Kia Stonic compact SUV teased

The Kia Stonic baby SUV will go on sale in some global markets in the second half of 2017, the Korean car maker has today confirmed.

As well as revealing its on sale date, Kia has released three new sketches of the vehicle, providing a preview of the company's all-important compact SUV.

Compared to the spy photos of the Kia Stonic we've seen previously, the sketches promise a more dramatic design with plenty of flair... and giant wheels.

In a press statement, Kia says the Stonic "will be the most customisable Kia ever, inside and out", suggesting interchange panels and/or colour accents.

The Kia Sportage SUV has grown somewhat in its latest iteration, opening the door for the Stonic to slot in underneath. It's expected to be based on the Kia Rio platform and could share components with the Hyundai Kona too.

Unfortunately for Australian buyers keen on the idea of an affordable sub-$25,000 compact SUV with a seven-year warranty, Kia Australia says this particular vehicle is unlikely to arrive in the local market. The reason? It's paired with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that's deemed under-powered for Australian tastes.

Instead the Aussie market will have to wait until 2019 for a completely different compact SUV, leaving the Sportage to soldier on as Kia's entry-level SUV.

A mashup of the words speedy and tonic, the Kia Stonic's cabin reveals a good-sized high-definition infotainment screen will be offered.

Plenty of smartphone integration options are also on the cards for the Stonic.

Kia has always had ambitions to offer an affordable, mainstream compact SUV and the Stonic will do just that, the five-door compact SUV setting up showdowns with the likes of the Toyota C-HR, Nissan Juke and Honda HR-V.

Engine types for overseas markets are likely to include three-cylinder turbo-petrol and four-cylinder turbo-diesel powerplants, with a focus on fuel economy.

The Korean car-maker's big play in 2017 will be the launch of the Kia Stinger large car in September, which is aimed at Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore owners with its rear-drive layout and turbo-petrol V6 engine option.