Sister companies Kia and Hyundai are both in the process of developing a small crossover vehicle, both of which are set to hit the popular small SUV segment later this year.
We recently revealed spy shots of the upcoming small Kia SUV model, which is tentatively being called the Stonic.
The most recent spy shots showed the vehicle in heavy camouflage, but from what we can see today, it looks like it’s going to be a great looking model.
This will be Kia’s first entry into the small SUV segment, a smart move given how quickly the segment has been growing in Europe and Asia. It is now also starting to gain some real traction in the US.
It makes sense that Hyundai and Kia, as well as other automakers, are now testing the waters of the small SUV segment. What this means is the that Stonic is going to have some competition to deal with.
We thought it might be a good idea to look at the segment, and take a closer peek into the cars like Kia Stonic, which are as follows:
Kia Stonic rivals & competitors
Nissan Juke – This was actually the vehicle that started the segment a little over 5 years ago. It has been a sales success for Nissan, and the second-generation model will be hitting the market next year. The Juke is likely to be the biggest of the competitors of the Kia Stonic.
Renault Captur – This Kia Stonic rival is based on the Juke, and it has been a huge hit in Europe, going as far as landing in the top 10 best sellers in the region.
Mazda CX-3 – This model has become very popular, thanks in large part to its design, driving characteristics, and fuel economy. Another one that is sure to offer stiff competition.
Toyota C-HR – New to the segment, but one that is still sure to be a big rival. The Toyota powertrain used in this model is a winner, and the coupe styling is incredibly cool. It’s a FWD model only, but you can also get it as a hybrid.
Fiat 500X – This is certainly one of the better looking vehicles on the market, and this one comes with AWD and more passenger and cargo space than the Fiat 500 small hatchback.
Jeep Renegade – You can’t create a list of Kia Stonic rivals without mentioning the entry level model from Jeep. They don’t come much better as an off-road vehicle than this one.
Chevrolet Trax – Also known as the Opel Mokka in Europe and the Buick Encore in the US, this model is starting to gain popularity. Pricing is excellent, and it is loaded with a ton of features.
