- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.0T, 3 cyl.
- Engine Power
74kW, 172Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 5.4L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
7 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2017)
2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line review
The Kia Stonic GT-Line may be a bit of a late starter to the light-SUV segment, but its strong value package is a force to be reckoned with.
- Top-tier ownership value proposition
- Entertaining driving character
- Engine punches above its weight class
- Dull interior presentation
- Servicing a little pricey
- Could do with more safety kit
On face value, it might look as though Kia has entered the light-SUV class a little late to the party and a bit half-baked. The city-sized Stonic was introduced to the world in 2017, but its Australian launch only occurred at the start of this year.
Since its international launch, several light SUVs such as the Ford Puma, Toyota Yaris Cross, and Hyundai Venue have joined the Australian market stocking modern styling, swathes of up-to-date tech, and a strong set of baseline features. Even the older segment pillars including the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V have been continually updated to keep pace with their newer contemporaries.
The Kia Stonic is designed to slot in as the entry-level crossover from the Korean brand, bolstering Kia’s SUV portfolio Down Under. It’s smaller and more affordable than Kia’s Seltos, the Sportage, and the Sorento, though with the four of them Kia covers a diverse range of needs for Australian buyers. It was the missing piece of Kia’s Australian line-up, shall we say.
The Stonic GT-Line comes with standard equipment including a sunroof, automatic single-zone climate control, LED daytime-running lights and LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, sporty styling and the option of a funky two-tone colour scheme (though this option deletes the sunroof).
So, has Kia done itself a disservice by launching late with an older product? We’ve picked up a top-spec $30,490 drive-away 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line automatic to see how it compares to its more established competition.
Interior Comfort
Step inside the cabin of the Kia Stonic GT-Line and you’ll immediately question whether this is, in fact, the range-topping model. While it’s not an offensive place by any means, the interior of the Stonic does present as an old and a bit of a drab place to spend time.
There are swathes of black plastic on the door cards where some rivals would use softer materials, and while Kia has done its best to spruce up the looks with carbon-effect trim accenting, it does look and feel a generation behind. That said, build quality does feel up to par.
However, as a space to actually use, the Stonic’s interior contains a comfortable amount of room to get setup in. There’s good, simple adjustability of things such as the seats, steering wheel and mirrors, to find a cosy driving position.
Key details | 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line |
Engine | 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged |
Power | 74kW @ 6000rpm |
Torque | 172Nm @ 1500-4000rpm |
Weight (tare) | 1227kg |
Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
Transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic |
Power to weight ratio | 60.3kW/t |
Price (MSRP) | $29,990 |
The seats don’t cosset you in the same way those in the Nissan Juke would, having less side support and a flat seat squab, though they do the job just fine. All Kia Stonics come fitted with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear-view camera with parking sensors, keyless entry, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and dusk-sensing auto headlights.
The GT-Line scores a feature set including a tilt-and-slide sunroof (but only on cars without two-tone paint), ‘premium’ black cloth upholstery with white piping, single-zone climate control, alloy sports pedals, and a GT-Line branded sports steering wheel. These additions make the interior a comfortable place to spend time – especially the extra light and ambience afforded by the sunroof. The alloy pedals are a cool thing to see at the affordable end of Kia’s range too.
There is one USB-A port in the front row for charging devices and operating smartphone mirroring, and one 12-volt power outlet. As is normal for the light-SUV segment, the back seat space is a no-frills affair - there is just one map pocket, no air vents, and minimal storage pockets. Legroom is decent, so is footroom and headroom. It’s a fine place to spend decent stints of time as an adult passenger.
Kia says boot space is 352L. The cavity has a higher load lip, which can make loading in larger items a task. Underneath the boot floor mat hides a space-saver spare wheel.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every variant of the Kia Stonic range gets an 8.0-inch infotainment system that extends protruding from the dash. In the Stonic GT-Line the system features a form of Kia’s latest software, which includes things like multiple driver profiles, native satellite navigation, Sounds of Nature ambient cabin treatment, and provision for multiple Bluetooth connections.
For those who prefer to use the familiar Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, smartphone mirroring can be used by connecting a compatible phone via USB. There is a small multifunction display within the instrument cluster to view key vehicle settings and information, and the screen can show a digital speed readout. Annoyingly, though, the screen will not show your cruise-control speed setting.
The main infotainment screen is an easy one to use. There are shortcuts along the bottom of the screen for key functions that make navigating between screens quick. We’ve rarely had bad experiences with Kia’s infotainment system, which tends to work reliably without malfunctioning or displaying improperly.
Safety
The Kia Stonic scored five stars in its 2017 Australian New Car Assessment Program test. Interestingly, this test was completed on the Kia Rio hatchback and extrapolated to include the Kia Stonic, which shares much of its structure and safety equipment with the entry-level hatch.
The Stonic’s level of safety equipment may not score a full five-star rating if tested to stricter 2021 protocols.
All models come standard with a suite of safety tech including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, driver-attention alert, leading vehicle departure alert, hill-start assist, speed-sensing auto door locks, two ISOFIX mounts, and front, side, and curtain airbags.
At a glance | 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line |
Fuel consumption (claimed combined) | 5.4L/100km |
Fuel consumption (on test) | 6.0L/100km |
Fuel tank size | 45L |
Boot volume | 352L / 1155L |
Length | 4140mm |
Width | 1760mm |
Height | 1520mm |
Wheelbase | 2580mm |
Turning circle | 10.2m |
ANCAP safety rating | Five-star (tested 2015) |
Warranty | 7 yr / unlimited km |
Servicing cost | $2128 (Five years) |
Competitors | Hyundai Venue | Ford Puma | Mazda CX-3 |
Value for Money
The Kia Stonic range’s top-end is more affordable than some of its competitors such as the Nissan Juke. From $30,490 drive-away, you’re getting Kia’s range-topping model without any additional on-road costs to pay which is an attractive deal when compared to rivals’ ranges, in which pricing can begin around that mark and extend towards the $40,000 mark.
In that sense, the Kia Stonic represents great value compared to its competition. But it must be considered that the feature set and materials used in its build aren’t quite up to par with the rest of the segment.
To make the value decision easier, the Kia Stonic comes standard with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and capped-price servicing. Visits to the service centre occur at 12-month or 10,000km intervals, whichever is sooner, with the first five visits set to cost $2128.
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Driver Technology
In addition to the active safety equipment mentioned above, the Kia Stonic GT-Line also stocks a lane-following cruise control setting, stop/start fuel-saving technique, switchable drive modes, and a manual override for gear selection – though there are no paddle shifters fitted.
The lane-follow freeway assistant mode is a curious one, as it's usually paired with adaptive cruise control, though that isn’t offered on the Stonic. It does a reliable job at keeping you within your lane while on the freeway without having to touch the steering wheel, though it would be a better system if it added radar-based adaptive cruise control to the mix.
The Stonic comes with three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. Annoyingly, every time you restart the car, it reverts to Eco mode, which is too dull for everyday driving.
Powertrain Performance
GT-Line specification in the Kia Stonic gives access to a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that outputs 74kW and 172Nm to the front wheels. While it has the same power figure as the lower-spec engines in the range, the turbocharger provides a boost in torque that is handy around town.
It’s a refined unit that stays quiet most of the way through the rev range, though that characteristic three-cylinder thrum is there. Some road roar can be heard echoing about the cabin, especially on coarse-chip bitumen.
Its 74kW/172Nm outputs sound ordinary on paper and feel as such in practice. That said, for a compact 1227kg in a city-oriented use case, the Stonic’s powertrain is entirely adequate.
The engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). While it won’t exhibit the same gold-standard refinement as a torque convertor transmission, the Kia’s DCT is pretty intelligent and switches gears without much of a fuss. There is some lurchy hesitation when shifting between drive and reverse that is exacerbated on an incline, but the set-up is easily one of the better offerings in the small-SUV segment.
Energy Efficiency
Kia quotes a 5.4L/100km fuel consumption for the Stonic GT-Line. While we couldn’t quite hit that lowly figure, our tester came away having recorded a still respectable 6.0L/100km consumption, which is very good for a non-hybrid petrol powertrain.
The car is tuned to run on 91-octane fuel and has a 45L fuel tank. So, in addition to its outstanding cost-of-ownership attributes, it’ll be frugal on the fuel too.
Ride and Handling
At only just over 4m long (4140mm to be exact), the Stonic is right-sized to drive around town. It’s nimble, manoeuvrable, and the vision out of the wagon-shaped glasshouse is great.
The Australian-tweaked suspension tune is comfortable for suburban duty, and more than capable of dulling sharp road joins and bigger potholes.
The Stonic is even competent when headed further afield. It remains composed and flat through tight bends, and the front end is agile and easy to handle. You wouldn’t go so far as to call it an engaging experience, but it can be a sweet and entertaining thing to drive through a small set of twisty corners.
Fit for Purpose
You might’ve seen Kia’s (kinda cringe) advertising campaign that paints the Stonic as a fun-to-drive, urban-focused light SUV. Usually, I’m all too keen to poke fun at such ads, but I came away from driving the Stonic realising that it is a pretty accurate depiction of what it’s like to own one.
It’s a handy little thing to run about in, stocks enough tech to keep you happy, and will cater to you and your friends without too many complaints. Add in Kia’s renowned after-sales warranty and servicing arrangement, and it starts to look like a very attractive ownership proposition.
Conclusion
It might’ve arrived late to the light-SUV party, but the Kia Stonic comes packing a keg-full of attributes, such as its entertaining dynamics and strong value.
It does feel older than some of our segment favourites, including the Ford Puma and Nissan Juke, which will turn away some shoppers looking for the ultimate in features and tech.
But the level of baseline equipment and comfort on offer is hard to argue with. And considering it’s one of the most affordable top-spec variants in its segment (not to mention the ownership value), it’s surely worth a look-in if you’re considering buying in the light-SUV segment.