2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line v Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport LE comparison
The Mazda CX-3 has enjoyed great success as one of the first light SUVs, but newcomers like the Kia Stonic continuously chip away at the heels of the establishment. Which one reigns supreme in 2021? Tom Fraser puts both to task.
Overview
The Mazda CX-3 was a segment-defining car that first brought compact SUVs to the fore in Australia. It packed that all-alluring higher driving position with a diminutive footprint that proved so popular with Australian new car buyers. But, this revelation occurred back in 2015 and the CX-3 has changed relatively little since.
It's paved the way for an entire segment of light SUVs, some of which have stolen the CX-3's thunder. Cue the 2021 arrival of the Kia Stonic.
Like the CX-3, it's a light SUV based on a light hatch platform and stacks a gamut of standard equipment with a spacious SUV-bodied interior. The GT-Line guise is the top-specification variant of the Kia Stonic, while the Maxx Sport LE is a mid-to-high-tier grade of the CX-3 line-up. Both cost an identical $30,490 drive-away, which is reason enough for a head-to-head comparison in our books.
Introduction
Kia Stonic GT-Line
On face value, it might look as though Kia has entered the light-SUV class a little late to the party and a bit half-baked. The city-sized Stonic was introduced to the world in 2017, but its Australian launch only occurred at the start of this year.
Since its international launch, several light SUVs such as the Ford Puma, Toyota Yaris Cross, and Hyundai Venue have joined the Australian market stocking modern styling, swathes of up-to-date tech, and a strong set of baseline features. Even the older segment pillars including the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V have been mildly updated to keep pace with their newer contemporaries.
The Kia Stonic is designed to slot in as the entry-level crossover from the Korean brand, bolstering Kia’s SUV portfolio Down Under. It’s smaller and more affordable than Kia’s Seltos, the Sportage, and the Sorento, though with the four of them Kia covers a diverse range of needs for Australian buyers. It was the missing piece of Kia’s Australian line-up, shall we say.
The Stonic GT-Line comes with standard equipment including a sunroof, automatic single-zone climate control, LED daytime-running lights and LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, sporty styling and the option of a funky two-tone colour scheme (though this option deletes the sunroof).
So, has Kia done itself a disservice by launching late with an older product? We’ve picked up a top-spec $30,490 drive-away 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line automatic to see how it compares to its more established competition.
Key details | 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line | 2021 Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport LE |
Price (drive-away) | $30,490 | $30,490 |
Colour of test car | Mighty Yellow ($0) | Machine Grey ($495) |
Options | N/A | N/A |
Price as tested | $30,490 | $30,985 |
Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport LE
Mazda first introduced its CX-3 in 2015, joining the then-fledgling small SUV segment. Since then the city-sized SUV category has grown and split into small and light SUVs, with Mazda leading the light SUV class it now falls into.
With the market skewing ever towards SUVs over the last decade, it was a stroke of genius – it sold (and continues to sell) remarkably well, and became a high watermark for other manufacturers to base their product upon.
However, seven years without a major overhaul has taken its toll on the CX-3. Newcomers such as the Toyota Yaris Cross, Volkswagen T-Cross, and Kia Stonic have all arrived on scene sporting fresh looks, new tech and enhanced kit.
In such a strong-selling segment, burgeoning with new cars every month, is the Mazda CX-3 getting left behind in 2021?
The 2021 Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport LE on test is one of the cheaper variants in the range, though it adds some key visual enhancements over the Maxx Sport. Notably, the LE gets swanky cream leatherette seats with coffee-coloured synthetic suede inserts, black side mirror caps and unique 16-inch alloy wheels.
It's priced from $30,490 drive-away (or listed at $27,640 before on-road costs) with a petrol engine and six-speed automatic automatic. The entire range comes standard with safety kit including autonomous emergency braking, six airbags and a 7.0-inch touchscreen, though this Maxx Sport LE also gets blind-spot monitoring and satellite navigation.
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Like many cars in the segment, Mazda bases the CX-3 on passenger car underpinnings. The CX-3 shares underpinnings with the Mazda 2, but can be had in front- or all-wheel drive.
The CX-3 is the smallest SUV Mazda offers and pricing kicks off just below $23,000 for the base CX-3 Neo manual. Larger models in the Mazda SUV range include the CX-30, CX-5, CX-8 and CX-9.
Inside
Kia Stonic GT-Line
Step inside the cabin of the Kia Stonic GT-Line and you’ll immediately question whether this is, in fact, the range-topping model. While it’s not an offensive place by any means, the interior of the Stonic does present as an old and a bit of a drab place to spend time.
There are swathes of black plastic on the door cards where some rivals would use softer materials, and while Kia has done its best to spruce up the looks with carbon-effect trim accenting, it does look and feel a generation behind. That said, build quality does feel up to par.
However, as a space to actually use, the Stonic’s interior contains a comfortable amount of room to get setup in. There’s good, simple adjustability of things such as the seats, steering wheel and mirrors, to find a cosy driving position.
The seats don’t cosset you, having less side support and more of a flat seat squab, though they do the job just fine. All Kia Stonics come fitted with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear-view camera with parking sensors, keyless entry, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and dusk-sensing auto headlights.
The GT-Line scores a feature set including a tilt-and-slide sunroof (but only on cars without two-tone paint), ‘premium’ black cloth upholstery with white piping, single-zone climate control, alloy sports pedals, and a GT-Line branded sports steering wheel. These additions make the interior a comfortable place to spend time – especially the extra light and ambience afforded by the sunroof. The alloy pedals are a cool thing to see at the affordable end of Kia’s range too.
There is one USB-A port in the front row for charging devices and operating smartphone mirroring, and one 12-volt power outlet. As is normal for the light-SUV segment, the back seat space is a no-frills affair - there is just one map pocket, no air vents, and minimal storage pockets. Legroom is decent, so is footroom and headroom. It’s a fine place to spend decent stints of time as an adult passenger.
Kia says boot space is 352L. The cavity has a higher load lip, which can make loading in larger items a task. Underneath the boot floor mat hides a space-saver spare wheel.
Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport LE
A hallmark of the Maxx Sport LE grade is the leatherette and synthetic suede upholstery. While the cream and tan combination won’t be to everyone’s liking, and the synthetic leather material isn’t the best-feeling product out there, the upholstery combines to present an interior that looks more upmarket than the car’s price would suggest.
That said, the cabin design itself is looking a little tired in 2021. The small infotainment screen protruding from the dash looks out of place, the basic part-LCD instrument cluster looks past its use-by date, and there is no digital speed readout, which is a miss in this day and age.
The front row is a nice place to sit for the most part with a comfortable driving position aiding outward visibility. Leg room is a bit tight due to the wider centre console, but with that there’s a good amount of storage between the two seats, so that trade-off is welcomed.
The seats are comfortable and plush, though they lack support in the upper shoulder region, which annoys through corners.
Things get worse in the back row, as you’re forced to straddle the front seats with your legs due to the lack of rear leg room. It’s easily one of the worst cars in its segment for rear seat space and comfort – something to keep in mind if you regularly have friends and family through the car.
There’s not a lot of space to store items either, just a sole map pocket and a slot in the door card to cater to a singular water bottle.
The small amount of storage space is mirrored in the boot, which offers a paltry 264L (Mazda claims), whereas some competitors contain over 400L of space. Under the boot floor is a space-saver spare wheel.
The seats do split-fold to afford 1174L overall, and the CX-3 comes with an easy-load false floor, but if you’re wanting to cart around more than a few shopping bags, you’re in for a frustrating time.
Materials around the cabin are largely good quality, save for the dash top and door cards that are a hard plastic – not comfortable to rest upon.
The leather-bound steering wheel feels great and controls a number of radio and gauge functions.
2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line | 2021 Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport LE | |
Seats | Five | Five |
Boot volume | 352L | 264L |
Length | 4140mm | 4275mm |
Width | 1760mm | 1765mm |
Height | 1520mm | 1535mm |
Wheelbase | 2580mm | 2570mm |
Infotainment and Connectivity
Kia Stonic GT-Line
Every variant of the Kia Stonic range gets an 8.0-inch infotainment system that extends protruding from the dash. In the Stonic GT-Line the system features a form of Kia’s latest software, which includes things like multiple driver profiles, native satellite navigation, Sounds of Nature ambient cabin treatment, and provision for multiple Bluetooth connections.
For those who prefer to use the familiar Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, smartphone mirroring can be used by connecting a compatible phone via USB. There is a small multifunction display within the instrument cluster to view key vehicle settings and information, and the screen can show a digital speed readout. Annoyingly, though, the screen will not show your cruise-control speed setting.
The main infotainment screen is an easy one to use. There are shortcuts along the bottom of the screen for key functions that make navigating between screens quick. We’ve rarely had bad experiences with Kia’s infotainment system, which tends to work reliably without malfunctioning or displaying improperly.
Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport LE
All Mazda CX-3s come with a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen. It runs Mazda's older-generation MZD Connect software, though it’s still one of the easiest systems to become accustomed to thanks to both touch input and a rotary controller.
The system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, though you must connect your phone with a cable. Wireless charging is beginning to be offered in some rivals as standard, but the Mazda does not include that feature.
For its age, the CX-3 has kept pace well with the segment, though the various infotainment functions and screens are starting to look a generation old.
Safety and Technology
Kia Stonic GT-Line
The Kia Stonic scored five stars in its 2017 Australian New Car Assessment Program test. Interestingly, this test was completed on the Kia Rio hatchback and extrapolated to include the Kia Stonic, which shares much of its structure and safety equipment with the entry-level hatch.
The Stonic’s level of safety equipment may not score a full five-star rating if tested to stricter 2021 protocols.
All models come standard with a suite of safety tech including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, driver-attention alert, leading vehicle departure alert, hill-start assist, speed-sensing auto door locks, two ISOFIX mounts, and front, side, and curtain airbags.
In addition to the active safety equipment mentioned above, the Kia Stonic GT-Line also stocks a lane-following cruise control setting, stop/start fuel-saving technique, switchable drive modes, and a manual override for gear selection – though there are no paddle shifters fitted.
The lane-follow freeway assistant mode is a curious one, as it's usually paired with adaptive cruise control, though that isn’t offered on the Stonic. It does a reliable job at keeping you within your lane while on the freeway without having to touch the steering wheel, though it would be a better system if it added radar-based adaptive cruise control to the mix.
The Stonic comes with three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. Annoyingly, every time you restart the car, it reverts to Eco mode, which is too dull for everyday driving.
Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport LE
Mazda fits both passive and active safety systems to the CX-3 Maxx Sport LE including six airbags, blind-spot monitoring, reversing camera, rear cross-traffic alert, auto headlights, and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
It last scored a full five stars from ANCAP in 2015. Testing has become even more stringent by today’s standards, and the CX-3 would may not score the same five-star rating if tested today. That said, it’s unlikely to be re-tested until a new generation comes along. As part of a recently announced 2022 update, rear seatbelt reminders are added, but little else.
There are few driver technologies on offer at this pricepoint, especially in an older model like the Mazda CX-3. Aside from the aforementioned active safety features, the Mazda equips start/stop fuel-saving technology, a sports mode for the six-speed gearbox, and a regular non-adaptive cruise-control system.
Value for Money
Kia Stonic GT-Line
As with all new Kias, the Stonic comes standard with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and capped-price servicing. Visits to the service centre occur at 12-month or 10,000km intervals, whichever is sooner, with the first five visits set to cost $2128.
Kia quotes a 5.4L/100km fuel consumption for the Stonic GT-Line. While we couldn’t quite hit that lowly figure, our tester came away having recorded a still respectable 6.0L/100km consumption, which is very good for a non-hybrid petrol powertrain.
The car is tuned to run on 91-octane fuel and has a 45L fuel tank. So, in addition to its outstanding cost-of-ownership attributes, it’ll be frugal on the fuel too.
Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport LE
In terms of ownership, the Mazda CX-3 must be serviced every 10,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first. The first five visits will cost $1775 according to Mazda’s fixed-price servicing schedule.
All Mazdas are sold with a complimentary five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which includes five years of premium roadside assistance.
Mazda has specified that the CX-3 can run on 91-octane fuel. It also claims that the CX-3 uses 6.3L/100km fuel, though we found our on-test recordings to be higher – 7.4L/100km.
On more of a rural test, we’d expect that figure to come down somewhat, though with a (relatively) large engine there’s no hiding the fact that the CX-3 uses more fuel than some of its smaller-capacity adversaries.
At a glance | 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line | 2021 Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport LE |
Warranty | Seven years / unlimited km | Five years / unlimited km |
Service intervals | 12 months / 10,000km | 12 months / 10,000km |
Servicing costs | $2128 (Five years) | $1775 (Five years) |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 5.4L/100km | 6.3L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 6.0L/100km | 7.4L/100km |
Fuel type | 91 RON | 91 RON |
Fuel tank size | 45L | 48L |
Driving
Kia Stonic GT-Line
GT-Line specification in the Kia Stonic gives access to a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that outputs 74kW and 172Nm to the front wheels. While it has the same power figure as the lower-spec engines in the range, the turbocharger provides a boost in torque that is handy around town.
It’s a refined unit that stays quiet most of the way through the rev range, though that characteristic three-cylinder thrum is there. Some road roar can be heard echoing about the cabin, especially on coarse-chip bitumen.
Its 74kW/172Nm outputs sound ordinary on paper and feel as such in practice. That said, for a compact 1227kg in a city-oriented use case, the Stonic’s powertrain is entirely adequate.
The engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). While it won’t exhibit the same gold-standard refinement as a torque convertor transmission, the Kia’s DCT is pretty intelligent and switches gears without much of a fuss. There is some lurchy hesitation when shifting between drive and reverse that is exacerbated on an incline, but the set-up is easily one of the better offerings in the small-SUV segment.
At only just over 4m long (4140mm to be exact), the Stonic is right-sized to drive around town. It’s nimble, manoeuvrable, and the vision out of the wagon-shaped glasshouse is great.
The Australian-tweaked suspension tune is comfortable for suburban duty, and more than capable of dulling sharp road joins and bigger potholes.
The Stonic is even competent when headed further afield. It remains composed and flat through tight bends, and the front end is agile and easy to handle. You wouldn’t go so far as to call it an engaging experience, but it can be a sweet and entertaining thing to drive through a small set of twisty corners.
Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport LE
A 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine powers the Mazda CX-3 range outputting 110kW and 195Nm to the front wheels. Even though it’s one of the oldest in its segment, the CX-3’s naturally aspirated powertrain remains one of the most powerful.
There is more than enough power to conquer the daily commute and to travel about town, but the CX-3 will even cater to the open road too. While it may be outdated and inefficient, the naturally aspirated engine and torque converter gearbox is a great pairing in this application. It responds quickly to throttle inputs, and has enough torque to pull away from a set of lights confidently.
On the downside, it’s a particularly noisy engine – especially on cold start. Despite Mazda’s best efforts to curb noise levels during a model-year update a few years ago, engine sounds still make their way into the cabin, which can get tiresome.
Around bends, the CX-3 controls its 1215kg (tare) weight more like a hatchback than an SUV, which makes for a good showing on sweeping rural roads. However, the ride lacks polish in town, where sharp-edged bumps are reverberated around the cabin. It’s by no means bad enough to become a problem, but when you’re shopping in such a populated segment, hairs must be split.
Its progressive, natural steering feel is forgiving on the open road, but the set-up lacks the darty directness that some shoppers look for in the small-SUV market.
Key details | 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line | 2021 Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport LE |
Engine | 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol | 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol |
Power | 74kW @ 6000rpm | 110kW @ 6000rpm |
Torque | 172Nm @ 1500-4000rpm | 195Nm @ 2800rpm |
Drive type | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
Transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic | Six-speed torque converter automatic |
Power to weight ratio | 60.3kW/t | 90.5kW/t |
Weight | 1227kg | 1215kg |
Turning circle | 10.2m | 10.6m |
Conclusion
Despite its age, the Mazda CX-3 has managed to push through into 2021 with a good set of base features and functionality. It’s also equipped with one of the better engines in the class, if a little loud and unrefined.
While it lacks some of the new technology and features that have become commonplace in 2021, its $30,490 drive-away asking price is easy to stomach – especially with the new stylish LE upgrades such as the leatherette upholstery. It set a high benchmark five years ago as a strong small-car package, though there are an increasing number of rivals encroaching on its achievements today.
One such rival is the polished Kia Stonic GT-Line. It might’ve arrived late to the light-SUV party, but the Kia Stonic comes packing a keg-full of attributes, such as its entertaining dynamics and strong value.
It does feel a bit older than it really should, which will turn away some shoppers looking for the ultimate in features and tech.
But the level of baseline equipment and comfort on offer is hard to argue with. And considering it’s one of the most affordable top-spec variants in its segment (not to mention the ownership value), it’s surely worth a look-in if you’re considering buying in the light-SUV segment. This is why the Stonic takes out the win in this light-SUV comparison.