Kia has announced that the latest versions of the funky Stonic will include a new mild hybrid variant, when it goes on sale in the UK towards the end of this year.

Kia has sensibly adopted an ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ approach, so there’s little to distinguish the 2021 model from the highly successful original on the outside, apart from newly designed full LED headlamps and a choice of 16-inch alloy wheels. But customers can choose from a new range of two-tone paint finishes.

Move inside and the 2021 Stonic gets a fresh higher-resolution 4.2-inch digital display in the instrument cluster and a larger eight-inch touchscreen. There are also additional interior customisation options.

However, the majority of the changes are beneath the bonnet with a range of more efficient powertrains including Kia’s new petrol 48V mild-hybrid powertrain along with a new clutch-by-wire intelligent manual transmission.

Depending on the trim level selected, the new Stonic will be available with a range of the latest-generation advanced driving assistance systems including forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian, vehicle and the recently introduced cyclist recognition.

The final specifications and costs will be announced nearer to the new Stonic’s arrival in UK showrooms in the last quarter of this year.