Is the Kia Stonic Australia's best small SUV?

At the start of 2021, Australians were excited to finally get their hands on the popular Kia Stonic. This compact SUV had already been taking Europe by storm since 2017, and first-time Aussie buyers weren't disappointed. The freshened Stonic arrived with a great suite of features and design updates that made it a top contender in the small SUV segment. Compact, agile, and efficient, the Stonic manages to seamlessly combine both style and substance. And with a very low sticker price, it makes for a great value car buy.

But is it the best small SUV on the Australian market?

In this blog, we'll explore the Kia Stonic and what makes it so appealing. We'll examine its performance, safety ratings, technology features, practicality, and more to determine if it is indeed the top-ranked small SUV in Australia.

We'll draw all our data from the 2022 Kia Stonic GT Line for this review. Currently, there are many deals on this model as Australian dealerships look to make room for upcoming deliveries of the 2023 model Kia Stonic. In the GT-Line trim, the Stonic is powered by a 1.0L turbocharged engine that produces 74kW of power and 172Nm of torque. This setup is mated to a 7-speed auto dual-clutch transmission, unlike the 6-speed automatic transmission of the Stonic Sport, which provides for a smooth and efficient driving experience. The Kia Stonic GT Line can go from 0-100 in the shade under 11 seconds. Not bad for a small SUV at $32,490 drive away!

The Stonic's handling is also excellent, thanks to its electronic stability control and well-balanced suspension setup. It grips the road nicely and feels stable even at high speeds. In your hands, the flat-bottomed steering wheel provides good feedback and confidence when cornering. While the Stonic's steering may not be as sharp as some of its rivals, overall, it is nicely weighted and responsive, making driving around tight corners or twisty mountain roads a breeze.

Oh, and did we mention that it is one of the only few Kias that comes with idle stop/start technology? How's that for efficiency?

The benefits of buying a small SUV are often highlighted in fuel efficiency. The Kia Stonic is a frugal machine that won't break the bank when filling up. It has an official combined fuel economy rating of 5.4L/100km, making it one of the most efficient small SUVs on the market. In real-world testing, expect to get around 6L/100km in mostly city driving. This makes for a great result that will certainly save you some money at the pump. On the other hand, the 1.4L four-cylinder Kia Stonic Sport only manages 6.7L/100km. Still, this is very respectable for a small SUV. These fuel economy figures make the Stonic an excellent

the choice for those who value efficiency and want to save money in the long run.

Some drivers are hesitant to get behind the wheel of a small SUV. After all, these vehicles are often exceptionally lightweight and don't offer the same level of protection as their bigger siblings. Fortunately, the Kia Stonic SUV is equipped with an impressive suite of safety features that ensure the safety of all passengers is paramount.

Regarding its safety ratings, the Stonic gets a 9-star ANCAP rating. That's a testament to the advanced safety technologies onboard, such as the Forward Collision Warning System, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, Rear Parking Sensors, and Driver Attention Alert, as well as Pedestrian Recognition. Now, that line-up of excellent safety tech is not something you would expect to find in similar-priced small SUVs, so the Korean brand deserves a lot of credit for packing all these features into the Stonic.

Kia Stonic is an attractive choice for tech-savvy buyers. First, it's equipped with a large 8-inch touchscreen display, giving you access to the Kia Connect suite of connected services. This allows you to stay in touch with your Kia Stonic even when you're not inside it.

The Stonic also comes with various modern conveniences such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto operated via Bluetooth, a multi-function steering wheel, and a Smart Key for push button start. Added to this is a six-speaker sound system which will help you enjoy your favorite tunes on the go.

While it may not have some of the higher-end tech features found in more expensive cars, like wireless charging and a digital instrument cluster, the Stonic still offers plenty of modern features for its price.

When you buy the GT-Line trim of the Kia Stonic, you can expect plenty of comfort and style features to ensure you always travel and arrive in style.

The cabin of the Stonic is very spacious and comfortable, with plenty of legroom for passengers in both the front and rear seats. The Kia offers an array of storage conveniences, including a big cubby beneath the center stack with a shelf integrated into it and large door pockets that allow you to carry your everyday items easily. With five seats in place, the boot capacity is quoted at a generous 332L. But if you need more space for transporting luggage and other items, fold them to enjoy 1132L of storage!

Driver visibility is also excellent, thanks to the large windows and the poise of the car's stance. You can expect other style and comfort features, including BI-LED Projector Headlights, Automatic Climate Control, and fabric seats with leatherette bolsters.

The exterior of the Kia Stonic also ticks all the right boxes. Its body is sleek and sporty, with a muscular shoulder line that gives it an athletic stance. The GT-Line trim also gets a set of stylish 17-inch alloy wheels and sporty LED taillights.

In this blog, we set out to see if the Kia Stonic is one of the best small SUVs in Australia. After a comprehensive look at its features and specs, it's safe to say that the Stonic is undoubtedly one of the best.

It offers a great combination of style, comfort, tech, and safety features, all at a beautiful price point. So if you're in the market for a new small SUV, then the Kia Stonic is worth checking out. Not only will you save money in the long run, but you'll also be driving one of the safest and most technologically-advanced cars on the road. And when you get the best finance deal on your new Kia, the whole package becomes even more attractive.

When you choose Driva as your car financing partner, you're choosing to get access to the best deals from over 30 different lenders across Australia. At Driva, we make it easy for you to secure the perfect car loan for your new Kia Stonic, so why not get in touch with us today and find out what savings you could make? You can use our online calculator to get a quick quote on your chosen loan amount and repayment term or call us to learn more about how Driva can help you in your car-buying journey. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Is Kia Stonic a reliable car?

Yes, the Kia Stonic is a reliable car. It has been built with high-quality materials and components designed to withstand the test of time. Additionally, Kia offers a 7-year, unlimited-kilometer warranty, which helps provide buyers peace of mind.

Where is Kia Stonic made?

The Kia Stonic is assembled in Pakistan. The Pakistani car market is highly competitive, meaning Stonic benefits from high build quality and reliable components. 

Is Kia Stonic discontinued?

Due to slow sales, the Stonic was regretfully discontinued in South Korea in 2020. Thankfully, it is still available in many countries, including Australia. This means you can still be sure of finding great deals on a new Kia Stonic.

Is Kia Stonic good on fuel?

Yes, the Kia Stonic is good on fuel. The GT-Line has a combined fuel consumption of just 5.4L/100km, so you can look forward to saving on the rising energy cost with every drive. The Kia Stonic Sport consumes 6.7L/100km, which is still very good.