Skip advert
Advertisement

Kia comes out with the Shadows: new Kia Sportage, Picanto and Stonic special editions on sale

The new ‘Shadow’ specification offers unique interior colours and premium paint. First examples are due to arrive later this year

Kia has introduced a new ‘Shadow’ specification for the Kia Sportage, its best-selling mid-size SUV. A special Shadow version of the recently facelifted Kia Picanto city car and less fresh Kia Stonic small SUV arrive at the same time.

The Kia Shadow edition models are based on the mid-range ‘3’ trim level for each car, but come with exclusive styling details and interior colours, plus premium paint as standard, which Kia usually charges up to £650 extra for. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Kia Sportage Shadow is offered exclusively with a full-hybrid powertrain and comes in at £36,485. Shadow specification adds a unique Midnight Green interior pack, dark chrome finish to the car’s skid plates, and gloss black window trim and roof spoiler.

Like with the Kia EV6 Horizon launched earlier this year, the free premium paint for the Sportage Shadow is only available in a choice of three finishes: Experience Green, Phantom Black, or a new addition, Wolf Grey.

Meanwhile, standard kit includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, 18-inch alloy wheels, partial leather upholstery, heated seats front and rear, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist. Its full-hybrid powertrain uses a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a single electric motor to deliver 212bhp, 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds and up to 51.4mpg.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Kia Picanto ‘Shadow’ starts from £18,045 – just £500 more than the ‘3’ model it sits above. It features an Adventurous Green interior – yes, that’s the eyebrow-raising official name – with an eight-inch central touchscreens and 4.2-inch instrument panel, smartphone connectivity, wireless charging pad, automatic air-conditioning and reversing camera, among other kit.

Exterior paint options are limited to Adventurous Green, Astro Grey or Midnight Black, and under the bonnet is a 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 77bhp. It’s paired with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, or an automatic for an extra £700.

Finally, the Kia Stonic Shadow is priced from £22,995 and sports a unique set of grey 17-inch rims, blue contrast stitching on the faux leather seats and steering wheel, and blue elements for the centre console. Paint colours available include Midnight Black, Astro Grey and Smokey Blue – a new hue for the Dacia Sandero Stepway rival.

It also comes with an eight-inch touchscreen, plus sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, automatic air-conditioning, a reversing camera and LED headlamps. The Stonic’s 1.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine produces 98bhp and is offered with six-speed manual or dual-clutch auto transmissions.

All three ‘Shadow’ edition models are now available to order, and the examples are due to arrive with customers later this year. 

Want the latest car news in your inbox? Sign up to the free Auto Express email newsletter...

Skip advert
Advertisement
News reporter

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from quirky quadricycles to luxury MPVs. He was previously the content editor for DrivingElectric and won the Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award in 2022.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best-selling cars 2025: the year's 10 most popular models
Best-selling cars - header image

Best-selling cars 2025: the year's 10 most popular models

These are officially Britain’s biggest-selling new cars so far this year
Best cars & vans
5 Feb 2025
Cheapest cars to run 2025
Cheapest cars to run - header

Cheapest cars to run 2025

When it comes to total cost of ownership, cut-price entry-level models aren’t always the best. So what are the cheapest cars to run in the UK today?
Best cars & vans
31 Jan 2025
Best city cars to buy 2025
Best city cars - header image

Best city cars to buy 2025

Conquering the city streets? These are the best urban runabouts for the job
Best cars & vans
23 Jan 2025
Kia Sportage review
Kia Sportage - main image

Kia Sportage review

Featuring plenty of space, great on-board technology and a comfortable ride, the Kia Sportage is a first-rate family SUV
In-depth reviews
23 Jan 2025

Most Popular

BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?
BMW X3 and Lexus NX - front tracking

BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?

BMW’s much-lauded new X3 is one of the best luxury compact SUVs on the market – but is it good enough to topple the cheaper hybrid-powered Lexus NX 35…
Car group tests
8 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month
Jaguar I-Pace - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month

The I-Pace shows how good an electric Jag can be. It’s our Deal of the Day for 7 February
News
7 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month
Mazda CX-5

Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month

The Mazda CX-5 is fun to drive, features a driver-focused, premium interior and is our Deal of the Day for 9 February
News
9 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts