2024 Kia Stonic evaluate | CarExpert

With the associated Rio going into retirement, the Kia Stonic is now successfully competing in two segments.

The Korean model’s entry-level crossover is the brand new step up from the pint-sized Picanto, and may be seen as a stand-in for the Rio hatchback within the mild automobile section in addition to a pure rival to the the top-selling Mazda CX-3.

Regardless of provide challenges, the Stonic has managed a stable 13.4 per cent share of the sunshine SUV market in Australia, second solely to the CX-3. It leads the likes of the Toyota Yaris Cross and Hyundai Venue within the gross sales race in 2023 – not less than to the tip of November.

Whereas most rivals proceed to push upmarket with their pricing, Kia has finished a great job preserving the Stonic as a sharply-priced worth proposition. Even the flagship 2024 Kia Stonic GT-Line examined right here is simply over $32,000 drive-away, the place equal fashions in rival line-ups strategy $40,000.

Not a lot has modified for MY24, bar some revised badging according to Kia’s new fashions, in addition to a refreshed choice of exterior paint colors.

Australia sadly hasn’t picked up options now out there in abroad markets like adaptive cruise management, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, however the Stonic’s worth equation stays a robust level in 2023-24.

Kia has additionally confirmed it received’t provide an electrified Stonic within the short- to mid-term, regardless of a 48V mild-hybrid model being supplied abroad. Learn extra on that right here.

Ought to this city-sized crossover be in your compact SUV purchasing listing nonetheless?

How a lot does the Kia Stonic price?

The MY24 Stonic GT-Line begins from $30,790 earlier than on-road prices – or $32,490 D/A based on Kia’s web site.

2024 Kia Stonic pricing:

• Kia Stonic S 6MT: $22,290
• Kia Stonic S 6AT $23,790
• Kia Stonic Sport 6MT: $25,290
• Kia Stonic Sport 6AT: 26,790
• Kia Stonic GT-Line 7DCT: $30,790

Costs exclude on-road prices

Notice: Kia Australia just lately introduced a stop-sale on S and Sport variations of the Stonic because of quick provide and rising again orders – learn extra right here.

To see how the Stonic shapes up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software.

What’s the Kia Stonic like on the within?

Not a lot has modified because the Stonic launched.

You’d be exhausting pressed to search out any variations between the Stonic and the now-defunct Rio hatch on which it’s primarily based.

Which means you get an uncluttered dashboard with clear traces and easy switchgear, in addition to an 8.0-inch high-resolution operating the model’s newest infotainment and navigation software program.

Kia and Hyundai’s native interface is clear and engaging with logical menus and snappy response instances, and the Stonic’s normal navigation, DAB radio, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto means it’s effectively featured, too.

In contrast to an rising quantity of rivals, nonetheless, there’s no linked providers. Kia has slowly been rolling out its Kia Join suite all through the line-up, so we may maybe see this added to the Stonic’s successor.

There’s an impression of width and airiness, because of the Stonic’s squarer, boxier proportions. You do, nonetheless lack soft-touch supplies wherever – in truth, it’s exhausting plastics nearly in every single place apart from the entrance elbow rests.

Forward of the driving force there’s clear analogue dials moderately than a digital panel, although the standard tachometer and speedo gauges flank a 4.2-inch color supervision show which reveals a digital speedometer readout amongst different menus and capabilities. It does the job simply advantageous.

The Kia’s storage options embody a deep cubby beneath the centre stack with an inbuilt shelf, in addition to massive door bins and a cubby beneath the front-centre armrest.

Consolation up entrance is first rate if not so good as some rivals, largely all the way down to the seat positioning and vary of adjustment that may restrict decrease again and beneath thigh assist when you’re tall and leggy.

The upholstery that includes leatherette bolsters and fabric inserts are much less more likely to burn your bum in summer time than full leatherette trims in rivals, and have a cool design sample to make them much less boring. The flat-bottomed GT-Line steering wheel feels superb to carry and arguably is the extra engaging tiller, too.

Hop into the second row and the Stonic is fairly accommodating, with average-sized adults in a position to sit behind average-sized adults.

It’s a correct 4 seater with the fifth pew within the centre finest left for emergencies. Leg and knee room are good, as is headroom.

Like most rivals, there’s no air vents or a fold-down centre armrest, however there’s a USB charging level again there and a map pocket behind the entrance passenger seat. ISOFIX anchors function on the outboard positions, as is customary, and there’s top-tether factors throughout all three rear seats.

Boot capability is quoted at 332L with 5 seats in use, which expands to a extra accommodating 1132L with them folded.

There’s no adjustable flooring to even the step between the boot flooring and seat backs, regardless of there being cutouts for one – clearly this function is obtainable in different markets. There’s a space-saver spare wheel beneath the boot flooring, however not any actual additional storage.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

How does the Kia Stonic drive?

The Stonic GT-Line could also be carrying an assortment of sporty styling enhancements, however its really feel on the highway is way more centered on consolation and effectivity.

From the second you set off (it defaults to Eco mode), the Stonic’s doughy throttle response, mild controls and muted engine observe aren’t partaking, however some would possibly choose the extra relaxed vibe. The 1.0-litre turbo has a thrummy observe to it, nevertheless it’s a bit rattly and harsh when you actually boot it.

Additional, the seven-speed dual-clutch auto doesn’t really feel desirous to get going off the road – particularly firing up after the idle begin/cease system has been engaged – and it hunts for prime gears rapidly within the pursuit of effectivity.

Kia Australia doesn’t quote a 0-100 time for the turbocharged Stonic, although abroad specs function a information. The model’s UK web site says this 74kW 1.0 T-GDi with seven-speed DCT accelerates from 0-100 in 11.7 seconds. Not precisely fast.

At metropolis speeds, the Stonic’s turbo’d triple presents ample low-down torque to rise up to the restrict with out stress, and 100km/h isn’t a complete chore to achieve both, simply don’t count on to hit it rapidly. As soon as at triple figures, the Stonic settles into its seventh cog at round 2250rpm and fortunately putts alongside.

One factor the Stonic advantages from is an area suspension tune, one thing Kia’s Australian division has prided itself on as some extent of various. The GT-Line even will get a special tune to the S and Sport variations of the Stonic, to be just a little extra according to its branding.

The Stonic balances trip consolation with dynamic capability fairly effectively, noticeably softer than one thing like a Ford Puma, whereas additionally nonetheless having a great stage of physique management in corners. Nonetheless, often the torsion beam rear finish is just a little sharp and boomy over greater hits as we came upon on a few of Melbourne’s freeway growth joints.

Likewise, the steering is on the lighter facet and isn’t as fast as some rivals, nevertheless it’s nonetheless correct and progressive making it a fluid factor to steer.

Such is the chassis’s competence you’re left wanting for a extra substantial powertrain. It’s value calling on the market was a time the GT-Line featured a extra highly effective 88kW model of this engine, which had a bit extra verve from reminiscence.

Nonetheless that model of this powertrain is barely out there with a 48V mild-hybrid system abroad, which might possible add a expensive premium – detrimental to the Stonic’s worth pitch domestically. The additional grunt may go a good distance although, because it shaves off a complete second from the UK mannequin’s 0-100 declare.

Talking of issues we miss out on within the Australian mannequin, locally-delivered vehicles don’t get a variety of driver help methods supplied within the European spec.

If we have been to get the identical options as Europe and the UK, the Stonic may match most rivals with adaptive cruise management, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Alas, there are not any plans so as to add these things to the native specification.

Rivals such because the Toyota Yaris Cross provide a full gamut of help options which primarily facilitate semi-autonomous freeway driving. Plus, you’ll be able to have a similarly-priced Kia Cerato with these options geared up – Kia even added blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assists to the Picanto domestically, so what provides?

With that mentioned, the usual AEB with pedestrian and bike owner detection provides an added security internet, whereas the lane preserving system with Lane Following Help (centring) provide good performance. It actually ought to have blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, although.

What do you get?

Stonic GT-Line highlights:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights (reflector-type)
• Computerized headlights
• LED daytime operating lights, entrance fog lights
• GT-Line exterior styling
• Two-tone roof OR sunroof
• Alloy sports activities pedals
• Flat-bottom sports activities steering wheel
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Selectable drive modes
• Energy-folding mirrors
• Leatherette steering wheel and shift knob
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (wired)
• 6-speaker sound system
• 4.2-inch driver’s show
• Single-zone local weather management
• Energy home windows
• Cruise management
• Heated mirrors

Is the Kia Stonic secure?

The Stonic carries over the Rio hatchback’s five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on 2017 exams in opposition to the previous scoring system.

The Rio achieved 35.52 out of 37.00 factors, together with a frontal offset rating of 14.52 out of 16.00 and an ideal facet influence ranking of 16 out of 16. The Rio and Stonic weren’t required to have lively security options like AEB and lane-keep help to make a five-star threshold.

Commonplace security options embody:

• 6 airbags
• AEB incl. Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detection
• Ahead collision warning
• Lane departure warning
• Lane Following Help (centring)
• Lane maintain help
• Driver Consideration Alert
• Lead Automobile Departure Alert
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing digital camera

Sadly, Australian fashions don’t provide blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise management like European fashions, regardless of being made in the identical manufacturing unit

How a lot does the Kia Stonic price to run?

Kia’s vary is roofed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee which additionally contains roadside help and capped-price servicing.

Talking of upkeep, the Stonic GT-Line has barely shorter intervals than its naturally aspirated brethren, requiring visits to the seller each 12 months or 10,000km (not 15,000km).

Pricing for the primary seven visits is quoted at $289, $490, $344, $725, $325, $608 and $576, equating to a complete of $3357 for the primary seven years or 70,000 kilometres – which is very costly.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Stonic

In a world of ever-increasing costs, the Kia Stonic has been refreshingly constant in staying well-priced for the section and specializing in bang for buck.

Nonetheless, the little crossover might be so a lot better if Kia invested in bringing within the full function and know-how suite supplied in abroad market to make the Stonic extra aggressive in such a scorching class.

Further driver help methods can be found from the manufacturing unit, as are extra highly effective and fuel-efficient drivetrains. It’s a disgrace Kia Australia hasn’t dedicated to giving the Stonic a greater arsenal in opposition to the competitors.

However the fundamentals are nonetheless robust. In GT-Line spec, the Stonic is enjoyable to drive, presents crossover seems and trip peak that so many consumers are searching for proper now, has good house inside regardless of its diminutive dimension, and naturally is roofed by Kia’s industry-leading seven-year guarantee.

The excessive service pricing actually grates, and is a heavy knock in opposition to the Stonic’s long-term possession credentials – not less than for the turbo. For those who can reside with out the additional grunt, the mid-spec Sport presents a lot of the GT-Line’s options listing for hundreds much less… if you may get your fingers on one.

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