Kia’s affordable new small SUV tested

Here are five things you need to know about the Kia Stonic.THE OUTBACK IS OUT OF BOUNDSDon’t be fooled buy the tough guy looks, the Stonic is no bush basher. Think of it more as a hatchback in high heels. It’s based on the Kia Rio hatchback, but has SUV styling cues. That means black plastic guards on the wheel arches, a more square-jawed front end, roof rails and a rear “scuff plate” that mimics the look of genuine all-wheel-drives. The Stonic is slightly longer than the Rio but both share the same wheelbase. It’s also a little heavier and as a result, thirstier. There’s a little bit more ground clearance for dirt roads but if you’re thinking the extra bulk means more luggage space, you’ll be disappointed. The Stonic’s rear load area is only fractionally bigger than the Rio.EXTROVERTS ARE CATERED FORAside from the regulation black, grey and white, there are some eye-catching colours on the palette, including red, yellow and a bright blue. Be warned, though, any colour other than white costs an extra $565 and bright-coloured cars often fetch less when it comes time to sell. Those who order the more expensive GT Line can option a black roof for an added dash of style. Other sporty touches include a roof spoiler and rear diffuser with twin tail pipes.THE PRICE IS ATTRACTIVEThe Stonic’s price has gone up by $500 since its launch early this year but it’s still one of the most affordable SUVs on the road. The range starts at $23,490 drive-away for the manual S model and an automatic transmission is only $1000 more. The feature list includes an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, three USB ports and a 12-volt outlet. The Sport model costs another $2000 and has push-button start, satnav, digital radio and bigger 17-inch alloys. It’s a $4000 leap from there to the top-of-the-range GT-Line, which has a better engine, different transmission and sportier suspension, as well as different exterior styling (including a sunroof) and material upgrades inside.AFFORDABLE SAFETY IS THE THEMEFor a sharply priced vehicle, the Stonic has a reasonable array of standard driver aids. It will automatically slam on the brakes if it senses a potential collision and steer you back into your lane if you wander. Notable omissions include blind-spot warning, radar cruise and rear cross-traffic alert. Normally more expensive grades would offer these, but aside from LED daytime running lights, the GT-Line is identical to the base model.IT’S REASONABLY FUN TO DRIVEDespite its slightly higher ride height, the Stonic feels like a hatchback to drive. It’s nimble through the corners, the steering is responsive and the suspension deals well with mid-corner bumps and corrugations. Around town, it can be a little bumpy and crash over potholes but overall it’s pretty easy to live with. The 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine struggles on steeper inclines and during highway overtaking. It will get the job done eventually, but makes a fair bit of noise in the process. The GT-Line’s 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder, matched to a dual-clutch transmission, is a much better option if you can afford it. If you can’t, the cheaper manual might extract more performance from the 1.4-litre.

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October 30, 2021
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Here are five things you need to know about the Kia Stonic.THE OUTBACK IS OUT OF BOUNDSDon’t be fooled buy the tough guy looks, the Stonic is no bush basher. Think of it more as a hatchback in high heels. It’s based on the Kia Rio hatchback, but has SUV styling cues. That means black plastic guards on the wheel arches, a more square-jawed front end, roof rails and a rear “scuff plate” that mimics the look of genuine all-wheel-drives. The Stonic is slightly longer than the Rio but both share the same wheelbase. It’s also a little heavier and as a result, thirstier. There’s a little bit more ground clearance for dirt roads but if you’re thinking the extra bulk means more luggage space, you’ll be disappointed. The Stonic’s rear load area is only fractionally bigger than the Rio.EXTROVERTS ARE CATERED FORAside from the regulation black, grey and white, there are some eye-catching colours on the palette, including red, yellow and a bright blue. Be warned, though, any colour other than white costs an extra $565 and bright-coloured cars often fetch less when it comes time to sell. Those who order the more expensive GT Line can option a black roof for an added dash of style. Other sporty touches include a roof spoiler and rear diffuser with twin tail pipes.THE PRICE IS ATTRACTIVEThe Stonic’s price has gone up by $500 since its launch early this year but it’s still one of the most affordable SUVs on the road. The range starts at $23,490 drive-away for the manual S model and an automatic transmission is only $1000 more. The feature list includes an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, three USB ports and a 12-volt outlet. The Sport model costs another $2000 and has push-button start, satnav, digital radio and bigger 17-inch alloys. It’s a $4000 leap from there to the top-of-the-range GT-Line, which has a better engine, different transmission and sportier suspension, as well as different exterior styling (including a sunroof) and material upgrades inside.AFFORDABLE SAFETY IS THE THEMEFor a sharply priced vehicle, the Stonic has a reasonable array of standard driver aids. It will automatically slam on the brakes if it senses a potential collision and steer you back into your lane if you wander. Notable omissions include blind-spot warning, radar cruise and rear cross-traffic alert. Normally more expensive grades would offer these, but aside from LED daytime running lights, the GT-Line is identical to the base model.IT’S REASONABLY FUN TO DRIVEDespite its slightly higher ride height, the Stonic feels like a hatchback to drive. It’s nimble through the corners, the steering is responsive and the suspension deals well with mid-corner bumps and corrugations. Around town, it can be a little bumpy and crash over potholes but overall it’s pretty easy to live with. The 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine struggles on steeper inclines and during highway overtaking. It will get the job done eventually, but makes a fair bit of noise in the process. The GT-Line’s 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder, matched to a dual-clutch transmission, is a much better option if you can afford it. If you can’t, the cheaper manual might extract more performance from the 1.4-litre.