Kia Stonic

FIRST DRIVE Long-running cross-over gets third facelift to keep it competitive with newer rivals. Is the Stonic a match for them?

- Max Adams [e-mail]

A LOT has changed since 2017, but one thing that has remained constant is the Kia Stonic's presence in showrooms.

Now, the small SUV has had its third major update to try to stay competitive against an onslaught of newer rivals.

Many of them persist with petrol engines, but the majority, including the Stonic, get mild-hybrid assistance to boost fuel economy. Others, such as the Renault 4 EV, have shunned fossil fuels totally.

The latest Stonic now looks a little chunkier with its restyled bumpers, which have increased the overall length by 25mm, so it’s a relief that front and rear parking sensors and a camera are standard.

The Stonic is one of the smaller cars in its class, and with the Dacia Duster and Volkswagen T-Roc all growing in size, it feels like a jacked-up supermini in comparison, so those after a commanding driving position may be disappointed.

This Kia is actually closer in size to the popular Ford Puma, and looks pretty good value against Ford's big-seller. Starting at £21,845 in Pure form, the Stonic is more than £4,500 cheaper than its rival. In fact, the range-topping GT-Line S, which only comes as an automatic, costs less than the most affordable automatic version of the Puma.