Talking further on Kia’s light SUV, the five-door high-riding Stonic good looking from any angle and now the No.2 seller to Toyota’s Yaris Cross.

I drove the mid-spec. six speed automatic Stonic Sport at $26,490 drive-away which like the entry S model, features a 1.4-litre non-turbo 74kW four-cylinder engine with 133Nm of torque at 4,000 revs.  Earlier this year I tested the top-spec Stonic GT-line with 1.0-litre 74kW three-cylinder turbo but with 172Nm of torque from a low 1500 revs.

The drivability of the two is like chalk and cheese, the Sport models automatic dances up and down the gear ratios on a heavy throttle whereas the GT-Line with 33 per cent more torque is the Stonic to own, well worth another $4,000 at $30,490 drive-away.

But as I said earlier, the Kia Stonic Sport is nicely equipped for the money and despite the performance disappointment has some really appealing qualities. Economy wise I manage 7.5 L/100km, well shod with 17-inch alloy wheels and quality Continental tyres, the ride and handling composed with precise steering and braking and a good looker from any angle.

Five-star ANCAP safety as well with a nice collective of active safety elements like autonomous emergency braking, driver attention alert and a rear-view camera with dynamic parking guidelines. And the benefit of Kia’s 7-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

I’m David Berthon.

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