New Kia Stonic 2021 detailed: Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Venue rival locks in Australian engine options

Kia Australia is still on track to launch its first light SUV soon, with the Stonic to arrive with very familiar engine options, looking to tempt buyers out of the Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Venue.

Speaking to CarsGuide this week, Kia Australia general manager of product planning Roland Rivero confirmed Australia will get the facelifted the version of the Stonic, which was revealed last month. That said, it might arrive a little later than originally advertised.

“We were targeting the tail end of this year, but that’s a bit fluid at the moment,” he said. “I’m sure you can understand, with the effects of COVID, there are some elements that are unpredictable at this stage.

“It could end up being the very beginning of 2021, depending on circumstances that may be beyond our control.”

As far as the Australian-market Stonic range is concerned, Mr Rivero said “expect a full line-up that will cater to a variety of budgets and tastes, and expect reasonable price plateaus between each variant”.

He added the recently launched facelifted Rio light hatchback will share its petrol engine options with the mechanically related Stonic locally, meaning it will be available with either a 1.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder or a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder.

As such, the Australian-market Stonic will go without Europe’s 48V mild-hybrid version of the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder unit, suggesting it will produce the same 74kW/172Nm as that of the aforementioned Rio.

Meanwhile, it’s a similar story for the 1.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, which is expected to develop a Rio-matching 74kW/133Nm in the local Stonic.

The Australia-market Stonic’s 1.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder unit will be fitted with a traditional six-speed manual (not Europe's new 'clutch-by-wire' set-up) or a six-speed torque-converter automatic in the entry-level S grade, while the mid-range Sport will come standard with the latter.

The flagship GT-Line grade will exclusively get the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, with no manual option to be offered here at this stage.

While the local Stonic’s pricing is still being discussed, Mr Rivero suggested it will be strong from the entry-level S grade.

“The price point that we’ll get targeting, we’re confident will be what will get us in the marketplace at a competitive position,” he said.

“I can’t comment if it will be sub-$20,000 (plus on-road costs like the manual entry-level Venue was upon its local launch), but it will be competitive up against the competition, I can guarantee that.”

For reference, the Venue is currently priced from $20,190 to $25,990, while the CX-3 checks in between $22,710 and $38,450.