Bay Harbour: June 09, 2021

2013 Volkswagen
Tiguan TSi
h tp: /kaywa.me/8aVDQ
Download the Kaywa Qr Code reader (A p Store &Android market) and scan your code!
my Kaywa Qr-Code
w.valuecarswarehouse.co.nz
CELLULAR
See page 5 for more info!
h tp: /kaywa.me/8aVDQ
Download the Kaywa QR Code Reader (a p Store &android Market) and scan your code!
REVERSE CAMERAS
My Kaywa QR-Code
w.valuecarswarehouse.co.nz
PARKING SENSORS
0800 212 777
Ce l 021 855 884
GPS/TRACKING
motor vehicle purchase
See our ad on page 2
22 Bay Harbour News Wednesday June 9 2021
Full steam ahead for Kia’s Stonic
MOST NEW car distributors
these days will tell you supply
is awkward due to the ongoing
effects of Covid-19 and shipping
delays.
Production of semi-conductors
and other electronic componentry
is well below demand and
that has meant headaches for
the automobile industry. Due
to shortages of these products,
manufacturers simply can’t build
enough cars, and sales are also
on the rise which compounds the
situation.
One company that is weathering
the storm relatively well is
Kia, and Kia in New Zealand is
maintaining good market position.
A lot of that has to do with
the introduction of the Stonic, a
small sport utility vehicle that has
often topped sales in that part of
the market. I guess that is helped
a little by the withdrawal of the
Sportage due to supply issues, a
wait for the Sportage will mean
that when the new generation
model lands here later in the year,
forward orders will buy you into
that variant.
That aside, the Stonic joins a
multitude of small SUVs that
have landed recently including
Ford’s Puma, Toyota’s Yaris Cross
and a revamped Suzuki Ignis, to
name just some.
The Stonic lands here in five
variants with two engine options.
The range starts at $22,990 for the
base model LX with a 1.4-litre,
four-cylinder engine, an extra $5k
will buy you into a mid-range EX
while the Limited specification
model, as tested, lands at $29,990.
In contrast, there’s the option of
a three-cylinder turbocharged
1-litre GT Line unit that lists
at $31,990, and a GT Line+ at
$33,990.
If these driveline options look
familiar, yes, they are pretty much
as what is specified for the Rio
range. The Stonic is based on the
Rio platform, yet it has higher
ground clearance and it is taller.
That’s why it slots into the SUV
category, it also has a chubby,
muscular, wagon-type body style.
Bear in mind though, the Stonic
is just front-wheel-drive, it’s not
a vehicle designed for cross-country
travel but it does serve its
design concept well, it is an urban
commuter and exudes capable
highway travel. It will also satisfy
in an everyday role, access is easy,
and for someone with old bones
like mine, that is important, along
with a comfortable ride.
Coming from the modern
Korean factories, the Stonic
is chock-full of specification
although there is one minor
omission in the Limited model
that would have me looking at the
mid-spec LX for purchase. The
Limited has leather seat coverings
but there are no seat heaters.
While I appreciate the cost has
EASY ACCESS: The Stonic’s elevated ride height makes it
an attractive purchase for those not so agile.
KIA STONIC LIMITED: Small sport utility vehicle based on Rio platform.
been kept down for desirability,
those seats aren’t inviting when
a cold Canterbury frost hits. The
LX has cloth trim.
Elsewhere, though, there is all
the kit to satisfy, satellite navigation,
radar cruise control and a
raft of safety kit that comes under
the guise of advanced driver
assistance systems. There are no
surprises there, but to say the
Stonic gets a heap of kit to keep
you out of trouble and to protect
you if the worst case scenario
evolves.
Under the bonnet, the 1.4-litre
engine and smooth-shifting sixspeed
automatic transmission are
all traditional, and that is a good
thing, I like a little bit of simplicity
in vehicles and the driveline
in the Stonic is set-up well for its
role.
Kia claims power outputs of
74kW (6000rpm) and 133Nm
(4000rpm), even though they are
generated tall in the rev band the
engine doesn’t work hard. The
Stonic weighs in at just under
1.2-tonne, so there isn’t a lot of
demand on the engine. Power is
willing across the rev band and
it is generated smoothly without
much fuss. For the record, the
Stonic in this form will accelerate
to 100km/h in 11sec and make
120km/h from 80km/h in 7sec.
On the subject of figures,
the four-cylinder Stonic also
fares well in the fuel usage area.
• Price – Kia Stonic Limited,
$29,990
• Dimensions – Length,
4140mm; width, 1760mm;
height, 1520mm
• Configuration – Fourcylinder,
front-wheeldrive,
1368cc, 74kW,
133Nm, six-speed
automatic
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 11sec
• Fuel usage – 6.7l/100km
Kia also claims a 6.7-litre per
100km/h combined cycle average.
On my long highway run through
Mid-Canterbury the instantaneous
readout was constantly listing
at around 4.4l/100km (engine
speed 2400rpm at 100km/h),
and when I took the evaluation
car back to the dealership a
7.2l/100km average was showing
on the readout.
On the open road the Stonic
travels quietly with little wind
noise and thorough sound-proofing
underneath.There is a solid
feel of communication through
the steering, the high grade
205/55 x 17in Continental tyres
send all the right messages to the
driver and provide direct steering
accuracy.
Steering input is quick and
reactive, while the entire body
structure feels balanced and controlled
through the suspension.
Incidentally, the latter is a
front-strut/rear-torsion beam
design. Even though the rear
wheels are tied together through
the beam there is just the right
amount of movement on each
side to deal with uneven surfaces.
The spring and damper rates
are biased towards firm, which
helps contain gravitational
movement, but they are not so
hard that occupant comfort is
jeopardised, especially in the rear
where the seats are supportive
and cocooning.
Even though the Stonic is
compact, there is satisfactory leg
and head room all through the
model. There are three seat belts
in the rear and for three adults
there wouldn’t be too much of a
squeeze.
As much as I enjoyed the
evaluation, I’d like to have a drive
in the three-potter, I recall that
engine from the Rio and I can
report it is absolutely delightful.
I’m always happy to report
when a friend buys a new car.
When the Stonic was destined for
our market an acquaintance put
her name down early for one. She
has since received that car and is
delighted with the purchase.
With that type of feedback it’s
no surprise why Stonic sales are
elevated, it’s my hope that supply
is maintained so that others like
my friend can enjoy an affordable
and desirable SUV experience.
has motoring covered!
Incorporating
ISSUE 667 | FrIday 20 novEmbEr 2020
sherborne st, edgeware
iggest range of vehicles
e location!
2011 Jaguar
XF Premium
$18,999
See inside for this week's
4WD feature!
use Ave | P: (03) 366 7768 | www.valuecarswarehouse.co.nz
See page 4 for more info!
free
best motorbuys
Incorporating
ISSUE 668 | FrIday 27 NovEmbEr 2020
275 Colombo street, Christchurch
For more see their advert on pages 6 & 7
Ce l 021 855 884
Incorporating
ISSUE 669 | FrIday 4 dEcEmbEr 2020
See inside for this week's
Classic Car feature!
PH 03 web
www.drivesouth.co.nz
One Owner!
40 Years Finance
Experience
Cannot be Beaten!
• Talk to us about finance for your next
motor vehicle purchase
Specialising in Finance for Private Purchases
Very quick approvals, sensational interest rates
• From no deposit (terms & conditions may apply)
Hiace spares
Cnr Main South Rd and Epsom Rd, Christchurch
Ph: 03 348 4129 | avoncityford.com
2015 IsuZu D-mAX
4WD Ls D/CAb
NZ new, 3.0 intercooled turbo/dsl,
auto, rare flatdeck with ladder/pipe
racks, reverse cam, service history.
$34,995 $192pw
For more see their advert on page 31
free
best motorbuys
www.drivesouth.co.nz
See inside for this week's
marine feature!
free
best motorbuys
The South Island’s leading motoring resource,
filled with news, reviews and dealer listings.
From family cars to work trucks, and supercars
to SUVs. No matter what you're looking for,
you can find it all with Drivesouth.
Magazine available for FREE every Friday
at a convenient pick up point near you!
The biggest range of vehicles
in one location!
Now Available @ NZ Van Spares
www.drivesouth.co.nz
2.4 auto, alloys, ABS, twin airbags.
2005 toyota rav
$20,999
$9,990
40 Years Finance
2008 bmW 320i
2.0lt Petrol, 5 Dr Station wagon,
Climate Control, ABS Braking,
.nz
CAR AUDIO
AUDIO VISUAL
CAR SECURITY
32 Moorhouse Ave | P: (03) 366 7768 | www.valuecarswarehouse.co.nz
MOBILE INSTALLATION SERVICE
RADAR DETECTORS
DASH CAMERAS
Cannot be Beaten!
$10,974 NoW $7,974 + orC
Experience
Automatic. $34.63pw.
AERIALS
• Talk to us about finance for your next
Specialising in Finance for Private Purch
• Very quick approvals, sensat
• From no deposit (t