Which 2021 Kia Stonic variant should you buy? [Comparison Guide]

The Kia Stonic entered the Philippine market back in November 2020. As a whole, it promises to be a practical but stylish daily driver. As of 2023, the Philippine-spec Stonic has three trim levels. There's the LX MT, LX AT, Style Edition AT, and the EX AT. So how do these differ from one another? Which variant should one get? Let’s find out.

The Kia Stonic Style

Kia Stonic Variants: Exterior

For its exterior, the Kia Stonic LX MT, LX AT, and EX AT don’t offer many differences. All three variants come with halogen headlamps, halogen turn signal lamps, and LED taillights. They are also equipped with a roof rail, front fog lights, as well as a set of 16-inch alloy wheels. The EX does get turn signal indicators on its side mirrors, but that's it for those three.

The Kia Stonic from the side

The Stonic also has the same exterior dimensions across all three variants. They all have a length of 4,100 mm, a width of 1,735mm, and a height of 1,533 mm. They also have a wheelbase length of 2,570 mm, and a ground clearance of 185 mm.

Do note though that the Stonic LX and EX automatic transmission variants are heavier with a curb weight of 1,117 kg. The manual transmission version of the LX trim on the other hand is 1,074 kg, which is lighter than the other two variants by 43 kg.

In terms of looks, the sole trim that stands out is the Style Edition AT. Added exterior bits for this ride includes black-colored 16-inch alloy wheels, different-looking side and front skirts, a Stonic Style badge, and a sportier rear skirt. 

>>> Related: 2021 Kia Stonic gets more stylish with GT Line

Kia Stonic Variants: Interior amenities and safety

Moving over to interiors, all of the Stonic’s variants can comfortably seat five people with room to spare for 325 liters of cargo. The seats for all variants of the Korean-made crossover are covered in fabric, and all three are equipped with a tilting polyurethane steering wheel.

Regarding onboard amenities, however, the Stonic EX is the best equipped among the four. It comes with automatic air-conditioning, parking sensors, push to start button, a security alarm, an engine immobilizer, and traction control. In comparison, the Stonic LX MT, LX AT, and Style Edition variants lack the aforementioned features, and they only have a manual air-conditioner as well.

The interior of the Kia Stonic with the rear seats folded down

All four variants of the Kia Stonic come standard with an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, 12-volt accessory outlets, Bluetooth connectivity, and six speakers. All three also come with a reverse camera, two airbags, anti-lock braking with brake-force distribution, and ISOFIX.

Kia Stonic Variants: Engine and Performance

Under the hood, all trim levels of the PH-spec Kia Stonic are propelled by a 1.4-liter inline-4 gasoline engine. For the Stonic LX AT, EX AT, and Style Edition AT variants, the said engine can make 97 horsepower and 132 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

Meanwhile, the entry-level Stonic LX MT’s 1.4-liter makes slightly less power at 94 horsepower. It does however produce the same amount of torque at 132 Nm. For this variant, power is also sent to the front but through a five-speed manual transmission.

All Stonic variants come with a manual parking brake and a tilt-only steering wheel

All variants of the Stonic use a MacPherson strut-type front suspension, and a torsion beam-type rear suspension. On the other hand, the Stonic LX MT, Style Edition AT, and LX AT come with a solid disc front brake and a drum brake for the rear. In turn, the top-spec Stonic EX has disc brakes all around.

>>> Related: 2021 Hyundai Venue vs Kia Stonic Comparison: Spec Sheet Battle

Kia Stonic Variants: Pricing

Kia Stonic Variants: Conclusion

To sum it all up, the Stonic LX MT, LX AT, and Style Edition AT variants are equipped with the same interior amenities and safety features. The only significant difference between the two LX trims is their available transmission types and engine outputs. That said, the LX AT and Style Edition are mechanically identical to the top-spec Stonic EX AT. The latter however takes it up a notch when it comes to on-board safety equipment.

The Stonic EX's parking sensors will make it great for tight parking lots

As such, the Stonic EX AT is recommended for those drivers who will need a bit more handholding in their daily driving due to having stability control and parking sensors. It also provides more security since it comes standard with a security alarm and engine immobilizer.

The Stonic’s automatic climate control is also an improvement over the LX variant’s manual one. And lastly, the Stonic EX AT undoubtedly has better-stopping power due to having four disc brakes. We trust however that the Stonic LX and Style Edtion variants do have sufficient braking power in relation to their engine output and curb weights.

Last but not least, the Style Edition is there for those who want more out of their rides when it comes to looking good. But other than that, it gets the same features and mechanical bits as the LX AT. 

For more car-buying guides like this, keep reading here on Philkotse.com.