2021 Kia Stonic GT Line Video Review

Kia’s Stonic: A Slow Burner Waiting to Explode.

Kia Stonic went on sale a little while ago, and its numbers, though already impressive, are set to explode once supply is sorted out.

Last month, Kia moved 745 Stonics, a great total by any measure. That is still a fair way off Seltos’ 1097 and Cerato’s 2711. Numbers are good, but more Stonics would feature on driveways if only Kia could sort out the supply. Covid has strip-mined the auto industry with delivery promises left in tatters. You might well ask then why I was so impressed, and the answer is simple: Stonic is cute, fun, and cheap, like her be-hatched siblings.

When you walk into a Kia showroom, you’ll notice a demarcation right down the middle, and on one side is Sorento, Seltos and Carnival basking in a halo techy goodness. Everything else is on the other side, trying their level best not to look slightly depressed. Perhaps that’s unkind, because they don’t look bad, but they don’t cut quite the same dashing Darcy-esque silhouette as the shiny new things.

We recently reviewed the Niro, and came away slightly downcast. It wasn’t about design, but more about price, and it was too soft and squidgy. Stonic however, leaves us with no such misgivings. It is young and fun, and at a price commensurate with its quality. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that it is excellent value even with one or two nifty knickknacks a no-show.

Above: This Week 2021 Kia Stonic GT Line FULL Review

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ABOVE: 2021 Kia Stonic GT Line FULL Review

I speak of course, of blind spot monitor and active cruise control. They are not available, and unlikely to make an appearance, as Stonic is only a few years away from a brand new model. Normally I’d put these transgressions on a spit, and dowse generously with lighter fluid, but no. Stonic makes up for it with a generously laden cabin, fabulous ride, and positively miserly drinking habits.

Stonic is not a rocket, nor is it a warp-10-cornering time machine. Instead, it is a clever, comfortable little city car that, like a faithful terrier, is eager to please.

The exterior is neat and tidy, and for most of us, has more than a passing resemblance to a compact hatchback rather than the hulking brutality of an SUV. The LED lighting has dusk sensing, and hidden beneath the bonnet of our GT Line is a petite 1.0L 3-cylinder turbo and a 7 speed DCT automatic. Stonic isn’t intended to venture too far into the wilds, unless you consider Coles’ carpark to be a trek.

The Drive:

The little SUV punches above its weight, and eagerly devoured enough bags for a weekend for four, and as keenly coped with four boys on board. Girlie squeals came when it was time to choose a CarPlay song list.

Hint: the driver always wins.

Shorter peeps prefer the back, or more precisely, taller peeps don’t fit in the back. The evening drive had the travellers cocooned in a cosy embrace, shielded from the appalling weather outside. Not only was it freezing cold, but it was raining biblically.

Some of the graded roads at Drover’s Rest are a challenge, but the front wheel drive dispatched the muddier bits with gay abandon. We spent 2 hours each way, and save for the bitching about the music, all was joyous.

Most comments surrounded the quietness of the cabin. Max even said the ride was like a limo. Granted, Max’s life has been largely limo-less, but this is what he imagined, so that has to be worth something right?

There is no hiding Stonic’s modest performance but it is a perfect starter car, second car, or for a grey cruiser who is downsizing.

Since launch, an S has been added to the Sport and GT Line, so this little cutie starts at $23,490 drive away. There is a manual for those who have a spare hand, and an automatic, both on the pov models. The posh model has the GT Line sporting a 7-speed DCT (dual clutch transmission). This type of automatic gives snappier changes, eschewing the blancmange that is the CVT. I mention that because for me, it is the Achilles heel of the bigger sister, Seltos. Those hateful things should be in the bin where they belong.

I loved Stonic. It had the dingleberries bouncing  about like an old pair of click-clacks.

For a list of inclusions CLICK HERE. 

Kia Stonic

Stonic PE 21MY
1.4 MPI Petrol S Manual	1.4 Litre		$21,490		$23,490
1.4 MPI Petrol S Auto	1.4 Litre		$22,990		$24,490
1.4 MPI Petrol Sport Manual	1.4 Litre		$24,490		$25,490
1.4 MPI Petrol Sport Auto	1.4 Litre		$25,990		$26,490
1.0 T-GDI Petrol GT-Line Auto	1.0 Litre		$29,990		$30,490
Premium Paint		$520		$520

Engines:

4cyl, 74kw/133Nm, 6.7/L100k

3cyl, 74kw/172Nm (turbo), 5.4L/100k

Transmissions:

6sp man/6sp auto

7sp DCT

CO2:

155g/k

125g/k

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