Korean car brand Kia is making sure that Filipino motorists will be enthralled next month with their latest subcompact SUV, the Kia Stonic. According to Kia Philippines, the good-looking Stonic will be Kia’s entry for the small crossover segment in the PH market. This gives us an idea that the new Kia Stonic will directly compete with the Nissan Juke, Suzuki Jimny, Ford EcoSport, Honda HR-V, and Geely’s best-selling crossover Coolray.

The question is, why would Kia want to bring the Stonic if they launched the Seltos last year? Honestly, we don’t have a clear answer for that. Perhaps, Kia knows the right formula why they still wanted to add another competitive crossover in the country.

Looking at the new Stonic, you’ll notice the unique square-ish exterior body. The signature “tiger-nose” on the front grille is inspired by Kia’s chief designer Peter Schreyer. Driving is made easier thanks to Rear Parking Sensors and a Reverse Camera while Electronic Stability Control and Hill Start Assist ensure safety while on the move.

Kia is positioning the Stonic at a younger audience. Thus, it is packed with tech features to keep up with today’s connected lifestyle. Its touchscreen infotainment system boasts both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for easy connectivity while a plethora of storage spaces can store various items securely.

Now the big question is, what will be the engine of the new Stonic? Since this car has tons of displacement on the global market, we expect the Korean car brand will bring the 1.4-liter gasoline engine to compete with the top-tier B-segment crossover.

Without a doubt, it’s going to be an exciting clash in the local B-segment crossover. With the Stonic to arrived in Manila soon, we expect some manufacturers to take their next moved in the level of playing field. And besides, Kia still lives in their brand slogan “The Power to Surprise.”