The figures don’t lie. While the Stonic took nearly 20 seconds to get to 400 metres from a standstill in performance testing, the Hyundai was little faster needing 18.1 seconds. The Mazda though is noticeably quicker doing the dash in 16.8s. 16. And it’s the same story in the benchmark 0-100km/h acceleration with the CX-3 completing the Kia Stonic vs Suzuki XL7 Comparison. Find below the detailed Cars comparison of Kia Stonic and Suzuki XL7, based on price, specifications, & other features. We have the Kia Stonic priced at ₱835,000 , while Suzuki XL7 is priced at ₱1.181 Million . If we compare the technical specifications, Kia Stonic houses 1368 engine whereas Suzuki XL7 So sánh xe ô tô Kia Stonic và Mitsubishi Triton, bao gồm so sánh giá xe Kia Stonic vs Mitsubishi Triton, so sánh thông số kỹ thuật, động cơ, kích thước, so sánh mức tiêu thụ nhiên liệu của, trang bị chức năng an toàn, đánh giá của người dùng, thiết kế ngoại hình và ưu nhược điểm của hai xe. The Stonic’s boot volume is 332 litres, while the Venue’s is 355 litres. In the video of this comparison, we show how only the Venue’s boot can fit all the CarsGuide luggage and have its tailgate closed. We had to remove the Stonic’s cargo shelf to fit the same amount of luggage. The Kia Stonic GT-Line is by far the more affordable of the two here, priced from $30,490 plus on-road costs, or $32,190 drive-away according to Kia’s online configurator at the time of writing. Two-tone paint is a no-cost option. Meanwhile, the Ford Puma ST-Line V starts at $35,890 plus on-road costs, though our test car features the Vay Tiền Trả Góp Theo Tháng Chỉ Cần Cmnd Hỗ Trợ Nợ Xấu. Each of these hard-hitting small SUVs packs a value punch, but does the Kia Stonic have what it takes to topple the reigning Drive Car of the Year Best Small SUV? Tom Fraser finds out. Though they share a $29,990 price, before on-road costs, the 2021 Ford Puma and Kia Stonic GT-Line are two different takes on what a small SUV should be. On the one hand, the Ford Puma is an entry-level variant, while the Kia Stonic GT-Line is the top-tier specification of its range. The Ford Puma is a relative newcomer, having launched in 2019 overseas, while the Kia Stonic has been around for four years in international markets, launching in Australia in late 2020. We've got a lot of love for the Ford Puma at Drive - it won our 2021 Drive Car of the Year: Best Light SUV award. But that was crowned before the value-packed Kia Stonic arrived on the scene in Australia. Does the newcomer have what it takes to knock off the segment's best? There's a lot to discuss, so let's get stuck into it. Introduction Ford Puma The Ford Puma is the smallest SUV the brand offers and starts off from a $29,990 list price for the eponymous base-level Puma specification, or a current drive-away offer of $31, tester came fitted with the $1500 optional parking pack, which allows the car to park itself (among other tricks including adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring), and the $2000 optional panoramic base-level Ford Puma is pricier than many of its light-SUV rivals, such as the Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Venue, Nissan Juke and Volkswagen T-Cross, but it does come with some neat features as do feel as if you’re getting a valuable deal with features such as native satellite navigation, wireless phone charging, auto high beam, rain-sensing wipers, LED ambient interior lighting, digital radio, and some nifty LED puddle lamps that display a puma are also 17-inch alloy wheels, an SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as massage seats – certainly an oddity at this Stonic 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 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 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 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 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line automatic, which starts from the same $29,990 marker before on-road costs, but a sharper $30,490 drive-away, to see how it compares to its more established Comfort Ford Puma The interior space of the new Ford Puma is a modern, functional space with a suite of neat features and cool tech. Cloth upholstery adorns the seats, which feels robust and built to last the distance (not to mention features a cool design), while the seats themselves are firm and supportive – especially around the it’s a $2000 option, the panoramic sunroof works to lift in-cabin ambience, filling it with light and the sense that it’s a larger space than it actually is. There’s a good amount of space to get comfortable with in the front row, and the seats have a good level of adjustment to provide the driver with a good perch to see clearly out of the has employed a series of soft-touch fabrics to cover most touchpoints, which is a point of difference for the segment, as many rivals tend to make do with hard plastics on the door cards and dash tops, for plush leather-covered steering wheel is nice to hold and contains a series of button shortcuts to operate different infotainment functions. The touchscreen is just a short reach away and placed at the forefront of the dash for easy-access seat passengers will have no trouble getting in and out of the second row thanks to a large door aperture, and once inside, the space on offer is commendable for the segment. Small to average-sized passengers should have no trouble folding their legs in behind the seats, while there’s a good amount of shoulder and foot room too. Headroom isn’t fantastic for taller occupants – we’d be curious to try a Puma without the sunroof to see if it’s any a great deal todayInterested in one of these cars? Complete your details and we'll connect you to our there’s a small cubby behind the centre console for rear passengers to use, as well as two map pockets and door bins. There are no rear air vents, though that’s par for the course in this light-SUV Puma has deep and wide door pockets to store a number of items, as well as a slot in front of the shifter for wireless phone charging and keys, for example. There’s a couple of cupholders next to the shifter, though storage between the seats is says the Puma’s boot capacity is rated at 410L. It’s a respectable size for a small SUV, and a very useable space thanks to a false floor that allows for easy loading, a sneaky plastic-lined sub-floor cavity over the space-saver spare wheel, and a wide aperture to shove in bigger items. The cargo blind is also a neat unit that connects to the hatch rather than the back seats, which means the back seats can be folded down (60:40 split) without having to remove the manual handbrake features in the front row - just a sole aberration from an otherwise technologically focused Stonic 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 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 as a space to actually use, the Stonic’s interior contains a comfortable amount of room to get set up in. There’s good, simple adjustability of things such as the seats, steering wheel and mirrors to find a cosy driving 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 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 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 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 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. At a glance 2021 Ford Puma 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line Seats Five Five Boot volume 410L 352L / 1155L Length 4186mm 4180mm Width 1805mm 1760mm Height 1550mm 1520mm Wheelbase 2588mm 2580mm Turning circle Infotainment and Connectivity Ford Puma Ford’s tried-and-tested SYNC 3 infotainment system features in the Puma. The screen a simple system to become acquainted with, featuring a series of shortcut buttons along the bottom, and its clear and concise mapping is easy to get used those who prefer it, smartphone mirroring is on offer with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto services is available on the Puma, which allows an owner to check various car systems via a simple mobile phone application. It can tell you where your vehicle is, unlock the car, check the health of the vehicle and display live traffic Puma has one USB-C port in the centre console, one USB-A port next to the shifter, and a 12-volt outlet for charging various Stonic Every variant of the Kia Stonic range gets an 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 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 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 Ford Puma The Australian New Car Assessment Program ruled that the Ford Puma deserves a five-star safety rating in late 2019. It managed a 94 per cent result for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 77 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 74 per cent for safety Puma variants come standard with six airbags, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, a driver-impairment monitor, rear parking sensors and a tyre pressure $1500 Park Pack fitted to our tester also adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and lane-centring capabilities, plus active park assist with front, side and rear sensors and blind-spot Stonic 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 Stonic’s level of safety equipment may not score a full five-star rating if tested to stricter 2021 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 Ford Puma 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line ANCAP rating Five stars (tested 2019) Five stars (tested 2017) Safety report LINK to ANCAP Link to ANCAP Value for Money Ford Puma Starting from $31,990 drive-away, the Ford Puma finds itself at the pricier end of the light-SUV market. That said, the level of standard equipment on offer – regardless of optional packs – is an ownership perspective, the Puma is covered by Ford’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. Ford also throws in seven years of roadside assistance as long as you service your vehicle regularly at approved service service must be completed at 15,000km or 12-month intervals, with the first five visits setting buyers back $ Stonic The Kia Stonic range’s top end is more affordable than some of its competitors such as the Ford Puma. Currently priced at $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 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 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. At a glance 2021 Ford Puma 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line MSRP $29,990 $29,990 Options as tested Park Pack ($1500), panoramic roof ($2000) N/A Warranty Five years/unlimited km Seven years/unlimited km Servicing costs $1010 (3yr)/$1516 (5yr) $1105 (3yr)/$2128 (5yr) Driver Technology Ford Puma The Ford Puma we tested features the $1500 Park Pack, which allows the car to semi-autonomously park itself. In practice, the system works very accurately and is swift at picking out suitable spots to plonk also features start/stop technology, a radar-based adaptive cruise-control system, and a TFT display within the instrument cluster. While not a fully digital display, the small insert screen still allows the driver to view a digital speedo, control phone functions, change music and fiddle with the car’s of note is a rear-view camera with parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, hill hold and launch assist, as well as an emergency assistant that will automatically phone up emergency services if the vehicle detects a Stonic 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 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 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 and Performance Ford Puma The Puma’s 92kW/170Nm outputs might not sound too hot on paper, but the turbocharged three-cylinder engine of the Puma is a punchy and spritely unit. Peak outputs occur at 6000rpm (power) and between 1500–4500rpm (torque), which is perfect for around-town only has to shift 1264kg (tare) – which is a pretty standard weight for its class – but the pairing between seven-speed gearbox and turbocharged motor works in harmony to make for a pleasant little a sense of hesitation when taking off from a set of lights, but it only takes a fraction of a second for the Puma to figure out what it’s doing and then snap into action. Once on the move, gearshifts are effectively unnoticeable, and the car responds diligently to sudden throttle only is the Puma’s powertrain competent, but it’s also a quiet operator. Engine noise levels are kept to a minimum, while road and wind noise are also Stonic GT-Line specification in the Kia Stonic gives access to a 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 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 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. Key details 2021 Ford Puma 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line Engine three-cylinder turbocharged petrol three-cylinder turbocharged Power 92kW @ 6000rpm 74kW @ 6000rpm Torque 170Nm @ 1500-4500rpm 172Nm @ 1500-4000pm Weight (tare) 1264kg 1227kg Drive type Front-wheel drive Front-wheel drive Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic Tow rating 750kg braked 900kg braked, 450kg unbraked Power to weight ratio 73kW/t 60kW/t Energy Efficiency Ford Puma Fuel use in the Ford Puma is claimed to be (combined), though our testing indicated a more realistic should be expected. Being a small-capacity turbocharged unit, you can expect the Puma to use less fuel than larger-engined alternatives such as the Mazda Ford Puma does ask to be filled with a minimum of 95-octane fuel, which will eat into owners’ Stonic Kia quotes a 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 consumption, which is very good for a non-hybrid petrol 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. At a glance 2021 Ford Puma 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line Fuel consumption (claimed combined) Fuel consumption (on test) Fuel tank size 42L 45L Ride and Handling Ford Puma The base Ford Puma on test goes without the sports-tuned suspension of its more expensive alternative variants. The steering is nice and direct – a trademark of European-designed Ford products – which makes for an entertaining drive, as well as being accurate when manoeuvring about suburbia. It’s a well-weighted system that strikes a nice balance between being feelsome and not being overly rides nicely over mid-town bumps and potholes, while even larger speedhumps can be attempted at speed without upsetting the car’s composure. Even on the open road, the Ford Puma is positively fun to pedal through tight switchback corners. Its small frame is agile and eager to get involved in sporty Stonic 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 Australian-tweaked suspension tune is comfortable for suburban duty, and more than capable of dulling sharp road joins and bigger 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 for Purpose Ford Puma As a small-car ownership package, the Ford Puma presents a strong showing. It may cost a little more than some rivals on initial outlay, but its servicing costs, warranty, and included roadside assistance package will all help make that extra outlay easier to a light SUV it’s well equipped, the cabin features a comfortable amount of space, and materials quality is Stonic 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 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 Both the Ford Puma and Kia Stonic trade blows between levels of standard equipment and cost of ownership, making perceived value more of a subjective toss-up based on individual there are undoubtedly more pros weighed in the Puma's column compared to the Kia Stonic. The Ford's interior is a nicer place to spend time, it's marginally more spacious than the Kia, and it is entertaining to drive. While the Kia may include two extra years of warranty over the Ford and is able to be refuelled with cheaper fuel, the Puma's servicing costs over a longer ownership period are more these takes on a small SUV are some of the best offerings in the segment, so you're unlikely to be disappointed whichever way you go. But in this instance, the Ford remains the reigning champ. Doors & SeatsEnginePower & TorqueTransmissionDrivetrainFuelWarrantySafety2021 Ford Puma WagonDoors & Seats5 Doors, 5 SeatsPower & Torque92 kW, 170 NmTransmission7 Speed, Auto (DCT)DrivetrainFront Wheel DriveCompare All Specs Overall RatingsDrive’s Pick2021 Ford Puma 102021 Kia Stonic GT-Line 10Ratings BreakdownPerformance2021 Ford Puma Kia Stonic GT-Line Quality2021 Ford Puma Kia Stonic GT-Line & Dynamics2021 Ford Puma Kia Stonic GT-Line Technology2021 Ford Puma Kia Stonic GT-Line Comfort + Packaging2021 Ford Puma Kia Stonic GT-Line Ford Puma Kia Stonic GT-Line & Connectivity2021 Ford Puma Kia Stonic GT-Line Efficiency2021 Ford Puma Kia Stonic GT-Line Ford Puma Kia Stonic GT-Line for Purpose2021 Ford Puma Kia Stonic GT-Line started out in the automotive industry by exploiting his photographic skills but quickly learned that journalists got the better end of the deal. He began with CarAdvice in 2014, left in 2017 to join Bauer Media titles including Wheels and WhichCar and subsequently returned to CarAdvice in early 2021 during its transition to Drive. As part of the Drive content team, Tom covers automotive news, car reviews, advice, and holds a special interest in long-form feature stories. He understands that every car buyer is unique and has varying requirements when it comes to buying a new car, but equally, there’s also a loyal subset of Drive audience that loves entertaining enthusiast content. Tom holds a deep respect for all things automotive no matter the model, priding himself on noticing the subtle things that make each car tick. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t learn something new in an everchanging industry, which is then imparted to the Drive reader more about Tom Fraser Luxury Weather Shields For Kia Stonic 2021+ Weathershields Window Visors is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock. High-quality Weathershields for Kia Stonic 2021+ Features One Set of 4 PiecesMade of durable reinforced acrylic with strong automotive-grade tape, ready to wind noise and maximum fresh air interior heat when your windows dry in the your vehicle looks quality with optical with installation instruction, easy to Year Warranty. Shipping and ReturnsAU STOCK, dispatch within 24 will be shipped within 24 hours of payment receipt, except on weekends or as mutually warehouse pick up service available. If you want to pick up your order, please contact us via days return and exchange service items can be returned or exchanged within 30 long as the product is well-preserved and returned in its original packaging. Refund or replacement will be issued after we’ve received and checked the package. If the product is damaged during or after installation, a refund or replacement will not be given. When you receive your package, please check the product for any manufacturer defects or shipping damage prior to installation. If you notice any damages or defects, please contact us ASAP, we will solve your problem. Bringing car spotting into perspective Real height1 m 2 1 m Real height1 + 12 cm 1 + cm + cm 1 m Real length Click/tap cars to swap positions Street perspective vs. specification. See Disclaimer. Side ViewMitsubishi ASX SUV 2019 vs. Kia Stonic (YB) SUV 2017 Technical specs | Mitsubishi ASX SUV 2019 is cm longer and 12 cm higher compared to Kia Stonic (YB) SUV 2017. It has cm more ground clearance and offers 5% more cargo 1. Maximum height | 2. Width with folded mirrors | 3. Max. ground clearance | 4. Most common power unit. Possible deviation of standards. | 5. With rear seats folded down Quick Facts 721801 Comparison combinations Germany Origin of the most car models 1908 Year of our oldest car model Kia Stonic “2” T-GDi review. For – great quality, impressive looks, unbeatable guarantee. Against – pricey, no 4×4 (yet). **** £17,354 Competition – Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, Citroen C3 Aircross, Vauxhall-Opel Mokka, Ford EcoSport, Mitsubishi ASX, Suzuki Vitara, Fiat 500X, Dacia Duster, SEAT Arona, Skoda Karoq, Ssangyong Tivoli, Toyota CH-R, MG ZS, Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V Kia hasn’t been slow in the past to spot potentially rich niches in the market and fill them with winning vehicles, but it’s been late spotting the emerging small SUV market, dominated by the Nissan Juke and the Renault Captur. Introducing the Kia Stonic; designed to fill that gap, and maybe sweep all before it, like the larger Sportage did. Kia reckons a combination of style and quality, plus of course the winning long-term warranty, will do the trick. It’s probably pushing on an open door, not least because in Europe this has become a massive sector of the market, accounting for 7 per cent of sales now at million in 2016, and set to soar to million in 2020. Prices start at £16,295 and reach up to £20,495 Kia expects to sell 70,000 Stonics in Europe in 2018, rising steadily to 100,000 a year. The Stonic is built in Korea alongside the Hyundai equivalent, the Kona. According to French auto consultancy Inovev, the Stonic will gradually replace Kia’s small MPV, the Venga, which is made in Slovakia. The Stonic might well be made there when the Venga ceases production, according to Inovev. 5 model line-up In Britain there is a five-model Stonic line-up based on grade 2 and First Edition trim levels. All versions offer an extensive package of connectivity features, while advanced electronic driver assistance systems such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and automatic switching between high and low headlight beams are available. The Stonic’s engineering is based on the smaller Rio, but it is a bit longer and taller, with greater ground clearance. Kia insists all models are front-wheel drive, because the take-up for all-wheel drive in this sector of the market is only 8 per cent. But Kia might well decide to sell the Stonic in the and to do that it must have four-wheel drive. That shouldn’t be a problem because the Kona will be sold in the as a 4×4. The First Edition version models stand out thanks to its two-tone paintwork. The roof, wing mirror casings and rear spoiler are picked out in either black, lime green, red or orange, depending on the choice of main body colour, and there are colour accents in the interior on the seats and around the lower centre console and display screen areas. That seemed a bit garish at first, but after a while you’ll get used to it. Greater functionality Inside quality is impressive. The number of buttons and switches has been kept to a minimum to give a neater look and greater functionality. All models have things like 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, all-round electric windows, roof rails, rear parking sensors, remote locking, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, a supervision cluster, Bluetooth with music streaming, automatic headlight control, bi-function projection headlamps and cornering lights and LED daytime running lights. The First Edition adds more stuff like a smart key entry system and engine start/stop button, stainless steel pedals, black cloth and grey faux leather upholstery, automatic air conditioning, LED rear lights, privacy glass, heated front seats and a dual-height luggage floor. Three engines are available – 117 hp T-GDi petrol direct-injection, 97 hp petrol, and a 107 hp diesel. All versions have a six-speed manual gearbox and are front-wheel drive. An automatic version is promised. The Stonic drives well and even the less powerful engines produce very acceptable performance. Kia Stonic What to buy? This is going to be easy because despite the long list of fantastic competitors in this small SUV sector, I’ve actually bought a Suzuki Vitara S Auto Allgrip *****. It’s fantastic value, looks terrific, is well equipped and there’s no nonsense about 2 wheel drive. OK, so I live in a village where you can justify spending a bit more for all-wheel drive, and it’s arguably in the next sector up – a compact SUV – but the price makes it competitive in the cheaper sector led by the Renault Captur. The Kia Stonic though is going to be an impressive competitor with a compelling buying case. (Kia provided train ticket, hotel) Kia Stonic “2” T-GDi Engine: litre 3-cylinder petrol direct injection Power: 116 hp @ 6,000 rpm Torque: 171 Nm-126 lb ft @1,500/4,000 Gearbox: 6-speed manual Drive: front-wheels Acceleration:0-60 mph seconds Top Speed:115 mph Fuel Consumption: claimed combined CO2:115 g/km Emissions class: Euro6 Length:4,140 mm Width: 1,760 Height:1,520 Weight: 1,185 kg Wheel-base:2,580 Suspension: MacPherson/torsion beam Insurance Group: 14 Warranty: 7 year-100,000 mile Boot capacity: 352/1,155 litres Competition:Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, Citroen C3 Aircross, Vauxhall-Opel Mokka, Ford EcoSport, Mitsubishi ASX, Suzuki Vitara, Fiat 500X, Dacia Duster, SEAT Arona, Skoda Karoq, Ssangyong Tivoli, Toyota CH-R, MG ZS, Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V Rating:**** Price:£17,354 For:great quality, impressive looks, unbeatable guarantee Against:pricey, no 4x4 (yet) Our independent 2021 Kia Stonic review in Australia, including price, specs, interior, ride and handling, safety and score. Whether you call it a city SUV, a compact crossover or a jacked-up hatch, the only thing that matters to the bean counters is that cars on stilts sell. In the small segment, they are cars like the Mazda CX-3, Toyota Yaris Cross, Hyundai Venue, and perhaps the South Korean brand’s own Seltos. Like the Yaris Cross or CX-3, the Kia Stonic is based on the similar-size hatchback – in this case the Rio, and for Mazda the 3 and for Toyota the Yaris…though Stonic, like Seltos, seems more of a rabbit out of a hat name. In any case, the Stonic is another display of how far Kia has come and how good a product the manufacturer can churn out. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Available in three variants, just the Sport and top-spec GT-Line are available until the entry-level S arrives in a few months. Pricing starts at $22,990 driveaway for the S with a six-speed manual, and $23,990 with six-speed auto. The Sport is priced at $24,990 and $25,990 for the same drivetrains respectively. The top-spec GT-Line costs $29,990 driveaway and comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto on account of it being the only model with a three-cylinder turbo; the others get a petrol. At a glance, standard equipment includes AEB, lane-keep assist, reversing camera and an infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sport adds 17-inch alloy wheels, sat-nav on the entertainment system, keyless entry with push-start ignition and electric mirrors. The GT-Line on test here further adds unique 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, two-tone paint or sunroof (latter optioned in this test car), sport seats and tinted windows. The standard colour is white, and every other colour adds $520, which is a bit of a sting. WHAT DOES IT COST TO OWN? The standard seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty from Kia applies to the Stonic and service intervals are every 15,000km/12 months for the and 10,000/12 months for the turbo. Capped-price servicing is available up to a long ten years. WHAT’S THE EXTERIOR LIKE? Sizewise it is very similar to a Rio hatch but with a 45mm higher stance thanks to some modifications to the underpinnings and suspension. At the front, this GT-Line looks quite sharp thanks to the LED signature in the headlights and silver-ascent tiger-nose grille. Underneath all of this are honeycomb inserts that add some sporty flavour, and the alloy wheels have a nice look without being too large for the arches. It’s a well-balanced design without being overt. As it is short, it’s easy to park, yet it has a good size interior. WHAT’S THE INTERIOR LIKE? There is a lot more recognisably Rio inside the car, which is to be expected. The new interior is a massive leap over the old Kia interior design and it works well. The display, which measures is quite large and very clear, with crisp graphics. Getting in is easy, with a slightly raised floor over the Rio (45-odd millimetres) and the front pews have good foot space and ok shoulder width for a six-foot-tall adult. The centre console is quite narrow and feels in this regard smaller than the Seltos, and also in headspace. But it’s workable and room in the back is good enough that you never need to shoehorn yourself in. WHAT’S THE INFOTAINMENT LIKE? The tablet-style screen is plonked on the centre of the dash and it works rather well. It has a high pixel density which helps graphics pop and the colours are vibrant. Connectivity includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both corded), sat-nav for upper spec models, DAB radio, and Bluetooth. A bonus is the sounds of nature feature which I’d never pay much attention to normally. However, my child sitting in the back really enjoyed listening to it with fireplace, rainy day and rainforest the favourites and it sounded like a professional production ( not cheesy). WHAT IS THE STORAGE LIKE? As noted, the cabin is narrow so the room in the centre console is small, but shelves underneath the climate control are great for sitting a phone on. The door pockets are also quite reasonable, and there are cupholders that fit small to large coffee cups snuggly. The boot offers 352 litres which is bigger than the Rio by about 25L. It’s pretty spacious and deep considering the hatchback-like rear-end. It expands to 115L with all seats down. WHAT ENGINES ARE AVAILABLE? The standard engine in the S and Sport is a four-cylinder petrol engine producing 74kW and 133Nm through either a six-speed auto or manual. We can’t speak for that engine as we only drove the GT-Line. The GT-Line comes with a smaller three-cylinder but it benefits from turbocharged induction. That gives it the same 74kW of power but a meatier 172Nm of torque, and this can only be had with seven-speed dual-clutch auto. The also benefits from a small capacity, providing a claimed combined fuel consumption compared to for the engine. It’s a pretty energetic motor and though the dual-clutch can take a second to fire into gear if you are in traffic stop-starting, it does move with reasonable zest around town. It’s no powerhouse, but it’s also no slouch and keeps up with competition well. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? It’s a pretty sturdy platform and like the Rio, it is a good city car/crossover with light-weighted steering, compliant suspension and good brakes. When pushing on, it doesn’t love being thrown quickly around corners, but a hot hatch this is not. There is no all-wheel-drive option but the front wheels never feel overwhelmed and in the wet traction remains steady via traction control. A notable omission is adaptive cruise control for GT-Line despite AEB via radar sensors, though it does have lane-keep assist. It also misses out on front parking sensors though good visibility and a tight body mean spatial awareness isn’t hard to get a feel for in the Stonic. HOW SAFE IS THE STONIC? This is an odd one. The Rio has a five-star ANCAP rating and ANCAP has awarded the Stonic with the same five star rating. This is based on ANCAP seeing some validating paperwork from Kia’s engineers that shows the crash structures are essentially the same. But the rating applies only for the S and Sport, not the GT-Line. What’s a touch out of step is that this five-star rating is based on a 2017 crash test of the Rio. The new 2021 protocols are much more stringent, though that is not to suggest that the Stonic wouldn’t meet a five-star rating. WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES? There are heaps of options here, like the new Ford Puma, Mitsubishi ASX, Toyota Yaris Cross, Skoda Kamiq, Volkswagen T-Cross, Nissan Juke, Hyundai Venue, Hyundai Kona, and Kia Seltos. Some more expensive, some less. THE BOTTOM LINE The Stonic is a good thing and worth a look, though you pay about a $5000 premium on this GT-Line over the equivalent Rio. However, as we are seeing, cars on stilts sell. Editor's Rating How do we rate the interior and practicality? How do we rate the value? How do we rate the controls and infotainment? How do we rate the performance? How do we rate the ride and handling? How do we rate the safety?

kia stonic vs mitsubishi asx