Similar in size to the Mazda CX-3, the Kia Stonic will arrive at the end of the year.

Prices are tipped to start from about $20,000, placing the new model between Kia’s biggest seller, the Cerato, and its Seltos small SUV launched in October.

Based on the same platform as the Rio city car, the Stonic is shorter than a CX-3 but is 100mm longer than the Venue from sister company Hyundai. Most importantly, it has a much larger boot than the CX-3 to maintain family appeal.

“There is an emerging light SUV segment. We see an opportunity to take a slice,” says Kia product planner Roland Rivero.

“There’s a clear step up. You go Stonic, Seltos, Sportage, which will grow in the new generation, and Sorento will complete our SUV line-up.”

Unveiled four years ago, the Stonic was initially ruled out for Australia as the sole engine was a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo (88kW/171Nm). A non-turbo 1.4-litre four-cylinder (73kW/133Nm), now available, is expected to be favoured for import.

The Stonic is longer than the Rio at 4140mm, sits 70mm taller and rides 42mm higher. Expect standard features to include a colour touchscreen with smartphone mirroring.

Funky colour options are available on overseas models, with contrasting roof hues on range-toppers.

Kia’s recent arrivals have strong safety credentials and the Stonic should follow suit, with autonomous emergency braking, blind spot warning and lane keeping assist as standard.

Even when the line-up grows to four SUVs, Kia Australia chief operating officer Damien Meredith believes there is room for growth.

“I think we need more. I think we need one or two bigger ones,” he says.

Kia was the only top-10 manufacturer to improve year-on-year sales in 2019, a challenging 12 months, and the Australian operation shows no sign of slowing.

Meredith and Rivero believe there is scope for further growth after the seven-seat Sorento relaunches in June.

They hint at an off-road capable four-wheel drive, opening the greater outdoors to Kia buyers.

Sharing the Sorento‘s underpinnings, a new Carnival people-mover arrives in Australia in the third quarter.

Also this year, the compact Rio and Picanto city car will get updates and the halo rear-wheel drive Stinger sports sedan is set for an overhaul.