2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line review: Like a Rio, but bigger

How do you pronounce the Kia Stonic? Is it Stonic or Stonich? Anyway, the 2021 Kia Stonic has been updated and the facelift now comes with a GT-Line variant, which has a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine. Paul Maric tests it out to see if this small car that shares a platform with the Kia Rio is worth checking out.
Hardness tester results: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Read the full review: www.carexpert.com.au/car-revi...
Skip Ahead:
Intro: 00:00
Exterior 00:53
Interior 03:16
Infotainment 04:55
Safety Tech 06:35
Practicality 07:13
On the road 10:26
Verdict 15:45
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#kia #stonic #review #gtline

[@AmberMarrrie]

I like your reviews because you show everything (even the key) Much better for a casual buyer and not someone that’s super into cars

[@Richard-sl8we]

You can't expect material quality to be equal to a Carnival at this price point. Good looking car, priced competitively. Like the GT-Line in blue. Good review Paul.

[@jay-uo2bi]

The exterior is FANTASTIC (apart from the rear bumper), the interior is already showing its age and price.

[@jeremymcbride8729]

Ordered one today. Drove it twice and yer, didn’t really have any issues. 6-8 week wait, but yer, it’s going to be a good run around town car and a good learner car for my daughter when she is old enough. Good reviews as always Paul.

[@Shekhie]

Hey, how’s the car running. I am going to buy one. If you can share your experience with the car.

[@jeremymcbride8729]

@@Shekhie it’s been awesome mate. Just wish it had radar cruise and front parking sensors. If it had them 2 items, it’d be prefect.

[@robcig]

Great review, thanks mate. One question, if it were your money, would you buy this or the Mazda CX3?

[@purple2275]

I have a 2020 Kia Rio. Great little car. I bought an i drive throttle controller. It attaches to your accelerator plug, takes out the lag. It has 9 levels so you can choose the best one that suits you. Totally recommend it. Does nothing to affect your new car warranty. Eco mode is a default in most cars. I had a rav4 hire car that did the same thing.

[@jinng8694]

Great job Paul. Love the thorough reviews and the honesty. Agree that it looks a generation old. Some penny pinching I bet at this lower end of SUV segment. Am looking forward to when you can review the new gen Toyota Kluger. Cheers.

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching and we’re looking forward to driving the new Kluger. It looks great!

[@CharcoaI]

Great review! You mentioned the Toyota Yaris Cross - are you doing a review of it soon?

[@ashutoshyelleshwaram2464]

Hi Paul, Really like your videos and your in-depth reviews. Can you please review the Skoda Kamiq 85 TSI. Thanks

[@CarExpertAus]

Thank you! Yes we will try and get our hands on one :-)

[@Lainv2]

you know what I will never be touching? the dash bit above the instrument cluster. What I will be touching a lot is the LCD screen, can you try to shake those next time please?

[@arshmalik6940]

Hey Palu I love to watch your reviews Love form INDIA

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@stevesanelli90]

Great review. I’ve always thought this version of a jacked up Kia Rio would be just a little small. Perhaps great for urban work? I find it’s best to use manual mode when driving the Rio as the dual clutch is lazy & hesitant. It’s naturally calibrated for economic reasons, and drive wise, it lacks punch until it spins up. I’d go a Seltos instead. Kia make great cars. I think better than the main brand that owns them.

[@wandahoward2624]

Hello Paul, I like your review on this car. My daughter bought this last year and in red, and she is really happy with it. I have driven it a few times and I have trouble getting comfortable in it because of the modern things it has, things my Magna Advance does not plus I have had it since it was about two years old so it's really comfortable.

[@nevillesommerfeld3156]

Haha, looking to upgrade my 2001 Magna Advance as it is approaching 400,000km. Not sure any new car will feel as comfortable as one owned for 20 years.

[@saberaazizi3059]

Amazing video I have stonic and really you showed all about this car

[@simoncouch1523]

another wicked review thank you!

[@CarExpertAus]

Glad you liked it!

[@simoncouch1523]

@@CarExpertAus always love your reviews the best on the tube

[@Kaal_Bhairava1]

Saw you on sunrise today talking about electric vehicles. Good on you 👍

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@thyliamm8158]

Great review, love watching your reviews, Wouldn’t the delay in throttle be due to the turbo spooling up rather then the gear box?

[@-TJ-]

Hoping to see a Kamiq Monte Carlo review. I have a weird liking for that car, even though I am not the target audience. It seems to tick all the boxes.

[@attomicchicken]

Rented a base model Stonic recently. I wasn't able to change the driving modes but I didn't like the way the engine worked one bit. It really did seems underpowered for what it was. I here the same from the 1.6 Hyundai equivalent. Would really like to know of something with a bit more oomph for

[@letsseeif]

On looks Paul. AGREE. It's four years old in UK/Europe. Seems good as a daily, although, prefer torque converter for that. Safety Suites should be on all models. Sure they add cost but not too much. And As for Safety Tech Globally, it's "a work in progress", but necessary. thanks for your video review on a car that I think will sell well.

[@VANJA1980]

Stonić , Jugić , Marić etc., hehe, počelo je sve s ćevapčić. Dobar video i auto :)Nadam se da će jedan video bit s našim Rimcem bez ić :)

[@himanshuhamal4236]

Hey Paul, Would love a comparison video between Kia Rio gt and polo 85tsi comfortline.

[@manankalariya]

hey mate long time watcher first time commenting love your plays on the cars nobody does it like you :) i recon you should look at the more UTE's in the market coz there are so many companies coming up like LDV. let me know your views in UTE's

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching! Plenty more Ute content coming up 😁

[@lisab8078]

Great review, agree the cruise control and lack of blind spot monitoring bothered me (or ability to option up to include these) plus I would have liked passenger height adjustment. I found it ok over speed bumps

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching. And agreed, it's strange this missed out on radar cruise and blind spot monitoring.

[@kelbell275]

Ive seen people with blind spot monitoring on and still nearly cut me off so 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@mightybygrace.]

Great positive Attitude you have there, by talking native Aussie English I wouldn't call you something other that an Australian, they should be happy for having you :)

[@bahadorsalami9938]

Thanks for the review. Would you please do a review on Yaris Cross as well?

[@CarExpertAus]

Coming next week!

[@christinegriffin4131]

Will you be doing a review on the Kia Rio GT line?

[@bloatedtonydanza7798]

😆 the comment about the coffee ☕️ brilliant!

[@CarExpertAus]

😅

[@autonewstv86]

Not available in North America as usual... Love the color contrast. Very stunning. Car actually looks a bit like the BMW X2 from the rear 3/4 and a stubby short Sportage in front

[@archechme]

Drive up the prices of fuel and you'd see them pretty soon.

[@tavorrulez]

Nah. Knowing Americans and their big ego for big engines that guzzle fuel, small turbo engines like the VW’s 1.0 TSi, 1.4 Tsi or 1.5 Tsi are inexistent.

[@archechme]

@@tavorrulez Yeah, their big engines are only possible due to one thing: cheap gas. There's a reason your average pickup in the UK doesn't go above 3.0L and that's with a diesel motor.

[@hazridge]

Yeah but the Soul isn't available in Australia anymore. I'd much rather have that than this...

[@nope6786]

That’s the thing, I hate the look of the sportage

[@Cheshire090]

Nice one! Good on you Paul 👍

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@cantthinkofabloodyname9516]

Nice review! KIA really moving up in the automotive industry

[@ertugrulklc1048]

Is there a gt version of that car or they just produce gt line instead?

[@matthewnew13]

Nice review. Interesting little car. Have you reviewed the Subaru XV? Your the best reviewer going around and would love to know your opinion

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks mate! Not just yet but will hopefully get our hands on one soon!

[@aerienix]

I was expecting the GT-Line to be around the price of the Cerato GT. Pleasantly surprised that it’s under 30k! Notably lacking a blind spot monitor, but not a dealbreaker considering it’s tiny.

[@b.p.r.]

So I’m looking at the sport version How can you change the drive mode in that? And does it also default to Eco mode

[@ryanjones8326]

i haven't gotten thru the full video yet but like you said, it does look like a kia rio's big brother. i have a 4th gen rio and i kind of wish some of these parts would fit on my rio. the back bumper for example

[@thomascamp8869]

Engine here in the U.K. is slightly different. The GT-Line, Connect and GT-Line S if bought with the DCT gearbox, get 118BHP with 200Nm. The GT-Line S here also comes with the likes of blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, etc. Whilst I haven’t driven this, I imagine it would be nigh identical to my new Rio with the same engine/gearbox (which too is more powerful that the Australian version for some reason). The only thing that I would find a little annoying is the load lip for the boot. Finally, the versions over in the U.K. are mild hybrids so we have a large battery under the boot floor instead of a spare wheel - this is due to EU emission regulations despite not even being part of the EU anymore....

[@michaelnazzani6434]

Hey Paul, great video! Quick question. Do you have any plans to review the MG3. Looking at one but wondering if the $16,500 price tag is too good to be true... thanks:)

[@CarExpertAus]

Not at this stage - I’d give it a wide berth. It has a very poor crash rating.

[@seanyq1]

@@CarExpertAus And it's Chinese!

[@mohjamaica1993]

wouldnt this car comepte with cx30?its same size as a cx30

[@troymaiden7274]

Great review as always Paul. Your review - - good or bad is always informative.. I personally DO NOT like the new Kia logo!!

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@Grvmps]

The default Eco mode on starting is annoying. You would get used to turning it off though, just like I turn off stop/start every time I get in my Golf! :)

[@JediJT74]

Best car reviewer on KZbin

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks mate!

[@igorshtorm71]

Hi Paul, lower the tire pressure and the ride becomes softer as well as less noisy. As an owner of 2020 model can tell that it does work.

[@davidvonkarlsson]

Bought a new one yesterday. I just love it.

[@CarExpertAus]

Congrats on the purchase!

[@davidvonkarlsson]

@@CarExpertAus Thanks😎

[@BigiGuyyyy]

How fuel efficient is the car?

[@davidvonkarlsson]

@@BigiGuyyyy Do you measure in miles per gallon or liters per 100 km?

[@isaachunt5799]

@@davidvonkarlsson 50 mpg or 5.5l per 100 km's my sons new kia ceed 1.5t is better economy. utter waste of time this mild hybrid crap

[@TheSslover]

Best Aussie car reviewer.

[@mahyarhesari4251]

What’s the difference between this and Seltos?

[@ABDO-xw9wm]

Great review, waiting for the new Santafe review

[@CarExpertAus]

Coming soon! Unfortunately we can't get one until March.

[@LynneMangold]

the stonic brochure states rear led combination lights although in your video review it states there are not led's. can you explain this.

[@CarExpertAus]

Hi Lynne - if you look closely at the rear shot of the vehicle you can see the incandescent globes. They may use an LED for the upper brake light, but I couldn’t see any LEDs on the rear lights.

[@HAssifi]

Can you please do a video comparing Skoda Komiq with VW t-roc / t-cross. Thanks

[@CarExpertAus]

We're still working on a comparison format but will have something soon!

[@d.j.z.j]

Agree man, as comparison videos are amazing as it gives a great side by side, it must be a lot of work. Great channel Paul

[@Mikjcal]

I’m looking at getting a new car for my mum as it will be her 70th at the end of the year. I know she wants a small SUV. So far I’ve narrowed down to the Stonic GT, Seltos Sport, and Kona Active. Thanks heaps for this review it’s helping trying to decide.

[@davidvonkarlsson]

What did you get?

[@Mikjcal]

@@davidvonkarlsson I actually ended up putting in an order for a Volkswagen T-Cross Style. Was a choice I hadn’t considered back then. But it ticked all the boxes. Massive wait time though as the delivery date is November, but should be just in time for her birthday.

[@davidvonkarlsson]

@@Mikjcal Alright. I've bought the Stonic gt line and I just love it🙂

[@indetailcarcaresolutions3770]

Nice presentation Paul, but I’m going to buy a Kamiq before this.

[@tylerhaines2023]

Paul is cranking out these videos, I love what you can get in a car now for the average price of 35k Paul id like to suggest the Kia Sportage, its a car my family owns, its a really great car and id like to see if you could review one

[@TheSumitsetia]

I own Kia Sportage its good and reliable no problem in 4 years but the 2l engine is underpowered only 192 kW of torque high up the range not good enough for 1.5-tonne car

[@tylerhaines2023]

@@TheSumitsetia yes ill be the first to admit that its not "torkey" as I spell it, Id always suggest getting the GT-Line, its just worth it, whenever I drive it if you need to make a quick speed off the line it just does nothing, it races to 4500rpm and feels like your going nowhere, you need the turbo version for that low end torque that can boot you out of the driveway and out of the corners lol

[@kevinf7471]

Wow was actually going with the missus to test drive this, didn't relize its rio based, will stick with seltos gt, cheers for the awesome review Paul!

[@CarExpertAus]

If you're happy to spend a little extra the Seltos is worth it!

[@isaachunt5799]

just bought a new hybrid one of these. the hybrid adds nothing to this car. 50 mpg. my sons new kia ceed 1.5t does 53 mpg. can someone please explain to me why this 48v system was added? regen braking drives me crazy. only works sometimes. not sure we can keep this car tbh.

[@waynebateman1664]

The Seltos is as small as I would go, but looks good in red and stuff won't slide out of the boot on hills.

[@jamesgowing3856]

It has been overseas in Europe or at least Britain for a couple of years, so I guess that is why you are noticing the dated interior/exterior. Probably an Ok run about in the city if you needed a second car or buying your first car.

[@craigthacker]

The best feature is that all colours are only $65 more than the standard white. I have never seen that in any other car. They are usually $500-$1000 different.

[@tldrinfographics5769]

Pure margin for car makers

[@tenzinlhatso.thegoddessofo7264]

When r u going to make a review on kamiq... Eagerly waiting ... Plz

[@CarExpertAus]

It’ll be a month or so away ;-)

[@gyap76]

Good honest review. Sounds like Kia dropped the ball on the Stonic....which is disappointing after seeing the release of the Carnival and Sorrento. Think it's the price point. Guess Kia needs circa $35K or so to make a decent car (referring to Cerato GT here is Aust).

[@0bts0]

Mate. Great review... car is of very little interest to me, but think you are doing great reviews.

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@mr.2cents.846]

Actually I don't mind the design. It looks like a sweet, slightly sporty hatchback. Like it the Kona had a sister.

[@person-hg3sq]

Exterior, LOVE the light design. Interior, might aswell get a Seltos.

[@CarExpertAus]

Seltos seems like a better purchase option.

[@b.p.r.]

@@CarExpertAus I am looking at a Seltos Sport plus. With a CVT. Because there DCT it’s not very good.

[@IamJay02]

@@b.p.r. cvt won't be any better

[@b.p.r.]

@@IamJay02 yes I know. I heard it’s one of the better ones.

[@timber8645]

Great review, except you showed a CX-30 as a Cx-3.

[@dragospahontu]

Is this Direct Injected?

[@stp22]

That is one good looking Stonich, the car is not bad either

[@malindubassmusic1644]

How much is this car?

[@benturton3358]

Thanks mate! Completely not my style but had to watch anyway

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@Anoopworks]

Is this same as the Hyundai i20?

[@CarExpertAus]

They share the same platform, but the i20 compares more to the Rio in terms of size.

[@thevillagemayor392]

I wonder what is the reason why Kia Motors South Africa did not bring such a cute little car to SA.

[@MysteriousMarsupial]

Couldn't pull the skin off a rice custard 🍮

[@HughesyTech]

Ouch at the engine. May as well get a Cerato GT for a bit more. That being said, more and more folks going for SUV design.

[@SACarContent]

I'm a big Kia fan, however I don't feel as though it lives up to the 'GTline' badge. For a top of the range small 'SUV' it should have those features buyers are after, as well as a better look and just simple upgrades like LED tail lights and faux leather interior. Just falls short of a top of the range car in my opinion.

[@adoreslaurel]

Power output over the 1400 cc is not significant and with the 1400 you get a 6 speed torque converter trans. Good to see they have not gone down the shitter and deleted the handbrake lever.

[@kia-thepowertosurprise5325]

Simplicity, reliability, value for money !!! 👌🏆👍 Warranty: 7 Years UNLIMITED KM 🏆

[@mga71]

Dont exactly think with that name your comment would not be biased :-) but I have a stinger gt and I am very happy with it.

[@aerienix]

Well consider me surprised!

[@1fatsussex]

So it's noisy inside,has a clunky gearbox and a laggy engine but still a 🏆?

[@fernandoherrera8046]

I have a Cerato GT Sedan and love it! But this one is clearly underdone and in my opinion needs more to deserve that GT line badge.

[@Peter-ld3zb]

Set your mirrors correctly blind spot would not be needed. It's just a gimmick. Just think it needs a little more power. Having owned a Rio I found this to be a little underpowered. Though it was great for a second car.

[@neilleggoe8647]

Question Mr Paul This Kia or the MG HS ???? Nearly same price point

[@ashutoshyelleshwaram2464]

Good question given both offer 7 year warranty.

[@CarExpertAus]

Tough call! The tech in the HS feels a bit archaic (that infotainment system and constant beeping), but it's a much bigger car.

[@laxmitamang753]

mg hs sits in the bigger segment than the stonic. it sits with the mg zs and zst. i would take the mg zst anyday given more features at the similar price

[@Rally4Life1982]

I noticed that you didn't mention at the end that only the top trim has the 1.0L turbo. We have a 1.4L Rio (4speed, "yes" 4speed in 2018) and it is sooo slow with A/C on full. Its also not very frugal in summer. I'd choose a Puma over this every day of the week. People that buy this are clearly uninformed or choosing it because of its looks/brand. The Rio is not a brilliant car, the Fiesta is....those details carry over in these sorts of crossovers.

[@davidwarwick8123]

The wife has the Rio GT and the stonic is exactly the same interior, and same space. So it's basically a Rio with an SUV shell.

[@jerrymyahzcat]

FYI: SUVs based off cars are called Crossovers. Those are all great examples of Crossovers.

[@waynebateman1664]

I wondered why they started calling them crossovers !

[@jerrymyahzcat]

@@waynebateman1664 Yup. Definition of a Crossover is a vehicle that’s (raised, often AWD/4WD and) based off a passenger car (sedan/hatch). Both SUVs and Crossovers could be either Body on Frame or Monocoque in theory too. But Crossover based on car; SUV based on either nothing (new platform) or what some would call a Truck (Ute here in Australia) such as Ford Everest SUV is based on a Ford Ranger & Toyota Fortuner SUV is based on the Toyota HiLux. All Land Rovers are SUVs not Crossovers as none are based on a car platform.

[@westaussie9497]

Is this a replacement. For the Rio?

[@CarExpertAus]

Not quite :-) this shares a platform with the Rio.

[@richieduck67]

I think I'm stoic about this

[@waynebateman1664]

I'm glad they didn't call it a Rio Cross !

[@martinblyth1613]

A 1.2 turbo engine would be awesome

[@justtime79]

This stonic isn't brand new model. It launched in 2017(Korea). That's why it has a different design language and missed some safety features. Anyway thanks for the great review all the time Paul!

[@CarExpertAus]

The Stonic is new to Australia and the GT-Line is new to the Stonic range.

[@administraider]

ik heb een kia stonic 1.0 turbo 88 kw 120 pk .hij is van 2020 de black edition uitvoering . bijn het zelfde als de GT line enkel meer pk in europa . nadeel is ook reaktie van het gaspedaal .te traag vind ik persoonlijk. voor de rest een zalige auto

[@jdmderick]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="585">09:45</a> damn that's a bad spray job.....

[@stendecstretcher4983]

I have owned a Cerato and I30 both cars mediocre, both cars needed more sound proofing. Looks like a cloned MG ZST. Moved across to a Corolla way ahead in every way. Just my opinion. Good review thankyou.

[@pedrocarvalho6514]

It’s the Hyundai Venue in a Kia body. The Venue has a bit more engine power..

[@user2144]

When will the 300 Series Toyota Landcruiser see light?

[@CarExpertAus]

Hopefully before the end of the year - fingers crossed!

[@UFO-35]

I think you need to point at everything a bit more....not, your driving me crazy with your close up pointing at everything, otherwise, your awesome 😎

[@Volks2462]

Looks like something that would of sold well in 2015

[@wilson2455]

stiill buying the Mazda CX-3 ' Maxx Sport'...

[@dariopaolini5156]

It's 'old Kia' because it was launched in 2017, and as usual, Australia has had to wait.

[@stendecstretcher4983]

I agree we get the leftover cars here.

[@blazedkermit3338]

It's a jacked up Rio.

[@richieduck67]

Crazy not to get a Kamiq instead

[@dinohermann1887]

Get a Kona or Puma instead 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@mwangidennis8193]

That car looks cute, better than the Nissan juke

[@rforracemode5846]

Sorry, but id take a Mazda CX-30 before this anyday. I agree with you Paul, it looks like it was made before the sorrento and carnival and missed out on all the luxuries.

[@paulgrefalda7597]

😍😍😍

[@MLife1972]

Great review for a mediocre car. Thanks for the detailed and pleasant review.

[@stevegraham7139]

Kia interiors are quite dated, manual handbrake unless you shoot for higher model, the gear selector looks 20 years old and dials are quite old school as well. Front of the Stonic could be a little nicer too. Good review though.