Kia's Upcoming Compact SUV Finally Has a Name and It's Kind of Odd
Kia has a compact SUV debuting later this year, and it finally has a name.
The Korean automaker has reportedly filed a trademark for the Stonic nameplate and Kia World reports that the company’s R&D center in Korea has been working on the model for quite some time. The Kia Stonic has been developed alongside a new Hyundai small SUV, which spy photographers have caught testing around the world.
The vehicles will compete with other compact crossovers like the Honda HR-V, Chevrolet Trax, and Nissan Juke. Both models are expected to share core powertrain technology but like other models across Kia and Hyundai’s lineups, expect them to look drastically different inside and out.
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It’s unknown if the Korean automakers will offer either model with all-wheel drive, but do expect to see a range of small, fuel-efficient turbo engines under the hood.
The Kia Stonic is rumored to debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show this September before heading to dealerships either later this year or early next year. In the U.S., expect to see it make an appearance at the L.A. Auto Show.
[Source: Kia World]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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NA or bust!