Kia Stonic 2024 review
Photo: Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Kia Stonic has been quietly carving out a place in the UK's busy small-SUV class since 2017, and the 2024 model-year car remains one of the most affordable ways into the segment. Priced from £21,695 in '2' trim, it undercuts core rivals such as the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Ford Puma, yet every Stonic sold in the UK comes with Kia's seven-year/100,000-mile warranty as standard — a guarantee that costs extra or simply isn't available on most of its competitors.
Power comes from a single engine line: a 998cc 1.0-litre T-GDi three-cylinder turbocharged petrol. In '2' trim it produces 98bhp and 172Nm, driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. Move up to GT-Line and beyond and the engine gains 48V mild-hybrid assistance, lifting output to 118bhp with 200Nm on dual-clutch models, and unlocking a seven-speed DCT automatic option. Combined economy sits between roughly 49 and 51mpg depending on version, and CO2 emissions of 125–129g/km keep the first-year VED bill at a modest £200 for most versions.
Inside, the 2024 Stonic offers an 8.0-inch touchscreen with navigation on most trims, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and driver-assistance tech including forward collision avoidance, lane departure warning and automatic headlight control. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel appear on '3' and GT-Line S models. It is not the roomiest car in the class — the 352-litre boot trails a Juke or Captur — but rear legroom is respectable for the size and the cabin is logically laid out.
For UK buyers shopping on a budget, the Stonic's appeal is straightforward: honest pricing, a well-proven engine, low insurance groups (9 to 11 depending on trim) and that industry-leading warranty. Kia streamlined the grade line-up around the car's facelift period into simpler Pure, GT-Line and GT-Line S tiers, but the 2024 car's winning formula was already set — an affordable, easy-to-run small crossover with no pretensions about four-wheel drive and no hybrid-system complexity to worry about.
Related reviews: Kia Ceed 2024 review · Kia Ev3 2025 review · Kia Ev4 2025 review
UK price from: £21,695
Specifications
| Engine | 1.0-litre T-GDi 3-cylinder turbo petrol (998cc) |
| Power | 98 bhp (118 bhp with 48V MHEV on GT-Line and above) |
| Torque | 172 Nm (200 Nm on 118 bhp DCT models) |
| 0-62 mph | 10.4–10.9 seconds (depending on version) |
| Top speed | 111 mph (115 mph on 118 bhp versions) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual / 7-speed DCT automatic |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy (WLTP) | approx. 49–51 mpg combined (trim-dependent) |
| CO2 emissions | 125–129 g/km |
| Boot space | 352 litres (1,155 litres seats folded) |
| Kerb weight | from 1,195 kg |
| Insurance group | 9–11 (depending on trim) |
| Warranty | 7 years / 100,000 miles |
Features
- 1.0-litre T-GDi three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (98bhp; 118bhp with 48V mild-hybrid assistance on GT-Line and above)
- Six-speed manual gearbox standard; seven-speed dual-clutch (DCT) automatic available on selected trims
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with satellite navigation, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity
- Forward collision avoidance assist, lane departure warning and automatic headlight control across the range
- Heated front seats and heated steering wheel on '3' and GT-Line S trims
- 48V mild-hybrid system on GT-Line/GT-Line S for improved town economy and smoother stop-start
- 352-litre boot (1,155 litres with the rear seats folded); 45-litre fuel tank
- Kia's standard seven-year/100,000-mile UK warranty on every model
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £39.99 | Pattern part; fits 1.0 T-GDi 2024 models |
| Oil filter | £11.50 | OEM specification; service item |
| Cabin pollen filter | £14.99 | Annual service replacement |
| Wiper blade set (front) | £21.99 | 26in/16in flat-blade pair |
| Rear brake discs (pair) | £64.95 | Pattern part; OEM specification |
| Timing/auxiliary drive belt kit | £89.99 | Check service schedule before replacement |
Pros
- Exceptional value — from £21,695 it undercuts the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Ford Puma
- Seven-year/100,000-mile warranty comes as standard, unmatched by mainstream rivals
- Simple, proven 1.0 T-GDi engine with no complex full-hybrid system to maintain
- Low insurance groups (9–11) and around 50mpg make it cheap to run and insure
- GT-Line styling gives the car genuine showroom appeal at its price point
Cons
- Only 352 litres of boot space — noticeably less than the class best
- The facelift streamlined the range, but 2024 cars offer no hybrid or electric option as rivals electrify
- Rear headroom and legroom are tight for taller adults
- The 98bhp manual feels unhurried on motorway inclines when fully loaded
