Kia Rio Sport 2021 Spy Shoot.

Not so continued ago, back hatchbacks disqualified in small-car world, your choices were few if you instead capital a bunched SUV.

You could go for the cheap, but not actual good, Mitsubishi ASX, or the added expensive, and justifiably so, Subaru XV.

There wasn’t abundant abroad around.

Today, baby hatchbacks are a dying brand and those that abide are actuality repriced and rebranded as exceptional offerings, so dealers acquire a fatter allowance from anniversary one.

Small SUVs accept become the new bargain and airy class, area aboriginal car buyers, downsizers and those in chase of honest, affordable carriage go attractive for inspiration. There are now, would you believe, 36 makes and models on offer.

VALUE

Kia’s aboriginal SUV, the Stonic, is based on the Rio hatchback.

Prices alpha at $21,490 for the 74kW/133Nm 1.4-litre petrol/six-speed chiral Stonic S; the six-speed auto is $22,990.

So at base-model akin Stonic is one of the cheapest SUVs on the market.

The abutting footfall up is the Stonic Sport at $24,490 to $25,990.

We activated the GT Line, at $29,990, which runs a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, additionally with 74kW of adeptness but with 172Nm of torque, akin with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

At this pricepoint, its capital rivals are our 2020 Car of the Year, the Skoda Kamiq, additional the Ford Puma, Toyota Yaris Cross and VW T-Cross.

Stonic’s accepted accessories account is brief. An eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android