Kia’s small Stonic SUV – the best-selling light SUV in November

Earlier this year the small Kia Stonic SUV arrived completing a suite of four SUV’s from the Korean manufacturer. It arrived in a segment dominated by Mazda’s excellent CX-3 however last month the Kia outsold the Mazda by a considerable margin.
The Stonic is a high riding version of Kia’s Rio hatch but with its own individual style and interior. Front wheel drive only it kicks off at $23.490 drive-away in manual for the base S model, $25,490 drive-away for the mid-spec manual Sport, both powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine, six-speed automatic adding $1,000 to both.
The flagship Stonic GT-line gets a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo engine mated to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic priced at $30,490 drive-away. Equipment levels are high across the range. The Stonic’s styling is more European than Korean, and its appeal improves depending on colour, my test car in grey tending to soften its overall appeal.
I tested the top-line 1.0-litre three-cylinder GT-Line, with 33 per cent more torque to the two naturally aspirated four-cylinder variants and it proved a very nice driver, getting into the higher gears quickly. I also drove the 1.4-litre mid-spec Stonic Sport six speed automatic but of the two I prefer to three-cylinder turbo GT-Line with seven speed auto – a better allrounder. Yes, it’s another $4,000 but its money well spent.
I’m David Berthon.
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