Kia Stonic 2021 review | Chasing Cars

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We drive the new 2021 Kia Stonic and see how this small SUV compares.
Is the 2021 Kia Stonic the best compact crossover? This Mazda CX-3 rival squares up to the likes of the Toyota Yaris Cross, Skoda Kamiq and Volkswagen T-Cross, but is the Kia the SUV to buy? The new Stonic is heavily based on the Kia Rio hatchback, but wears more rugged styling and sits a little higher on the road. Two petrol engines are available, but no AWD.
In today’s video, Tom takes a detailed look at the high-spec Stonic GT-Line Turbo DCT to give you detailed insights about this vehicle.
What do you think of this car? Leave a comment below.
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[@silo_fx3182]

Great review. We recently drove the Stonic and Rio in comparison (NZ). The Stonic was the 1.4 non-turbo and the Rio, the GT. We were mainly looking at the access to the car as my wife has 'hip issues' and we are both very different sizes. I am 6ft or so. My wife a bit shorter. Our conclusions: 1) The 1.4 is scary. It is so lacking in power you can end up pulling out of a road, or entering an on-ramp and 'nothing happens' when you accelerate. Was terrible. 2) The 1lt Turbo was great. Agreed on the DCT. You may wonder why there is no 'flappy paddles' for the GT, and I soon realised there is not enough power to warrant them. The DCT stick is enough. Fun to drive, plenty of zip but not really a 'GT'. 3) Entry and exit to the Stonic were not very different to the base hatch. In fact, a bit disappointing. The roof line was quite low and we had to 'duck under' getting in and out. 4) Visibility forward out of the Stonic was somehow impaired? Could see too much bonnet or something? Couldn't quite put our finger on the reason. 5) The base Rio was actually easier to get in and out of as the roof seemed to have more clearance? Yes, SLIGHTLY lower to the ground - but really only slightly. I get it if that makes all the difference to you. Go for the Stonic GT. 6) The base Rio had more forward visibility 7) The base Rio was nicer to drive. In summary (TLDR) we felt that the stonic removed the appeal of the base Rio and added the issues with a small SUV. For us the Rio GT was the way to go. Could sit 3 easily, 4 at a pinch (if my wife drives) and was a really fun car to drive. Hope this helps someone.

[@jeanvonbarberode2377]

I think for this price you can go for Skoda Kamiq, much better value!!! I own Skoda Karoq and I am very happy, good value for money, practical and fun to drive!

[@Jacobtheunwise]

@@jeanvonbarberode2377 i know this was 9 months ago but the kamiq is almost double the price of the stonic here in aus?

[@petermantzounis9746]

Thanks so much - was waiting for a decent review of this car to come out!!

[@allanchapman7986]

Drove one in the UK for around 2000 miles so far. Handled the snow and Ice well. Comfortable drive no real issues with power, suspension etc.

[@bennyboost]

Rio front, baby Sportage at the back. Absolutely love it and a great review. This is a frontrunner on my list of small SUVs to get soon! Always love Kias.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks!

[@limpunsing224]

Seems like a nice urban/suburban car especially in areas with lots of imperfect roads & good value buy too Beautiful video review mate

[@AndrewKNI]

Great review Tom. A nice looking car for the money. Great value secondhand too.

[@Cbr_auh]

Had one of these in Croatia for a year. It was an easy choice against the Kona, T-cross, Vitara, and CX-3, based mainly on the interior (and I did loads of research). A great city car and equally ideal for loading up and taking trips down the coast. The Stonic is attractive inside and out, and drives well, and was happy at 140km/h on the highways. Very sad to see the car is only available in auto, the 6 speed manual was a delight to drive.

[@GregTyson]

Always best reviews from Tom.

[@movielover4244]

Have one Kia stonic now for 2 eyars great car

[@stevekinney7423]

Another very clear and informative review. Personally if I was in the market for a cross-over I think that the Ford Focus Active 1.5L turbo would be a more engaging option.

[@wilson2455]

still buying the Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport..

[@CumBrianFries]

Dude, the exterior design of this car is just PERFECT for me!

[@GregTyson]

Too true

[@carmenzagonzalez2120]

Thanks. Very nice review, I own a Mitsubishi Lancer sport and 2.0lt the car drive beautiful but all features in the cabin are updated so I want to upgrade love this one and Cerato but cannot pass the comments here about the engine. Will check Skoda

[@craigthacker]

The colours on offer are only $65 more than the standard white. Such a nice surprise.

[@francisss6631]

Hey Tom, good review as usual. Is it me or you have upped your tempo ? I much prefer the old you with that cool relaxed style of delivery.

[@chasingcars]

Might have been feeling the pressure on this day Francis!

[@bobsudra501]

Does it have Sat nav and parking aid as standard in automatic Stonis

[@musikforhisglory3174]

seen another KIA Stonic review & the headlamp here is cooler than I thought.. confused if it is stock or mod. even the touchscreen is way bigger..

[@scratchyratface]

Nicer looking than the Venue

[@letsseeif]

The base model will sell well with the caveat that higher models will also as stock increases and deals at dealers. Downside is it is basically four years old. However, this small SUV's upsides are 1. its Eurocentric nature, & 2. as SUV's get ever larger, some balance will occur, as will the need for little nippy city cars. I predict that even smaller ones will follow (nb.climate change) - something between the picanto and the Stonic. [ps. counting the Getz's out there, there's call for them] thanks Tom

[@jsilverchannel]

Cool, we don't have this in Canada

[@Simoss13]

I like everything about the car except for the engine. If they put in a Cerato engine in the Stonic it would be perfect.

[@mga71]

The Cerato GT engine would be good wouldnt it?

[@jamesheggie1854]

Great video and a pretty nice looking car as well, especially for the money. So compared to the likes of the Mazda CX3 and the Ford Puma, what's it like in size comparison, quality and drive? Just curious that's all. Well done once again Tom Baker...

[@mrheyfuckoff1]

I'd say the drive will always be won by the Mazda. Thats their specialty.

[@TheYoyoma3]

Nice review! I think the Skoda Kamiq is a much better buy at this GT price range though. Much better interior and Engine.

[@MareeJaeger]

I was wondering that also but no kamiqs (base model in aus)

[@giontech8072]

Thus KIA stonic have rear camera for reverse?

[@Hokit]

The Stonic’s design, while currently modern, looks like it’ll become dated much quicker compared to the more subtle Yaris Cross or the refined CX-30. Particularly the rear.

[@graemecouch5010]

Yaris cross doesnt have centre armrest ! Major ommision for me !

[@SillentStriker]

I think you just have bad taste if you think the Yaris cross is "subtle" and prettier than this

[@ptitgavroche]

​@@SillentStriker Couldn't agree more. The Yaris Cross looks like a carton box on a good day.

[@CumBrianFries]

Is the sunroof available with the two-tone paint?

[@henrytoussaint7]

Nah only single tone paint :(

[@kristians2704]

why isn't this available in the US?

[@zaamuro8408]

That embargo video release haha

[@Peter-ld3zb]

Nice review Tom. Blind spot is not really needed I think. And having own a Rio the Stonic is a little under powered.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Peter!

[@FreddyGunawan]

Seltos length 4.3m or Sonet length 4m

[@nickimac1072]

I've had one in the UK almost a year now. Lovely car but has just let me down terribly in the snowy conditions. Each time we've had a snowfall it's a no go for the stonic.

[@GG-ud8id]

Thats not really a problem in AU

[@person-hg3sq]

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

[@Peter-vn8ue]

Yes buy a seltos instead with the 1.6 turbocharged engine is the better package than the 2 litre version.

[@TheABS2820]

Kia e niro?? First world ev makes sense

[@_yatab_]

Can they please bring this car to South Africa.

[@lukuscannon9697]

I really like this car but I think it should have been optioned with a better engine and better gearbox just my opinion though

[@rustycage670]

I agree with you!

[@frankopanklaric]

The boot space is the same as the CX3. 352l vs 350l.

[@mohjamaica1993]

cx3 is only 264 litres and cx30 is 317L

[@nguyenquynh8280]

im from vietnames. I want to order how?

[@atan5207]

Hi John, Which one would you choose between Kia Stonic GT vs Skoda Kamiq (disregarding pricing) in term of driving comfort / dynamic and over all driving experience in town and country road. Your comments please?

[@tpv59]

(Tom, Not John!)

[@geoffdrew5207]

Took the turbo engine Stonic for a test drive, it was the most underwhelming car I have driven in a long while. Plenty of better cars in this category at this price point.

[@ellyhizon9489]

Can you name a few small suvs better at the same price point? I just test drove the turbo Stonic and it was okay I guess, but would love to hear your recommendations. Thanks.

[@geoffdrew5207]

@@ellyhizon9489 Of all the cars I have test driven the MG ZST is the stand out and not just for the price. Take one for a drive and you will be impressed, it also comes with a 7 year warranty and reasonably priced servicing. The Hyundai Kona was also good with the 1.6T engine but there were problems with this engine overseas and I believe it is a special order now. To get the Kona up to the level of the MG will cost about $15K more.

[@ellyhizon9489]

@@geoffdrew5207 We test drove the Kona as well and I love that better than the Stonic but it's around $10k more. Haven't been to MG yet, but we'll do that next weekend and try ZST out as recommended. Thanks!

[@MichaelJeffrey]

Oh man. I've got one now as a hire car. So so so underwhelming. I hate how gutless it is.

[@w0mblemania]

This car has been discontinued in South Korea, due to a lack of sales. So... yeah.

[@gregspark1060]

I'm a Kia / Hyundai fan, but their smaller SUVs feel budget, it's a shame as their larger SUVs are very nice. Radar cruise and blind spot monitoring are hard to go without once you've had them.

[@letsseeif]

re radar cruise control. NO-ONE will ever go back once they've had smart cruise. so I agree times 100 + on that

[@cdesmond1888]

The GT Line & GT Line Plus in the Stonic come with Smart Cruise.

[@chriswardle6574]

Had a drive in 2020 model not much room in the front , didnt like at all , currently own a kia soul

[@chloscorner]

Prefer the old lights.

[@lukelawrence6007]

Reminds bit of Honda city

[@MrKeith74lee]

Everything about this car ticks the boxes for me except, I just cannot imagine myself driving around in a puffer fish everyday. So, the hunt for a new compact SUV continues…

[@ingwen]

How is this compared with the Skoda Kamiq?

[@jeanvonbarberode2377]

Skoda Kamiq is much more better value and better quality as well, I own Karoq and I am very happy with Skoda, practical, fun to drive and reliable!

[@chasingcars]

Kamiq is more upmarket and refined inside, but the packaging on both vehicles is pretty good

[@Rally4Life1982]

Looks nice but that's as far as I'd go. The 1.4L engine is horrible in the RIO, the 1.6L of yesteryear was much better. Fuel economy is rubbish over summer with the 1.4L and A/C on full. You feel like getting out and pushing (I have one). I'd keep on moving to the Seltos.

[@chasingcars]

I'd probably move a little further to the Sportage diesel, which is a really good product. But it always depends on budget!

[@julzyin]

I see GM ZS from the back

[@chasingcars]

I did too, Julz.

[@emma5176]

7:24 man you lost me with this type of stuff 😅

[@viand451]

Very similar to kia rio x/x-line for Russian market, as i see.

[@inctru]

None of the cooler & smaller vehicles ever hit the North American market. :( Our market is garbage.

[@Gdsamplify]

Rear looks like MG ZS

[@orwellianyoutube8978]

3:37 I fail to understand why some countries still drive on the wrong side of the road ;)

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

My manboobs approve of the Stonic. That extra 43mm will give me the edge in the rugged Woollies car park. It's a Rio and I'm paying an extra $3K for a lift kit? What does this do better than a Rio I wonder... I can't see it. (Well, apart from making it harder for little kids to get in and out of)

[@kazimierznorejko5853]

👍👍👍

[@karankumar-gt5zt]

Its a #Hatchback ! Stop addressing it as a ‘SUV’ or cross ! Just a outer lower full 360 plastic cladding and a little higher ground clearance doesn’t make a cross or SUV !

[@JohnSmith-nz4bn]

Poor conversions from LHD to RHD? Every German ever. At least the Koreans convert the big stuff like door openings (tail gates or complete swap ala Veloster), indicator stalks and bespoke Australian suspension tuning. Who cares about stuff that can be done through the steering wheel. From a disappointed VW owner.

[@jeanvonbarberode2377]

I guess Skoda would not disappoint you as VW, I am happy owner of Skoda Karoq, this Skoda goes strong and cheap for maintenance!

[@JohnSmith-nz4bn]

@@jeanvonbarberode2377 Genuinely awesome to hear, truly. But Skoda suffer the same conversion issues as their VW counterparts.

[@jeanvonbarberode2377]

@@JohnSmith-nz4bn I own Karoq 1.5TSI, purchased for 28K from Melbourne dealer with 1500km on the clock and I am very happy, good and punchy engine, practical, good driving experience and affordable service costs. I can't see any conversion issues in my case, DSG is working perfectly and is not really jerky, just my experience with Karoq.

[@JohnSmith-nz4bn]

@@jeanvonbarberode2377 Not saying it's a bad car and I haven't had a VW loaner while mine VW is been serviced so it could have changed, but things like indicator stalks not being swapped is more of an issue to me then having the power/volume knob on the passenger side, which mine also is btw. Particularly as that function is super easy through the steering wheel controls. Again, not saying it's a problem in the same vein as a defect, just seems strange that it's identified as a negative in this video, when it's never previously been raised when European cars have been tested. Hence why I mentioned the big things in my first comment. Could also mention folding seat back mechanism as another thing the euros don't typically swap either. Ultimately I was pointing out Korean car manufacturers go to far my effort for converting to the Australian market than the Germans. Glad you're enjoying your car though!

[@Mr11ESSE111]

Kia Stonic are humongous fuel eater especially at higher speeds at highways !! Basically it eats more fuel then bigg suvs with 300+hp as x5 or toureg

[@chasingcars]

It's true that the fuel use was about the same as an X5 25d tested recently

[@Mr11ESSE111]

@@chasingcars thst is on lower speeds and on higher are much more do from 150-180kmh are 12-17+liters and that are over Cayene turbo consumption

[@deananthony3170]

saw the rear seats and boot and Im like Nah, this is not it.

[@fazeelaghouze1174]

7

[@johndonaldson3619]

For 0 - 60 kph, the Stonic is a WHOLE 3 seconds slower than a mazda cx 3 ..its a slug!

[@ydmf2]

Sonet has more features. Exterior style is not as nice.

[@kevinb9986]

Odd, all give favourable comments, wife and I discounted it within about 5kms of driving, noisy, not smooth on the road. Interior very dated compared to other Kia models.

[@harryspratt6186]

Pretty good review but funny how the ugly Yaris Cross gets a few wraps along the way.

[@evyataravidan]

Sometimes I have no idea what ausies are saying ...

[@bobbailey7024]

Is this a CX3 beater? No.

[@vickoslavkovic2593]

Lol.

[@TalismanPHX]

A Seltos is a better vehicle, methinks

[@planestrainsdogsncars4336]

When an infotainment screen has 2 dials either side I cant stop seeing a 1950's old time mantle radio or early tv set ..UGLY.

[@chasingcars]

The function is good, though. Nice to be able to quickly adjust volume.

[@Z-add]

No you don't have adequate space in the back.

[@TheJirator]

First!:-)

[@aso6437]

Looks a great deal like a Chery Tiggo 2 .. just over priced

[@MichaelJeffrey]

Got this as a hire car... It's a slug! Oh man, horrible. Don't like it.

[@chasingcars]

Guessing you didn’t receive the turbo engine?

[@hellolau]

The looser’s car 🤣

[@djcoronel]

You guys do too many Kia/Hyundai/Genesis products. Diversify.

[@curiositynz]

What are you on about?!?! They’re reviewing new cars and it’s not his fault that Kia and Hyundai are updating their vehicles more than other brands..think before you type mate!

[@chasingcars]

David, it’s a function of the fact Hyundai, Kia and Genesis are in the middle of a huge project offensive. Here, we make in-house content and we also cover cars that launch in a given week. If Hyundai and Kia have a new model every fortnight - that’s relevant and we’ll cover it. We will continue to produce content on the wide mix of brands that we do, no doubt - just that others aren’t launching so much new product. I’ll flag now that there is more to come from these guys: Kona facelift, i30 N facelift, new Tucson, Santa Fe hybrid, Sorento PHEV and hybrid, Niro, GV70, G70 facelift... they have a very busy 2021! Hope you enjoy it all though, and I hope my answer sheds some light. -Tom