The Kia Stonic light five-door SUV arrived last year in a segment dominated by Mazda’s excellent CX-3 but has quickly become the No. 2 choice in light SUV’s sales up 36 per cent year to date . The Stonic a high riding version of Kia’s Rio hatch but with its own individual style and interior. Front wheel drive only it kicks off at $24,690 drive-away in manual for the base S model, $26,690 drive-away for the mid-spec manual Sport, both powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine, six-speed automatic adding $1,000 to both.

The flagship Stonic GT-line gets a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo engine mated to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic at $32,190 drive-away. Equipment levels very high across the range. The Stonic’s styling more European than Korean, and its appeal improves depending on colour, my test car in grey tending to soften its overall appeal.

I tested the top-line 1.0-litre three-cylinder GT-Line, with 33 per cent more torque to the two naturally aspirated four-cylinder variants and it proved a nice driver, getting into the higher gears quickly. I also drove the 1.4-litre mid-spec Stonic Sport six speed automatic, of the two I prefer to three-cylinder turbo GT-Line with seven speed auto – a better allrounder.

Yes, it’s another $4,000 but its money is really well spent.

I’m David Berthon.

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