A new light SUV arrived earlier this year in the Kia Stonic, best described as a high-riding version of Kia’s Rio hatchback but with its own individual style and a vastly better interior.

As I said earlier the styling distinctly European, the product of the South Korean company’s European design studio. A small five-door, five-seater front wheel drive SUV in three models – the entry S, mid-range Sport and top-spec GT-Line – prices running from $23,490 drive-away to $30,490 drive-away.

The lower grade models 1.4-litre four-cylinder in either 6-speed manual and auto while the GT-line gets a 1.3-litre three-cylinder turbo only in seven-speed dual-clutch auto – I tested the mid-spec Sport  and the GT-line , the latter with 33 per cent more torque the nicer of the two offerings with a very relaxed performance  despite lacking the power and torque of the 2.0-litre Mazda CX-3. Having said that it has far better luggage space to the Mazda.

Some nice features include what Kia call the ‘sounds of nature’ that projects nature themed images on the excellent centre screen and provides six soothing natural sounds. Safety and convenience features abound while a high point is the quality and clarity of the instrumentation, a high point on most of Kia’s range.  Suspension tune on high quality Continental tyres a high point so too a 7-years/unlimited kilometre warranty.

I’m David Berthon.

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