KIA Stonic finally arrives in Australia

Kia Stonic joins the already impressive SUV line up for KIA in Australia. Already a success overseas, the Stonic is halfway through its model life cycle, yet KIA still manages in COVID times to ‘Australianise” the urban crossover SUV.

• European styling with youthful character
• Class leading connectivity with Wireless Connectivity and Multi-Connection Bluetooth
• Advanced active safety
• Tuned for Australian conditions

Developed off the core Rio platform, the first generation of the Stonic was released in Europe in 2017 and while at the time KMAu prioritised the impressive Seltos for the local market, the upgraded Stonic PE has ticked the right boxes to join the local SUV range.

The Stonic will come to the Australian market with a pair of proven engines _ the Kappa 1.4-litre MPI with 74kW and 133Nm and the 1.0-litre turbo GDI with 74kW and 172Nm exclusive to the GT-Line _ driving the front wheels through choice of 6-speed manual or automatic for the 1.4 and a 7-speed DCT for the turbo GT-Line.

“When Stonic was first mooted we had a close look at it and made the decision that Seltos made a more attractive proposition for the Australian market _ a decision backed by the fact that at the time, there was limited Stonic supply available for Australia,” Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer Damien Meredith said.

“With Seltos firmly established and very importantly, a significant increase in Stonic supply to accommodate our sales expectations, there is a much more compelling case for this sporty urban crossover with all the safety, value, style and practicality at the core of Kia’s DNA.

“What Stonic offers are all the touch points people find so desirable in an SUV-style vehicle in a practical, urban-sized package which is both affordable and easy to live with.”

Like all new Kias, the Stonic benefits from extensive standard equipment across the three-model range _ S, Sport and GT-Line _ and KMAu’s extensive localised ride and handling tuning program.

KIA Stonic Pricing and Models

Starting at $22,990 drive away for the S manual ($1000 extra for 6-speed automatic) Stonic comes standard with six airbags, car/pedestrian/cyclist detection AEB, Lane Following Assist, reversing camera with dynamic parking guidelines, rear parking sensors, driver attention alert, cruise control, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto (S trim only), multi-connection Bluetooth, 8-inch Multimedia touchscreen, 6-speaker sound system, 4.2-inch TFT LCD driver’s cluster, 15-inch steel wheels and auto headlights.

Stepping up to the Sport at $24,990 drive away for the manual ($1000 extra for automatic) the specification adds 17-inch alloy wheels, smart key with push button start, 8-inch multimedia touchscreen with navigation, 10-year Mapcare updates with SUNA Traffic, electric folding mirrors and premium steering wheel and shifter.

For the top of the range GT-Line ($29,990 drive away) the addition of the 1.0-litre turbo GDI engine, 7-speed dual clutch transmission and its unique and sportier suspension tune, sets the model apart as the hero member of the range. The GT-Line also gains a set of bespoke 17-inch alloys, idle-stop-and-go (also on manual S and Sport), an identifying body package, MFR LED headlights, two tone colour or sunroof, cloth and artificial leather seats, climate control air conditioning, privacy glass and electrochromic mirror.

Stonic is available in seven colours for the 1.4-litre car _ Clear White, Silky Silver, Perennial Grey, Aurora Black Pearl, Signal Red, Mighty Yellow and Sport Blue _ while the GT-Line has the option of four exclusive two-tone treatments _ Clear white with Aurora Black Pearl roof, Mighty Yellow and Aurora Black Pearl roof, Sporty Blue with Aura Black Pearl Roof and Signal Red with Aurora Black Pearl Roof. Silky Silver is not available on GT-Line.

All colours except for Clear White are considered premium and attract an additional $520 cost.

More details to follow after a comprehensive drive test.