[This article was first published on carbuyer.com.sg]
The facelifted Kia Stonic compact crossover has now arrived in Singapore, and introduces a new 1.0-litre mild hybrid option; prices start at S$90,999 with COE
The facelifted Kia Stonic compact crossover, which was first announced last year, has now gone on sale in Singapore, with prices starting from $90,999 inclusive of COE. The biggest update is the availability of a new 1.0-litre 48V mild hybrid drivetrain, while there are also improvements to the car’s safety and convenience features.
The mild hybrid version, which develops 120hp and 200Nm of torque, is one of two engine options that local Kia distributor Cycle & Carriage is offering, with the other being a 1.0-litre regular petrol engine with 100hp and 172Nm of torque.
Pricing for the 1.0 EX mild hybrid starts at S$96,999 including COE, while the SX variant is four grand extra at S$100,999 inclusive of COE.
The most affordable Stonic model is the non-mild hybrid 1.0 EX, which retails for S$90,999 with COE, and there is no upper-level SX trim available for that car.
Fuel consumption is rated at 4.7L/100km for the mild hybrid version, compared to 5.4L/100km for the non-mild hybrid car. More importantly, the Stonic remains pretty much under the S$100k price mark thanks to the Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES) – the efficient nature of both cars helping them net a S$15,000 rebate thanks to a VES A2 score.
The mild hybrid system on the Stonic features a 48V lithium-ion polymer battery that supplements the engine’s torque output with electric power. It also has a Mild-Hybrid Starter-Generator (MHSG) unit that is connected by a belt to the engine’s crankshaft, and provides electric power assistance under acceleration to reduce the load on the petrol engine, improving efficiency and reducing emissions in the process. Under braking, the MHSG can also recuperate energy from the crankshaft to recharge the battery.
Standard equipment on both include LED headlights, an 8-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and hill start assist. The SX adds to that a sunroof, fog lamps, a roof rack, 16-inch wheels, and driver safety features like blind spot warning and rear cross traffic collision warning and assistance.
The Stonic has been one of Kia’s strongest selling models locally, with C&C claiming to have sold over 1,000 units since its introduction here in early 2019. The updated Stonic faces stiff competition however, with fellow Korean brand Hyundai also recently introducing the facelifted version of its Kona, which is essentially the Stonic’s twin in terms of size. The Kona also holds an upper hand as it offers a pure electric version, but the Stonic might be more appealing to those who are not quite ready to go down the full EV route yet.
[Source article: carbuyer.com.sg/2021-facelifted-kia-stonic-singapore-launch-price/]
