2021 Kia Stonic Further Expands Kia’s SUV Range

Despite an initial 2017 global reveal, the 2021 Kia Stonic has been launched in Australia. Priced from $22,990 drive away, the Stonic is based on the Rio small car and opens yet another portion of the SUV market for Kia’s Australian branch: the tiny SUV. On offer are two petrol engines, three models and a generous spread of standard equipment to entice even more new buyers to the Kia brand.

“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 limited Stonic supply available for Australia at that time,” 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.

Measuring 4,140mm long, 1,760mm wide, 1,520mm tall and with a 2,580mm-long wheelbase, the 2021 Kia Stonic fits between the Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Venue in size. Its boot measures a healthy 352-litres with the seats up, and 1,155L with them folded.

In Australia, the 2021 Kia Stonic will offer two drivetrains, both of which feature in the Rio. S and Sport models come with a 74kW/133Nm 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – both a six-speed manual (thank you, Kia!) and a six-speed automatic are available. The GT-Line adds a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that’s matched solely to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 1.4L manual is rated at 6L/100km, the auto 6.7L/100km and the 1.0L turbo 5.4L/100km.

The 2021 Kia Stonic will be offered in three models in Australia: S, Sport and GT-Line. Standard kit on the S (from $22,990 drive away) includes six airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane follow assist, driver attention monitoring, rear occupant alert, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, a reversing camera with rear parking sensors, 15-inch steel wheels, and automatic headlights with daytime running lights and auto high beam.

The Sport (from $24,990 drive away) adds larger 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start with heated and electric-folding mirrors, inbuilt satellite navigation with live traffic updates and a ‘premium’ steering wheel and gearknob.

Aside from its unique drivetrain, the top-spec GT-Line (from $29,990 drive away) adds LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, unique 17-inch wheels, sports suspension, a GT-Line body kit for a sportier appearance, auto start/stop, a sunroof or a two-tone roof design, cloth and ‘premium’ seats, climate control, auto wipers, rear privacy glass and an auto-dimming rear mirror.