Kia Stonic vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Kia Stonic a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Kia Stonic features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class gets a 11.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class counters with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Kia Stonic gets cloth upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Kia Stonic and 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Drivetrain

The Kia Stonic uses a Petrol producing 88kW and 172Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed dct to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 11.2 seconds.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class responds with a Petrol making 150kW and 300Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 88kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is 3.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Kia Stonic measures 4,165mm long on a 2,580mm wheelbase, 586mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class at 4,751mm (2,865mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 352L in the Kia Stonic and 455L in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, giving the Mercedes-Benz C-Class a 103L advantage.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Kia Stonic's turning circle is 0.7 m tighter, 10.4 m against 11.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Kia Stonic costs about $1,425 a year (5 L/100km) and fuel for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class about $1,967 a year (6.9 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $542 a year less for the Kia Stonic.

Warranty: 7 years / unlimited km (Kia Stonic) and 5 years / unlimited km (Mercedes-Benz C-Class).

Where each one leads

The Kia Stonic: the lower starting price ($26,990 against $76,900), the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,425 a year against $1,967).

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class: more power (150kW against 88kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (455L against 352L).

The Verdict

Mercedes-Benz C-Class scores higher, 74 vs 72

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class scores 74 to the Kia Stonic's 72 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 6 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: safety (Mercedes-Benz C-Class ahead by 31 points), performance (Mercedes-Benz C-Class ahead by 29 points), value (Kia Stonic ahead by 22 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Kia Stonic costs about $542 less (5 L/100km against 6.9 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 352L in the Kia Stonic, 455L in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia Stonic, 5 on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Common questions