety, the 2021 Kia Stonic is equipped with driver and front passenger airbags, an anti-lock brake system, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, Isofix, Child Lock, and an immobilizer.

The 2021 Kia Stonic EX is powered by a 1.4-liter gasoline engine that puts out 99 hp and 132 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Stonic’s engine delivers adequate power especially when it’s driven around the city. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, and efficiently at around the 2,000rpm mark. As such, the 1.4-liter engine and the six-speed automatic gearbox give the Stonic the capability it needs to be an efficient urban vehicle.

However, the Stonic’s acceleration from a standstill takes a second or two before it picks up but not to the point of compromising the overall driving experience. The Stonic also has a light steering feel, and it responds well even with minimal inputs. This comes in handy when you need to go through tight city streets. It also helps parking the vehicle easier and more comfortable.

The Stonic delivers adequate power

The ride comfort of the Stonic is also one of the things you’ll appreciate. It can absorb impacts within reason, and it can take on the dilapidated roads along EDSA. Moreover, the Stonic can drive through rough terrain and enormous speed bumps in the city easily due to its 185mm ground clearance.

On the other hand, the 2021 Kia Stonic is stable and planted on the road when driven at highway speeds. The engine is relaxed when cruising at 100km/h and the rpm is at the 2500rpm mark. Passing slower vehicles on the expressway is manageable but you need to plan your overtakes for good measure. The Stonic can achieve more optimum overtakes when you use its manual mode.

The Stonic is stable when driven at highway speeds

Speaking of which, steep uphill roads can be a bit of a challenge for the Stonic’s default six-speed automatic transmission. I noticed this when we’re driving on the winding roads along Nasugbu, Batangas. However, this is where you can take advantage of the Stonic’s manual mode.

When the manual mode is engaged or used, the Stonic’s power delivery becomes better and more capable to tackle the winding roads.

The manual mode allows the Stonic to deliver a more spirited drive, giving you a more notable acceleration and better throttle response. As such, the Stonic’s 1.4-liter engine is designed by default with fuel efficiency in mind. But, its manual mode gives you the ability to have a more performance-oriented drive.

The Stonic's engine is designed by default with fuel efficiency in mind

To add, one of the surprising things about the Stonic is its ability to drive through corners. Despite its relatively high ground clearance, the Stonic has a tolerable body when driven at tight turns. This gives you confidence behind the wheel, and it makes the overall ride comfort commendable.

>>> Related: Kia PH powers the Stonic crossover with the 5S Formula

During the drive going to Nasugbu, Batangas, I was able to get a combined fuel economy of 10km/l. This includes a bit of city driving as well as highway run and driving at winding roads. On the other hand, when I drove the Stonic in the city, I was able to get 14 km/l while driving at an average of 40 km/h. The number increased to 17km/l when I drove the Stonic along the open highway at an average speed of 90 km/h.

The top-of-the-line 2021 Kia Stonic EX is a vehicle that comes with a distinctive look as well as value-packed features. The two-tone exterior paint adds flair and character to the overall appeal of the Stonic EX.

On the other hand, the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability is a key feature that could attract the young demographic of car buyers who more often than not values connectivity on the go.

2021 Kia Stonic

The Stonic’s engine can also yield notable fuel efficiency ratings that could mean fewer trips to the gas station. Moreover, the 2021 Kia Stonic comes with a 5-year vehicle warranty as well as a 5-year free 24/7 roadside assistance. You get all of that for a price tag of Php 925,000 for the top-spec Stonic EX.

Kia PH president Manny Aligada

With that in mind, the 2021 Stonic can indeed help Kia Philippines to achieve its annual sales target of 5,000 units. From the 5,000 unit sales target, Kia PH president Manny Aligada shared that the brand is expecting the Stonic to deliver 30- to 35-percent of its annual sales this year.

With that, Kia PH is expecting to have 1,500 to 1,750 Stonics by the end of the year. And from the looks of it, Kia might just be able to that.

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Q: How much is Kia Stonic in the Philippines?

A: The Kia Stonic is available in three variants in the Philippines. It has a starting price of Php 735,000 while the mid variant is at Php 835,000 and the top-of-the-line variant is at Php 925,000.

Q: Is Kia Stonic Fuel Efficient?

A: During our time with the Kia Stonic we got 14km/l while driving at an average speed of 40 km/h. On the open highway, we got 17km/l while driving at an average speed of 90 km/h.