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The Kia Stonic could have been a late starter in Australia, however it’s been fairly the success for the Korean model.
With sharp pricing and the surety of Kia’s seven-year guarantee, the Stonic has rapidly overtaken its cheaper Rio hatchback sibling within the gross sales race Down Beneath, and is without doubt one of the hottest autos in its class.
Because it stands the Stonic is Australia’s second-favourite Mild SUV based on VFACTS figures for the primary half of 2022, second solely to the venerable Mazda CX-3 and accounting for 17.6 per cent market share.
Just like the Mazda, and nearly each different competitor, the Kia Stonic is actually a jacked-up model of a hatchback counterpart, on this case the aforementioned Rio.
In Australia the Stonic justifies its premium over the equal Kia Rio with further tools and options to go together with its more durable SUV-inspired seems.
Right here we take a look at the top-spec 2022 Kia Stonic GT-Line to see whether or not the turbocharged flagship is the choose of the bunch.
How a lot does the Kia Stonic GT-Line price?
Whereas the vary kicks off at $21,990 plus on-road prices for the Stonic S guide, the DCT-only Stonic GT-Line proven right here is priced from $30,490 earlier than on-roads or $32,190 drive-away based on Kia’s on-line configurator.
Regardless of being the top-spec member of its mannequin household, the Stonic GT-Line really strains up with base variations of most rivals, significantly these adorning European badges.
Key rivals embrace:
All costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Kia Stonic GT-Line like on the within?
you’d be arduous pressed to seek out any noticeable variations between the Stonic and the Rio hatch on which it’s primarily based.
Which means you get an uncluttered dashboard with clear strains and easy switchgear, in addition to an 8.0-inch high-resolution working the model’s newest infotainment and navigation software program.
Kia and Hyundai’s native interface is clear and enticing with logical menus and snappy response instances, and the Stonic’s commonplace navigation, DAB radio in addition to wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto means it’s nicely featured, too. There’s no embedded modem with on-line providers just like the Ford Puma, nonetheless.
You’re feeling an impression of width and airiness, credit score to the Stonic’s squarer, boxier proportions. You do, nonetheless lack the soft-touch surfaces and leatherette trim on the dashboard – in reality, it’s arduous plastics nearly in all places aside from the elbow rests.
Forward of the motive force there’s analogue dials relatively than digital ones, although the traditional tacho and speedo gauges flank a 4.2-inch color supervision show which exhibits a digital speedometer readout amongst different menus and capabilities. It actually does the job simply positive.
The Kia’s storage options embrace a deep cubby beneath the centre stack with an inbuilt shelf, in addition to giant door bins and a cubby beneath the front-centre armrest.
Consolation up entrance is first rate if not so good as some rivals, largely right down to the seat positioning and vary of adjustment that may restrict decrease again and beneath thigh help in the event you’re tall and leggy like me.
The material upholstery with leatherette bolsters are much less prone to burn your bum in summer season than leatherette trims in rivals, and have a cool design sample to make them much less boring. The flat-bottom GT-Line steering wheel feels superb to carry and arguably is the extra enticing tiller, too.
Hop into the second row and the Stonic is fairly accommodating, with average-sized adults capable of 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 and no 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 ground to even out the step between the boot ground 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 ground, however not any actual storage.
What’s beneath the bonnet
The GT-Line is the one Stonic in Australia to function the model’s 1.0-litre T-GDi turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, shared with the Australian-market Rio GT-Line hatchback.
Like its Rio sibling, the Stonic’s turbo three-pot places out 74kW (4500-6000rpm) and 172Nm (1500-4000rpm), which is distributed to the entrance wheels solely by way of a seven-speed dual-clutch automated as commonplace.
Australia misses out on the extra highly effective 88kW/200Nm model of the identical engine provided in Europe, which is now tied with fuel-saving 48V mild-hybrid know-how. There’s no extra reasonably priced guide choice for the turbo, both.
Like guide variations of decrease grade Stonics, which function a 1.4-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine, the Stonic GT-Line is without doubt one of the few Kia autos in Australia that includes idle cease/begin know-how.
Kia claims the Stonic GT-Line will devour 5.4L/100km on the mixed cycle, with cheaper 91 RON unleaded deemed appropriate for its 45-litre gasoline tank. It additionally quotes emissions of 112g/km.
How does the Kia Stonic GT-Line drive?
The GT-Line model of the Stonic could also be carrying an assortment of sporty styling enhancements, however its really feel on the highway is rather more centered on consolation and effectivity in comparison with one thing like a Ford Puma or Hyundai Kona.
From the second you set off (in default Eco mode, weirdly), the Stonic’s doughy throttle response, gentle controls and muted engine notice is much less participating, however some would possibly desire the extra relaxed vibe.
The Kia’s 1.0-litre turbo has a thrummy notice to it, however the Kia’s is a bit more rattly and harsh in the event you actually boot it. Additional, the seven-speed dual-clutch auto doesn’t really feel desperate to get going off the road (particularly after firing up after the idle begin/cease system has been engaged), and it hunts for top gears a lot earlier within the identify 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.
At metropolis speeds although, the Stonic’s little triple provides ample torque to rise up to signed velocity limits with out stress, and 100km/h isn’t a complete chore to achieve both. As soon as at triple figures, the Stonic settles into seventh at round 2250rpm and fortunately putts alongside.
One factor the Stonic advantages from is a neighborhood suspension tune, one thing Kia’s Australian division has prided itself on for a while. The GT-Line will get a special tune to the S and Sport variations of the Stonic, to be slightly extra consistent with its sportier branding.
The Stonic balances trip consolation with dynamic capability fairly nicely, noticeably softer than one thing like a Ford Puma whereas additionally nonetheless having a great stage of physique management in corners. Nevertheless, sometimes the torsion beam rear finish is slightly sharp and boomy over larger hits.
Likewise the steering is on the lighter facet and isn’t as fast as some rivals, however it’s nonetheless correct and progressive making it a pleasant, fluid factor to steer.
Such is the chassis’s competence that you simply’re left wanting for a extra substantial powertrain. Pity Kia doesn’t supply the beefier 88kW/200Nm tune of the 1.0 T-GDi anymore, given it’s solely out there with costly 48V mild-hybrid tech globally. The additional grunt might go a great 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 Stonics don’t get a spread of driver help techniques provided within the European spec.
Had been we to get the identical out there options as say, Europe and the UK, the Stonic might match most rivals with adaptive cruise management, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Alas no, it’s off the menu for us.
Rivals such because the Toyota Yaris Cross supply a full gamut of help options which primarily facilitate semi-autonomous freeway driving throughout the vary. Plus, a similarly-priced Kia Cerato additionally provides these options.
What do you get?
Stonic GT-Line highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights (reflector-type)
- Computerized headlights
- LED daytime working 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 and Android Auto (wired)
- Six-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 GT-Line protected?
The Stonic carries over the Rio hatchback’s 2017-dated five-star score with testing performed by ANCAP in opposition to the outdated 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 score of 16 out of 16.
Additional, the Rio and Stonic weren’t required to have energetic security options like AEB and lane-keep help to make a five-star threshold.
Normal security options embrace:
- 6 airbags (twin entrance, facet, curtain)
- AEB with pedestrian and bicycle owner detection
- Ahead collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Lane Following Help (centring)
- Lane-keep help
- Driver Consideration Alert
- Lead Automobile Departure Alert
- Rear parking sensors
- Reversing digital camera
Sadly, Australian fashions don’t supply blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise management like European fashions, regardless of being made in the identical manufacturing facility. Identical goes for native variations of the Rio.
How a lot does the Kia Stonic GT-Line 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 $283, $484, $338, $719, $319, $602 and $569, equating to a complete of $3314 for the primary seven years or 70,000 kilometres. Ouch.
The little Stonic was fairly frugal in real-world testing, ending per week of testing displaying an indicated common of 6.6L/100km over 468km of blended driving – first rate, however nonetheless up on Kia’s 5.4L/100km declare.
Our time with the Stonic included largely day by day commuting which blended in high-traffic peak-hour circumstances in addition to freeway use.
As famous earlier, the Stonic GT-Line can run on cheaper 91 RON common unleaded which is uncommon in comparison with rivals.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Stonic GT-Line
Whereas conceptually the Stonic is simply a Rio in SUV dress-ups, it makes a robust case for itself within the Australian market.
Not like areas like Europe and the UK, you possibly can’t get the Rio in Australia specified to the identical stage because the Stonic GT-Line, which means no LED headlights and no satellite tv for pc navigation.
Certain, that doesn’t essentially make the $4000 premium any sweeter, however there’s extra. The Stonic’s boot is over 50L extra accommodating than the Rio’s with 5 seats in use, and 77L extra with the rear seats folded. It additionally rides 25mm greater, which little question helps with ingress and egress.
Altogether the Stonic GT-Line seems like a extra full automobile than the Rio on which it’s primarily based, and at simply over $32,000 drive-away it’s a relative discount in comparison with many rivals, which normally begin at that value level.
We’d wish to see Kia supply the lacking security options out there overseas, however because it stands the Stonic covers all bases after which some, whereas providing sufficient efficiency and effectivity to stay aggressive in opposition to the competitors.
There’s additionally that seven-year guarantee, albeit mixed with dear servicing. If you are able to do with out the turbo punch and a few options, the mid-grade Sport with its naturally-aspirated engine and longer 15,000km service intervals might be a glance.
Click on the pictures for the total gallery
MORE: Everything Kia Stonic
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