Kia Stonic

Pros:

• Good for a single family with manageable children
• Decent features and good-looking
• Great to drive with nice fuel efficiency
• Comfortable ride and better ground clearance for city driving
• Easy hill assist
• Smooth ride on road trips

Cons:

• Slightly underpowered, especially at lower rpm
• Poor fuel economy
• Expensive and limited availability of spare parts
• Low resale value
• Some issues with electronic faults
• Noisy drive belt rattle
• Issues with reliability and build quality
• Uncomfortable seats
• Some users experienced issues with mechanical parts like the throttle body
• Some complaints about the infotainment system, clutch engagement, and lane assistant

Mazda 3

Pros:

• Better quality and drive compared to Stonic
• More comfortable and better spec
• Longer wheelbase for a more comfortable high-speed drive

Cons:

• Service requirements may be too frequent for some users
• Avoid Mazda diesel
• Preferable over Stonic due to power and comfort

Comparison with Swift

• Suzuki Swift GLX: Comparable in budget to Stonic, offers better fuel efficiency and resale value according to some users

Other Recommendations

• Hyundai Ceed: More practical and nicer drive compared to Stonic
• Hyundai Kona: Similar engine to Stonic but considered sportier
• Hyundai Seltos: Suggested as a better option if considering a Kia
• Toyota Yaris Cross, Geely Coolray Premium SE: Alternatives to consider within a similar budget range
• Nissan Kicks VE: Suggested for a hybrid option within budget constraints

Note:

• Users mentioned experiences with various issues such as mechanical problems, discomfort, and reliability concerns with the Kia Stonic
• Recommendations varied between Kia Stonic, Mazda 3, and other similar options based on preferences for power, comfort, and reliability