Kia Stonic GT-Line 2024 review

In this review I'll tell you why I'd buy the Kia Stonic instead of a MG ZST, Chery Omoda 5 and Haval Jolion.
It's better at more things. That's basically it!
It mightn't feel as high-tech inside, and it might not has as much wow factor to the cabin as other small SUVs in the $30K range, but it is a compelling option because it's from a more established brand, has a more enjoyable driving nature to it, and is simple and smart in its design.
There are some caveats of course -- you'll have to watch the full review to find out what they are.
But as it stands, the single-spec 2024 Kia Stonic (which just consists of the 1.0-litre turbo GT-Line grade for now as the dreary 1.4L has been axed globally) stacks up well. Or does it? You tell me in the comments.
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00:00 2024 Kia Stonic
00:22 Is it the right price?
01:54 What are the best alternatives?
03:38 Is it the right size?
05:18 Interior
09:16 Under the bonnet
09:46 Driving
15:14 Efficiency
15:43 Is it safe?
16:37 Ownership
17:21 Verdict
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ALTERNATIVES YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT::
GWM Haval Jolion: • Watch this car review ...
Chery Omoda 5: • Chery Omoda 5 review -...
MG ZST: • This SUV is HUGELY POP...
Nissan Juke: • 2024 Nissan Juke review
Skoda Kamiq: • $10K more expensive no...
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#kia #stonic #review

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

Mine arrives on Friday the 21st. I drove a Sportage seven years without any problems. Tires and battery changed. At 64000 km an ABS sensor changed -warranty. My experience with KIA warranted staying with the brand.

[@therightcar]

Great to hear. I’m sure they’ll be happy to have you back!

[@Australiano87]

Just found your channel by accident, and I can say I have already watched few reviews non stop and your contents is GREAT! Mate please keep it up you’re a legend ⭐️👏

[@therightcar]

Thank you mate! Appreciate that. 😎

[@rossappleton9758]

You nearly had me sold, until the road noise I heard in the background, the gear box n the servicing costs. Good review Matt. 👍🍻

[@Martin-yv3cz]

I have this car and it isn't noisy at all ? Well I don't think so anyway

[@fialex9104]

I've had a Stonic GT for over a year and i think he's overplaying the road noise. I haven't noticed it being "loud". and the ervicing starts at under $300 in year one. I love my GT! Just a joy to drive. as for the slow starts, just turn off the Stop Start in traffic, and anticipate the light changes. No prolem if you're paying atention...!

[@paulmarsh1144]

@@fialex9104thanks for the advice

[@zaamuro8408]

A Cerato is a better buy for most buyers but they will buy something like this instead.

[@Sam-ch3fk]

10:36 love your commitment to the air quotes even when driving. Great review 👍

[@therightcar]

Thank you! 👍 Glad you enjoyed it.

[@anasmemon22]

Where i live, we have got highest variant i.e. Ex Plus for around USD 22,500 including tax and everything. But it comes with 1.4L NA engine, Auyomatic Gear Box (Torque Converter) and wireless Android Auto. We do not have lane assist, forward collision breaking or auto break. It costs around $60 every 5000 kms.

[@gregturner_awod]

The design has certainly stood the test of time and it remains an attractive design. It seems practical with decent seats and back seat space. The dual clutch seems adequate, but not great. A decent urban shopping/kids car. For me/us it’d possibly be an adequate second car for local shopping, etc, but we have a Skoda that fills that role. Kia makes good cars and this appears to be one of them. Road noise would be a deterrent for me, but the other benefits of this car might outweigh the deficits. Service costs are too high, and yes, it’d likely break the decision for me. I’d buy them the Skoda Kamiq I think, if I were in the market of course. A great review with excellent and balanced remarks on the, car as you always provide in every review. Thanks.

[@Martin-yv3cz]

I've actually got the Kia Stonic and I think it is a really good car

[@therightcar]

It is! You know they’re adding the turbo across the lineup?

[@Martin-yv3cz]

@@therightcar 2023 my motor

[@Martin-yv3cz]

Yes it is the turbo I have

[@rawpowerinmotion]

Happy with my brand new Mazda CX-3 because I wasn't willing to wait for delivery on the stonic

[@buncha5651]

You dodged a bullet by buying the Mazda, a real auto transmission for a start.😊😊

[@c.s2001]

Turbo lag is a no sell for the wife where she normally drives in the suburbs. Thanks for the review.

[@therightcar]

No worries!

[@craigthacker]

I suspect the real world fuel economy you got had more to do with you changing it from eco everytime you got in than being an exaggerated claim. I was going to buy a Cerato, but after hiring one, it was so low that I couldn't see more than the car in front most of the time and it felt a little unsafe because of that. The raised ride height is good, though I would have preferred the softer suspension tune that the 1.4L had. I hadn't considered the Volkswagen, I'll check that out. As far as expensive servicing goes to maintain the 7 year warranty. Those warranties only cover things that never break, I would just get it serviced at my regular mechanic. Thanks for the review, the in the Australian market. Keep up the good work Matt.

[@user-pd1ww3nk1g]

The stop start doesn't bother me at all, not everyone launches their car at every intersection, I like the slow incline of power at take offs.

[@mindfreeze0838]

One car you left off of this, the base automatic version of the Suzuki Vitara. Its got a larger more usable boot than this(even though its slighlty smaller), its more practical inside(the front door bins can take a 2l bottle) and the engine and transmission arent bad, its not the turbo but it can get the job done and its alot more livable and more exciting to drive than this. Plus you get keyless entry and push button start. Most importantly its in the same price range as this drive away.

[@letsseeif]

I like cargo nets. IMO they should be mandated on all cars.

[@scoz116]

I couldn’t decide between Kia stonic, Hyundai venue and VW T-Cross. I’m just myself and mainly city driving but do travel a bit and families visiting from overseas so wanting a bigger boot size. I like T-Cross but Venue seemed to offer the best value. Any suggestions?

[@therightcar]

Thanks for the question - I prefer the T-Cross in terms of the way it drives, and the powertrain is much more lively. It is a bit more expensive but it feels it. However, have you see the Skoda Kamiq? The Runout model is $32,990 drive away with a 7 year warranty and a 400L boot. Roughly the same size as the others, too.

[@scoz116]

No I haven’t. Will check it out. What do you think of the resell value a few years down the track? A used car dealer told me VW don’t sell and depreciate quickly coz the maintenance can get quite pricey once the warranty period is gone.

[@kaeguri9042]

Toyota Raize review please =)

[@YSA920]

Had one of these 1.0l turbo Stonic overseas for about 10 days overseas. Same 7sp DCT. With Car Play used WAZE to navigate, my Spotify. Love that the cruise control is old style not ACC. My current VW is a 1.2l with very similar Kw and torque. Stonics get along very well and engine does not thrum too much. Had a TCross loan car when my VW was being serviced and honestly no interest, hated the VW.

[@therightcar]

Fair enough! Thanks for sharing

[@jesus_built_my_hotrod]

Im currently driving a rental skoda kamiq style and im really surpirised at how much im liking it. The laggy dsg on takeoff is a bit of a downer though.

[@therightcar]

Cool! Good little car.

[@user-pf5md1ug9d]

use sport mode and turn off (on/off) feature, car starts in D1 (economy) on screen, pull back the Auto select when in drive and let go, your in S1,2,3 etc on screen, runs higher revs and change points (sport)

[@stendecstretcher5678]

The Mitsubishi ASX would be a better buy. The engine is better, the warranty is better. Longevity is better too.

[@therightcar]

Fair point. If you’re really on a budget and you’re okay with some, er, compromises, then it would be!

[@NicholasCannell]

Just ordered a gt line on disability motability in uk I found it comfortable was it a good choice mine is like just under top spec costing me 75.75 per week

[@Snow0147]

how long did it take for you to get the car from there or how long did they say?

[@sharonmccall3880]

I’ve just visited Kia today as I’m swapping my current Motability car (it’s too low). I love the look of the stonic and it seems to have everything my current car has plus the good height I’m looking for. Pleased you’ve got a car you like Nicholas, I’m hopefully ordering mine on Saturday.

[@bchen9339]

Shame they discontinued the lower specs, I have the base S manual and it’s great . A manual gets the most out of the 1.4 it’s zippy and responsive and the wireless CarPlay the best . Again shame the lower specs are no longer available

[@therightcar]

They aren’t discontinued altogether mate. The base versions will relaunch with the same 1.0L turbo as the GT-Line soon.

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

this is not a SUV, it is just a Rio with some cosmetic changes

[@Grudlin74]

What about a Skoda Kamiq? I think these are underrated

[@therightcar]

They are great cars. A little pricey, but like I mentioned, there’s a Run-Out model at $33k which is excellent.

[@ronch550]

If i were a bachelor who only goes around the city this would be a good, practical and economical car except for the Kia dealership servicing, but you can always have it serviced elsewhere.

[@therightcar]

You reckon you’d get much, er, attention driving this as a bachelor?

[@ronch550]

@@therightcar depends if you want attention. Not all bachelors are desperate to get a partner.

[@ashc3765]

The Stonic is nice but how could you leave the Kia dealer and not buy the Cerato hatch instead?

[@therightcar]

A solid point. If you don’t want a lower, longer car, then the Stonic is smarter.

[@JF-di1nr]

Ford Australia is making terrible business decisions. Axing the puma is another example of their inability to provide sufficient products in their portfolio.

[@therightcar]

Yep, they have made some absolute shockers in recent years.

[@slcsystems]

Just a note for all vw products crap reliability, the Kia is a great car and excellent jd power ratings.

[@davidtaylor3]

Nah I would choose the MG ZST over this any day. My parents just ordered a top spec ZST Essence for $32,490 drive away and I couldn’t believe how good it was for the price. The little 1.3L turbo engine and conventional 6 speed auto are responsive off the line with none of the lag you get in the Kia. The huge panoramic sunroof with tilt and slide functionality is actually amazing, and it has decent tech like a 360 surround view camera and digital dash. It also has heated front seats and a good size boot with adjustable floor height. MG didn’t even skimp on the tyres with good quality Michelin rubber that offers good ride comfort and low road noise. It also has a 7 year warranty (plus an extra 3 year dealer warranty if serviced through them), with more affordable servicing costs than the Kia. I’m not sure why you’d choose the Kia over the MG, but my parents are very happy with their choice!

[@therightcar]

Glad your folks are happy with their car. It is a pretty highly specced affordable SUV - which is why it’s very popular!

[@Mr360mafiya]

Should I sell my Kia rio gt for that? please tell me lol

[@Sam-ch3fk]

I heard a couple of separate accounts (on KZbin) that the brake pads and disks need replacing after only around 20,000 kms on the MG ZST. Hopefully not the case, or already been rectified for your parents sake.

[@marksweet8740]

Not a bad looking little car its a shame that with a lot of these new cars are hampered by their mechanics turbos requiring premium fuel higher service costs etc. dodgy Duel clutch transmissions eg Ford & VW. you wold think by now that car makers would be able to build something that shifts gears seamlessley and be reliable at the same time istead of using a gearbox that does not know wheather it is a auto or a manual. I am no mechanic but I drive a lot of different new cars for my work some are modern and comfy some are mechanically flawed. I do think this little car could do with a simple tried and tested automatic transmission or a six speed manual.

[@therightcar]

Yeah, a standard auto would be better. But dual-clutches offer efficiency benefits.

[@mindfreeze0838]

​@@therightcarVitara has a standard 6 speed torque converter😊

[@01tabuu]

Mitsubishi asx?

[@therightcar]

A decent but thoroughly boring alternative. 😂

[@01tabuu]

@@therightcar imo, simplicity is the attraction.

[@mindfreeze0838]

​@@therightcaryeah but its solid, plus the price should be dropping soon since its future is unsure. Will it be replaced by the ugly Renault clone or will it be replaced by the new Xforce?

[@buncha5651]

Too expensive for a little town car with DCT. I'd buy the MG ZST 1.3 turbo with a torque converter auto transmission. I won't buy any vehicle that the stop/start cant be turned off.

[@therightcar]

Thanks for your thoughts, as always.

[@OkaySickient]

4:21 spark 😮

[@therightcar]

I think it’s just a trick of the lighting / reflection.

[@MrMarkdabuet]

Kia is Korean brand not Chinese

[@therightcar]

Yeah…?

[@geevee9728]

hallelujah......A car reviewer that admits he turns off the BS "safety" systems instead of talking them up. 👍👍 Every car review should mention if they can be permanently disabled.

[@therightcar]

Thanks for that, many of them can’t be permanently disabled as legislation requires to default “on”.

[@Paul-fv4no]

Ridiculously expensive service costs. Do not buy a Kia until they stop ripping off the Australian public in their through life dollar grab.

[@therightcar]

Seven years of warranty and roadside doesn’t come free - it’s subsidised by the servicing costs.

[@zeesbeez]

Just get it serviced at a regular mechanic.