Kia Stonic prices and details released

Kia's new Stonic small SUV will go on sale in Ireland at the end of October at a starting price of €18,599, writes Brian Byrne from Berlin.

There will be four engine options, a 1.25 84hp petrol for the entry K1 grade, a 100hp 1.4 petrol and 110hp 1.6 diesel in the K2 and K3 grades, and a 120hp 1.0 turbo petrol in the top K4 grade.

According to Head of Marketing & PR for Kia Ireland Aidan Doyle, the 1.4 petrol is expected to be the top selling engine variant. James Brooks, MD of Kia Ireland, says he anticipates that upwards of 1,000 units of Stonic will be sold in 2018. He added that his expectation is 74pc of sales will be petrol.

All versions will have as standard a 7-inch touchscreen for entertainment and information management, speed limiter and cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, and a spare wheel.

The K2 grade adds, among other things, projection fog lamps, folding mirrors and roof rack. The K3 specification includes a suite of driving aids, heated front seats, sat-nav and digital audio radio and a rear-view camera. Personalisation with contrasting roof and body colours will be available in the K3 and K4 grades.

The top spec K4, in addition to the 120hp engine gets push-button start, blind spot vehicle detection, and fully automatic climate control.

The top price for the car, entering a very competitive arena, will be €24,599, for either the K3 diesel or the K4 turbo petrol.

Driving in the countryside outside Berlin demonstrated an easy to drive car with good accommodation for four adults. A stint on a handling track on an old WW2 aerodrome suggested that the Stonic is a nimble and accurate performer, especially in tight and difficult conditions.

The main competitors in the Irish market are the Renault Captur, Opel's Mokka X, the Peugeot 2008, and Nissan's Juke which is due to be brought out in a new generation soon.

A First Drive review will follow.