The Kia Stonic, a compact crossover that has flown largely under the radar for nearly a decade, is receiving a major refresh for 2025. This significant update aims to invigorate its presence in the highly competitive small crossover market by bringing its aesthetics and interior technology in line with Kia's latest design philosophy. While its powertrain options remain consistent, the comprehensive visual and cabin enhancements are poised to redefine its appeal, ensuring it no longer remains an easily forgotten contender.
This strategic overhaul by Kia is a clear indication of their commitment to refreshing their product portfolio, even for models that haven't garnered widespread attention. By adopting a more assertive design language and integrating advanced in-car technology, the Stonic is positioned to appeal to a broader audience. The changes reflect a desire to offer a more contemporary and unified brand experience, aligning even the less prominent models with the forward-looking vision seen in Kia's newer, more acclaimed vehicles.
Refined Aesthetics and Advanced Interior
The 2025 Kia Stonic boasts a striking new look, integrating aggressive styling cues from Kia's electric vehicle range. Its front fascia now features sharp LED lighting and redesigned bumpers that lend it a more robust and commanding presence. The rear also receives similar updates, contributing to an overall bolder and more rugged aesthetic. Complementing these exterior changes are fresh wheel designs and two new vibrant color options, Adventurous Green and Yacht Blue, offering a broader spectrum of personalization for buyers.
Inside the cabin, the transformation is even more pronounced. The Stonic's interior has been thoroughly modernized to mirror Kia's latest designs, highlighted by a prominent widescreen display that seamlessly integrates both the 12.3-inch instrument cluster and infotainment system. This technological leap enhances connectivity and user experience. Furthermore, new steering wheel designs for both base and GT-Line models elevate the driving ergonomics and visual appeal. However, a notable shift is the replacement of traditional physical climate controls with a toggle-based touchscreen system, a change that some users might find less intuitive. Despite this, the extensive interior overhaul significantly elevates the Stonic's perceived quality and technological sophistication.
Consistent Performance and Market Outlook
Under the hood, the 2025 Kia Stonic maintains its established powertrain options, ensuring familiar performance characteristics. It continues to offer a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, available in two power outputs: 99bhp for the standard variant and a more potent 113bhp when paired with a mild-hybrid system. Both engine configurations can be mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, providing flexibility to cater to different driving preferences and efficiency requirements. This consistency in powertrain reflects a focus on reliability and proven technology, rather than introducing new mechanical complexities.
While Kia has yet to confirm a precise launch date, the updated Stonic is expected to reach markets globally in the near future. Hyundai's affirmation of the Stonic's continued global presence underscores its importance within the brand's diverse vehicle lineup. The comprehensive facelift is designed not only to refresh its appearance but also to enhance its competitiveness within the highly saturated compact crossover segment. It remains to be seen how these strategic updates will influence its market reception, but the aim is clearly to make the Stonic a more noticeable and attractive option on roads worldwide, offering a blend of modern design, enhanced interior comfort, and dependable performance.
Mercedes-Benz Reshapes Its Electric Future: A Bold Turn for the EQE Line
Mercedes Reimagines Its EV Path
Mercedes-Benz is currently undergoing a significant reassessment of its electric vehicle endeavors. The company's recent challenges with its electric vehicle lineup stem from a combination of factors, including a general slowdown in EV market demand and a perceived lack of appeal in the distinctive, futuristic design of its EQ models among traditional customers. This re-evaluation marks a pivotal moment in the brand's electric mobility journey.
The EQE's Short-Lived Journey
In a recent development, Mercedes-Benz temporarily halted new orders for several of its electric vehicles, including the mid-size EQE Sedan and EQE SUV. Now, further insights reveal that these lower-selling electric models are slated to cease production entirely by the upcoming year. This move underscores the brand's rapid response to market dynamics and consumer preferences, especially regarding its electric offerings.
Sales Performance: EQE Versus Competitors
The EQE models have faced considerable challenges in the market, particularly when juxtaposed with the highly acclaimed E-Class and electric rivals. Unlike the seamless integration seen between the BMW 5 Series and its electric counterpart, the i5, the EQE struggled to capture the essence of its E-Class heritage, both in aesthetics and driving experience. With only 2,300 EQEs sold in the first half of 2025, marking a substantial 74.5% year-over-year decline, the performance significantly lags behind the BMW i5, which saw a more modest 30% decline with 3,333 units sold in the same period. This stark contrast highlights the challenges Mercedes-Benz has encountered in positioning the EQE as a compelling electric alternative.
Future Electric Offerings and Platform Evolution
As Mercedes-Benz fine-tunes its electric vehicle roadmap, it appears that electric versions of the C-Class and GLC models will assume the role of indirect successors to the EQE and EQE SUV. While these models traditionally occupy the compact segment, distinct from the mid-size EQE, this strategic shift mirrors Mercedes-Benz's recent consolidation efforts, such as combining the C-Class and E-Class Coupes into the new CLE. These forthcoming electric C-Class and GLC variants are anticipated to leverage the new 800V MB.EA-M platform, promising enhanced packaging and performance. Notably, earlier plans for an EQE facelift, which included an upgrade to an 800V electric architecture and improved motors, are now seemingly abandoned, aligning with the brand's decision to phase out the current EQE line.
Strategic Realignment in Naming and Design
Mercedes-Benz is also poised to refine its naming conventions for electric vehicles. The emerging strategy involves electric and internal combustion engine large sedans sharing a common S-Class designation, signaling a departure from separate model names like the EQS. This consolidation is expected to extend across other model tiers, reflecting a broader intent to align electric variants more closely with their traditional counterparts. This adjustment underscores the brand's recognition of a persistent consumer preference for the classic Mercedes aesthetic and feel, regardless of the powertrain technology. Ultimately, the EQE may be remembered as a rare strategic miscalculation for the esteemed German manufacturer, a model designed to appeal to a new, tech-savvy audience but which ultimately failed to resonate with the core desires of Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts for a vehicle that embodies the timeless qualities of the brand.
Volkswagen, a brand synonymous with \"the people's car,\" is poised to introduce an innovative electric crossover designed to appeal to a wider audience. This highly anticipated vehicle, still in its conceptual stage, will break cover on December 7th, making its public debut shortly thereafter at the prestigious IAA Mobility Show in Munich. This strategic move highlights Volkswagen's commitment to delivering more accessible electric vehicles, building upon the foundation laid by its existing ID series.
The forthcoming electric crossover is envisioned as a derivative of the previously revealed ID.2all concept, a compact five-door hatchback that garnered significant attention in 2023. Building on that successful design, Volkswagen has also explored a performance-oriented GTI version, albeit as a concept. The new crossover will utilize a front-wheel-drive configuration of the versatile MEB platform, distinguishing it from larger, more expensive ID models that typically feature rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.
While the new EV's official name remains under wraps, it's expected to be positioned as a more economical alternative to the current ID.4. Volkswagen aims for a starting price around €25,000, making it significantly more affordable than the ID.3, which commands a price tag exceeding €30,000 in Germany. This aggressive pricing strategy reflects the company's ambition to democratize electric mobility and capture a larger share of the burgeoning EV market.
Early design sketches of the concept showcase a robust and somewhat boxy aesthetic, differentiating it from the sleeker ID.4. Notable design elements include oversized wheels and distinctive light bars at both the front and rear. Additionally, the illuminated Volkswagen emblem at the back, a feature already seen on some production models, adds a touch of modern sophistication. While the concept art depicts smooth, handle-less doors, the production version is anticipated to incorporate conventional door handles for practicality.
In terms of dimensions, the new crossover is likely to be marginally larger than the ID.2all, which measures approximately 4050 mm in length, 1812 mm in width, and 1530 mm in height, with a 2600 mm wheelbase. This size places it in a similar category to the T-Cross, but its dedicated EV platform promises a more spacious and optimized interior. Performance-wise, the ID.2all concept featured a front-mounted motor generating 222 horsepower, enabling a 0-100 km/h acceleration in under seven seconds and a top speed of 160 km/h. While specific figures for the crossover variant are yet to be confirmed, similar performance characteristics are anticipated.
Volkswagen's foray into more affordable electric crossovers signals a clear intent to broaden its appeal. This move comes at a time when the VW Group is experiencing substantial growth in its electric vehicle sales, with a remarkable 47 percent increase in the first half of the year, totaling 465,500 units shipped. The company's commitment to affordable EVs extends further, with plans for an even more budget-friendly ID.1 model, projected to be priced at €20,000 and launching in 2026, solidifying Volkswagen's leadership in the mass-market EV segment.