2018 Kia Stonic Revealed; Subcompact Newcomer Hungry for Your Kids and Pets

After Hyundai dropped the curtain on its B-segment Kona crossover last week, corporate cousin Kia wasn’t far behind, pulling the wraps off its own new subcompact crossover earlier today.

The Stonic, which will go on sale in Europe in the third quarter of this year, rides atop the same platform as the Kona, but arguably wears it better. Sporting a more cohesive design, a sharp, contemporary face, and headlights in all the right places, the Stonic aims to gra Kia a slice of the growing subcompact utility vehicle market. In Europe, the segment is expected to grow to more than 10 percent of all new sales in just a few years.

That’s money Kia wants to take home to Korea. It’s not just overtaxed European buyers on Kia’s hit list, either; automakers are hurriedly adding missing CUVs to their North American lineups to boost sales and market share.

Speaking purely from a continental standpoint, Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe, claimed in a statement, “By volume, the B-SUV market is expected to overtake the C-SUV segment by 2020.” B-segment buyers, he said, are attracted from many other segments, making a subcompact crossover an attractive vehicle to add to a lineup.

Compared to the questionable face adorning the Kona, Kia’s Stonic appears much cleaner. While the two bodies are similar — yes, you can order that roof (minus the basket-handle B-pillar) in a different color — Kia’s new offering makes better use of its allotted body cladding. No messy spillover from the wheel arches here. Inside, everything appears tasteful, well-positioned and uncluttered, with a hint of sporty flair. Body colors abound in the cabin.

Kia mentions the Stonic’s “European-tuned” steering and suspension, which was tailored to give the little CUV a sportier ride, as well as the use of high-strength steel (which comprises 51 percent of the body) during its development. Remember Kia’s plan to make itself seen as the exciting brand? This is a mild part of that blueprint. The Kia Stinger represents the other end of the scale.

In Europe, Kia promises 20 two-tone color combinations. Will Americans also be able to go hog-wild with the palette when the model appears late this year? Time will tell, but “global” models carry that designation for a reason.

Under the hood of the Stonic, in Europe and overseas, at least, lies a bevy of small engines you won’t see this side of any ocean. Gasoline engines displacing 1.0, 1.25 and 1.4 liters join a 1.6-liter diesel as the overseas powerplants. Over here, we’re likely to see a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder or a turbocharged 1.6-liter.

Kia hasn’t announced an on-sale date or U.S. pricing for the model, as Europe comes first. We’ll likely first see the Stonic in the flesh at the Frankfurt auto show in September. Hopefully then we’ll learn more of model’s specifications, including more details on Kia’s claim of “class-leading” shoulder room.

[Images: Kia]