Hyundai Kona vs Kia Stonic
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Hyundai Kona: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h and warranty.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Kona starts from $26,600 before on-road costs, while the Kia Stonic opens at $26,990. That makes the Hyundai Kona the more affordable entry point by $390.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $29,260 and $29,689 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Kia Stonic by roughly $1,710 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Kona features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Kia Stonic gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Kona stands out with wireless charging that you will not find on the Kia Stonic. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Kona lines up producing 110kW and 180Nm of torque, sent through a smartstream intelligent variable transmission (ivt) with sequential manual mode to a FWD layout.
The Kia Stonic responds with a Petrol making 88kW and 172Nm, paired to a 7-speed dct driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.2 seconds.
The Hyundai Kona has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 88kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Kona measures 4,205mm long on a 2,600mm wheelbase, 40mm longer than the Kia Stonic at 4,165mm (2,580mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Kona generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 374L in the Hyundai Kona and 352L in the Kia Stonic, giving the Hyundai Kona a 22L advantage.
For towing, the Hyundai Kona leads with a 1,300kg braked capacity vs 900kg. That 400kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m to 10.6m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,767/year for the Hyundai Kona and $1,425/year for the Kia Stonic. That is a $342 annual difference in favour of the Kia Stonic.
Estimated annual total: $1,767 (Hyundai Kona) vs $1,425 (Kia Stonic). The Kia Stonic saves you roughly $342 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Kona if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Stonic if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai Kona takes 4 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Kia Stonic will save you roughly $342 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Kona and Kia Stonic?
The Hyundai Kona is the cheapest at $26,600 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia Stonic by $390.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Stonic uses the least fuel at 5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Hyundai Kona and Kia Stonic carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Kona has the largest boot at 374L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Kona has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,300kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai Kona makes the most power at 110kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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