Kia Stonic

Raised-ride crossover for the gravel approach to Njeguši and Lovćen

Compact Crossover

A slightly higher-riding alternative to a hatchback, takes the rutted spur roads around Njeguši and the Lovćen back approaches without scraping.

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At a glance

Seats

Gearbox

Manual

Fuel

Petrol

Luggage

3 bags

Boot

352 L (1,155 L seats folded)

Economy

51 mpg

Who is this car for?

Renters who want crossover sight-lines and a bit of ground clearance for the side-roads around Podgorica upper bay and the Lovćen approach, without paying full-SUV money.

Weekend trippers to Njeguši
Durmitor day-trippers
Photographers chasing ridge viewpoints

Best regional use

Higher seating position means easier viewing over region parapet walls, the 182 mm ride height clears the stone ruts on the old Njeguši ham-smoker lane, and the 352-litre boot handles a family Durmitor hiking gear without folding seats.

On the road

Behind the wheel

The Stonic is Kia's sub-4.2 metre crossover, a Rio hatchback on slightly taller suspension with more macho bodywork and a higher H-point. On a Podgorica Airport rental the 1.0 T-GDi 100 hp three-cylinder petrol is the standard spec, paired with a six-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It is not a 4x4 and nobody pretends otherwise; the appeal at TGD is the higher seating position when you are loading luggage from a high airport trolley, a little more ground clearance than a Clio, and a useful 352-litre boot. The cabin plastics are honest rather than soft-touch, the touchscreen runs CarPlay cleanly, and the seats are supportive after a long-haul leg.

On Podgorica roads

From TGD the Stonic is the pick when the inland week includes rougher tarmac. The 70 km run north to Ostrog uses the M-2 and M-9 and finishes on a serpentine that has broken bitumen above 700 m, where a Clio's low ride crashes through and the Stonic absorbs. Same story on the unsealed final kilometre of the Old Bar approach, 65 km south down the Sozina tunnel route. For longer day-trips the Stonic sits comfortably at 120 km/h on the Smokovac motorway up to Kolašin even with four adults plus arrivals luggage on board, and takes the Albanian border crossing at Hani i Hotit (30 km east) without complaint.

Space and load

The 352-litre boot is larger than a Rio's and matters for the family arriving at TGD with a full carousel load. Four 30-litre packs, boots, shell jackets and a small cool-box for a Durmitor weekend fit seats-up without compressing anything. Fold the 60/40 bench and the 1,155-litre capacity handles a pair of road bikes with front wheels off, or a full set of SUP gear for a Skadar Lake day from the airport base. The high load lip is the one irritation; it makes hoisting a heavy checked case from a low airport trolley harder than in the Megane, but is a fair trade for the raised ride on the inland legs.

Rutted spur road up to Kolašin above Podgorica — The Kolašin approach above the capital, a little extra ground clearance keeps the Stonic composed where a Clio scrapes.

Best journeys for this car

The Stonic's natural TGD customer is the active renter with a mixed brief: two or three day trips a week into the back roads above Podgorica, a weekend up at Žabljak for hiking, occasional runs across to Shkodër in Albania. It also suits families where the kids are old enough to hike but small enough that the higher step into the cabin speeds up getting everyone belted in after a tiring flight. Couples who rented a hatch on a previous Montenegro trip and wanted a bit more height for the inland passes rate it. Local providers offer city delivery and airport pickups; unlimited mileage is sensible for a touring week.

Practical notes

Real-world petrol economy is around 6.0 L/100 km in mixed driving, worse than the Clio's 5.8 because the Stonic carries more mass and presents a larger frontal area to the wind on the Sozina tunnel run. The 45-litre tank still delivers over 700 km between fills. Length of 4.14 m is easy in TGD long-term parking (€5 per day) and at Podgorica's central pay bays; the higher seating position makes forward visibility a class better than the Clio, which helps at the kerbside handover in front of arrivals. Front-wheel drive is fine year-round around the airport; chains are legally required on inland passes between November and March.

The verdict

Choose the Stonic when your TGD-based week routinely involves unsealed roads, higher mountain approaches, or simply a seating position that makes loading from an airport trolley easier. Skip it if your week is entirely M-2 and Podgorica city, a Clio costs less to fuel and parks smaller.