There’s something oddly comforting about driving through Hildesheim Forest. The roads curve and roll with the terrain, shaded by oaks and beeches that dance to the wind’s tune. Birds scatter as the tires whisper across damp asphalt, and the sunlight, when it manages to pierce through the dense green canopy, paints golden streaks on the bonnet. It’s where I brought the Kia Stonic 1.0 T, GDI 120 GT Line for a proper test, a mini SUV that’s quietly carved a space for itself in the bustling B, segment.
The Stonic isn’t new, but this GT Line version with the mild, hybrid engine and dual, clutch transmission marks a peak in its evolutionary journey. I’ve driven the Renault Captur, the Peugeot 2008, even the Opel Crossland, not all of them in forests, but enough to know the DNA of this segment. The Stonic? It surprised me. Here’s why.
Living with the Looks: Stylish, Subtle, and Just the Right Size
The Kia Stonic doesn’t scream for attention, and maybe that’s the most refreshing part. Sure, it’s got the signature Kia tiger, nose grille, LED daytime running lights, and in GT Line trim, a few fake air vents that are more cosmetic than functional. But it’s taut, clean, and confident in its design. The two, tone color scheme, now increasingly rare, gives it a sense of youthful flair, mine came in a zesty yellow with a black roof, which turned heads even in the sleepy lanes of Diekholzen.
At 4.14 meters long, the Stonic is compact enough to sneak into tight parking spots but tall enough to offer the elevated seating that SUV buyers crave. On the forest roads, where space can sometimes feel claustrophobic under tree tunnels, the Stonic felt perfectly sized, not too wide, not too low. Its 17, inch wheels struck a fine balance between style and practicality, and though the ride height isn’t meant for boulders, it handled gravel shoulders and forest detours with minimal fuss.
Cabin Time: Functional, Familiar, But Not Fancy
Slide into the driver’s seat, and it’s clear that Kia didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. The layout is straightforward, with hard plastics dominating the dashboard and door panels. You won’t find soft, touch suede or ambient lighting here, but you will get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an 8, inch touchscreen that’s responsive, well, placed, and easy to use. I synced my phone within seconds and streamed navigation via Google Maps without a hiccup.
Seats in the GT Line are trimmed in man, made leather with light gray accents, not plush, but comfortable even after two hours of continuous driving through the forest’s undulating terrain. I do wish the cabin had more sound insulation. At highway speeds, wind and tire noise seep in, and the 3, cylinder engine hum isn’t exactly subtle under heavy load. But around town or within 80 km/h on the scenic Bundesstraßen, it was composed and quiet enough.
Storage is clever. Cup holders up front, a decently sized glovebox, and door bins that can swallow 1, liter bottles made life easier. The 352, liter boot swallowed my mountain bike’s front wheel, helmet, and gear bag, and when I folded the rear seats, the 1,155 liters of space let me toss in the folded frame with ease. This wouldn’t work in a Kia Rio, not without wrestling the bike in. So yes, the Stonic does hold an edge here.
Heart of the Matter: That 1.0L Turbo Mild Hybrid Engine
Let’s talk performance, the bit that matters most once the scenic photos are clicked and the road gets real. The 1.0, liter turbocharged three, cylinder engine under the bonnet of this GT Line version is good for 120 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque, peaking at just 2,000 rpm. It’s not a powerhouse, but in a car weighing just 1,260 kg, it moves with surprising zest.
The 7, speed dual, clutch automatic is tuned more for comfort than for aggression. There’s a noticeable hesitation when you stomp the throttle, a brief pause before the gear catches up to your command. But in regular driving, especially in the stop, and, go rhythm of Hildesheim’s rural edge, it’s smooth and intuitive. I found myself enjoying the balance, low, end punch when needed, quiet composure when cruising.
Climbing the steeper gradients near Sorsum, I pushed it harder. From 60 to 100 km/h, it took just 6.3 seconds, impressive for a mini SUV. More importantly, the steering is tight and communicative. It’s not hot, hatch sharp, but it tells you what’s happening beneath the wheels. The body roll is there, but it’s well, controlled, and the suspension, while firm, handled mid, corner bumps with confidence.
The ESP system impressed me too. During an unplanned evasive maneuver (a deer darted across the path), the car kept its composure, no dramatic skids or shimmies. It won’t win track day awards, but for daily driving, that counts more.
Real, World Fuel Use and Comfort Trade, offs
Kia claims 5.7 liters per 100 km as per WLTP standards. My mixed driving, rural roads, town traffic, and a short autobahn stretch, returned an average of 6.5 L/100 km, almost exactly matching the ADAC Ecotest result. On the autobahn at 130 km/h, it crept up to 7.8 L/100 km, which isn’t surprising given the small engine working overtime.
There’s no hybrid battery you can plug in here. It’s a 48V mild, hybrid system, meaning it helps smooth out start, stop transitions and assists during light acceleration, but doesn’t power the car by itself. No all, wheel drive, no diesel, no electric version. Just honest petrol, powered propulsion, and for some buyers, that’s still the preferred flavor.
Comfort? Let’s call it firm, European. The suspension is tuned to keep things planted, which means you feel the texture of the road more than in a VW T, Cross. On the smoother surfaces of the forest loop, it was fine, but on cobbled village streets, the ride got jittery. Long hauls might require a few coffee stops.
Hildesheim Forest: The Unexpected Test Lab
The best part of driving here isn’t the destination, it’s the act of driving itself. Rolling through the B243, threading the Stonic through sharp bends and blind rises, I found a rhythm. The car’s compact footprint meant I could position it exactly where I wanted. Even with light drizzle falling, the front, wheel, drive layout never once lost grip. Kia may say this car is city, focused, but don’t underestimate its rural versatility.
At one point, I pulled over near a moss, covered bench deep in the woods. Birds chirped. The engine ticked gently as it cooled. And for a moment, I realized, I wasn’t missing my larger SUV at all. The Stonic had gotten me here just fine, with just enough power, just enough space, and a whole lot of simplicity.
Technical Specifications: Kia Stonic 1.0 T, GDI GT Line 48V Mild, Hybrid DCT7
Every technical specification is obtained directly from the official Kia website for accuracy.
| Specification | Detail |
| Engine Type | Petrol, 3, cylinder (Mild Hybrid) |
| Displacement | 998 cc |
| Max Power | 120 hp (88 kW) @ 6,000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 200 Nm @ 2,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 7, speed dual, clutch automatic |
| Drive Type | Front, wheel drive |
| 0, 100 km/h | 10.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 185 km/h |
| Combined Fuel Consumption (WLTP) | 5.7 L/100 km |
| Test Fuel Consumption (ADAC) | 6.5 L/100 km |
| CO₂ Emissions (WLTP) | 129 g/km |
| Luggage Capacity (Seats Up) | 352 liters |
| Luggage Capacity (Seats Down) | 1,155 liters |
| Vehicle Length × Width × Height | 4,140 mm × 1,760 mm × 1,505 mm |
| Curb Weight (EU) | 1,260 kg |
| Towing Capacity (Braked) | 900 kg |
| Base Price (GT Line DCT) | €29,000 |
| Warranty | 7 years or 150,000 km |
Conclusion: Kia’s Honest Take on the Urban, SUV Craze
The Kia Stonic doesn’t try to be more than it is. It’s not a show, off, not a gimmick machine, and certainly not pretending to be a full, size SUV. It’s a smartly packaged, well, equipped urban crossover with just enough tech and power to handle life beyond city limits.
In a segment where form often outweighs function, the Stonic leans into honesty. You won’t find plug, in trickery or Tesla, challenging screens. But you will find a car that’s nimble, efficient, and surprisingly fun to drive, especially when the road turns narrow and the forest gets deep.
Is the Kia Stonic a good family car?
If your family isn’t four adults with luggage, yes. It handles two adults and two kids just fine, with weekend gear in the boot. For long vacations, space might be tight.
Does the Kia Stonic support wireless Apple CarPlay?
No, you’ll need to plug in your phone via USB. But once connected, it works flawlessly.
Is the mild, hybrid system noticeable in Stonic?
Not in terms of electric driving, it’s only there to support the engine slightly. You’ll notice smoother restarts at traffic lights and marginally better efficiency.
