James Wong
2026 Kia Stonic gets major facelift, in Australia by year's end with mild-hybrid
Kia's entry-level SUV is getting a significant reskin before the end of 2025, with 48V mild-hybrid tech also confirmed for Australia.
28 Days Ago
About the Kia Stonic
Last updated Sep 29, 2025The 2025 Kia Stonic lineup now begins at $25,460 before on-road costs for the base model S, which now comes equipped with a more powerful 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission as standard.
In comparison, the previous MY24 Stonic S was priced from $22,290 before on-road costs for the non-turbo 1.4-liter petrol with a six-speed manual, and $23,790 for the optional six-speed automatic—resulting in a base price increase of $1670 to $3170.
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Additional standard features are also available across the entire range, including blind-spot collision avoidance assist, front parking sensors, electric folding mirrors, and alloy wheels.
For the mid-spec Sport, key upgrades—aside from its new drivetrain and features from the Stonic S—include rear privacy glass, climate control, and rain-sensing wipers.
The GT-Line adds all of the above enhancements, LED tail lights, and three-stage heated front seats.
CarExpert Rating
Good
Read the 2025 Kia Stonic Sport reviewThis rating has been converted from our previous rating system. Read about our new review ratings.
Pros
- Drive-away pricing remains sharp
- Relatively practical and efficient
- Strong 7-year warranty
Cons
- Drive-away pricing remains sharp
- Relatively practical and efficient
- Strong 7-year warranty
Comparative Rating
Quickly see how this car stacks up against its competition. Select any benchmark to see more details.
Power to Weight
60.31 kW/t
58.16 kW/t
165.79 kW/t
Boot Space
352 litres
264 litres
520 litres
Fuel Efficiency
5.4 L/100km
3.8 L/100km
9.2 L/100km
Vehicle Range
833 km
460 km
1,146 km
Price
$25,460 - $32,480
$21,990
$86,800
Warranty (Years)
7 years
2 years
10 years
Warranty (Distance)
Unlimited
100,000 km
Unlimited
Years on Sale
4 years
2 years
6 years
Service Interval
12 months
12 months
24 months
Towing & Off-Road Capability
Gross Vehicle Weight
1,680 kg
1,480 kg
2,580 kg
Braked Towing Capacity
900 kg
400 kg
1,700 kg
Ground Clearance Unladen
183 mm
140 mm
209 mm
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Kia Stonic News
2025 Kia Stonic Reviews
2025 Kia Stonic Price
S
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 1.0L, 7-speed auto, 5-door SUV, Petrol, FWD | $25,460 |
| 1.0L, 7-speed auto, 5-door SUV, Petrol, FWD | $25,660 |
| 1.0L, 7-speed auto, 5-door SUV, Petrol, FWD | $26,160 |
Sport
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 1.0L, 7-speed auto, 5-door SUV, Petrol, FWD | $28,590 |
| 1.0L, 7-speed auto, 5-door SUV, Petrol, FWD | $28,790 |
| 1.0L, 7-speed auto, 5-door SUV, Petrol, FWD | $29,290 |
Gt-Line
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 1.0L, 7-speed auto, 5-door SUV, Petrol, FWD | $31,780 |
| 1.0L, 7-speed auto, 5-door SUV, Petrol, FWD | $31,980 |
| 1.0L, 7-speed auto, 5-door SUV, Petrol, FWD | $32,480 |
*excl. on-roads
All Kia Stonic Pricing
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2025 Kia Stonic Boot Space
Rear seats position | Size |
|---|---|
Rear seats up | 352 litres |
Rear seats down | 1155 litres |
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2025 Kia Stonic Gallery
CarExpert High Resolution Photos of the Kia Stonic
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2025 Kia Stonic Exterior
The Korean brand’s entry-level crossover is the new step up from the pint-sized Picanto, and can be viewed as a stand-in for the Rio hatchback in the light car segment as well as a natural rival to the the top-selling Mazda CX-3.
2025 Kia Stonic Interior
The Stonic closely resembles the now-discontinued Rio hatch on which it is based, making it difficult to spot any significant differences between them. This similarity translates into a clean, minimalist dashboard design with straightforward switchgear, complemented by an 8.0-inch high-resolution display running Kia's latest infotainment and navigation software.
Kia and Hyundai’s native interface is known for its clean design, intuitive menus, and quick response times. The Stonic is well-equipped with standard features such as navigation, DAB radio, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, unlike an increasing number of competitors, it lacks connected services. Kia has been gradually introducing its Kia Connect suite across its lineup, so this feature might appear in the Stonic’s successor.
The Stonic's boxier proportions create a sense of width and spaciousness inside. However, soft-touch materials are absent, with hard plastics dominating the cabin except for the front elbow rests.
The driver’s cockpit features clean analogue dials rather than a digital display. Conventional tachometer and speedometer gauges flank a 4.2-inch color supervision display that shows a digital speed readout, among other functions. It serves its purpose effectively.
The Stonic offers practical storage solutions, including a deep cubby beneath the center stack with an integrated shelf, large door bins, and an additional compartment under the front-center armrest.
Front-seat comfort is decent, though not class-leading, primarily due to seat positioning and adjustment limitations that may affect taller occupants' lower back and thigh support. The upholstery, with leatherette bolsters and cloth inserts, is more comfortable in warm weather compared to full leatherette found in some rivals and features a distinctive design pattern for added visual interest. The GT-Line’s flat-bottomed steering wheel is ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing.
In the rear, the Stonic provides reasonable space, accommodating average-sized adults with good leg, knee, and headroom. It functions best as a four-seater, with the middle seat in the second row reserved for occasional use. Like many of its rivals, it lacks rear air vents and a fold-down center armrest but does offer a USB charging port and a map pocket behind the front passenger seat. ISOFIX anchors are fitted on the outer rear seats and top-tether points for all three rear seats.
The boot capacity stands at 332 liters with all seats in use, expanding to 1132 liters when the rear seats are folded. However, despite visible cutouts for one, there is no adjustable floor to level the step between the boot floor and the seat backs, indicating this feature may be available in other markets. A space-saver spare wheel is located under the boot floor, but no additional storage space is provided.
2025 Kia Stonic Infotainment
Central to the Kia Stonic's dashboard is an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a user-friendly interface.
One of the standout features of Stonic’s infotainment system is its support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This allows for seamless integration of smartphones without the hassle of cables, enabling easy access to apps, music, and hands-free communication directly from the touchscreen.
The front USB charging port also ensures that devices remain powered throughout the journey, adding a practical touch to the tech-savvy interior.
The Sport variant and above also add an additional USB port, DAB+ digital radio, and built-in satellite navigation (which you probably will never use since you have phone mirroring).
2025 Kia Stonic Fuel Economy
There are 1 different fuel economy figures for the Kia Stonic
The most fuel efficient Kia Stonic is the S with a 7-speed Automatic which is powered by a 1.0L Turbo and uses 5.4L of Unleaded per 100km on the combined cycle.
| Kia Stonic | Fuel Type | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0L, 7-speed auto, 5-door SUV, Petrol, FWD | Unleaded | 5.4 L/100km |
Cost of ownership
What are the running and servicing costs of a Kia Stonic?
The 2025 Kia Stonic is backed by the brand’s standard seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.
It’s understood the Stonic’s 2024 capped-price service costs carry over for 2025.
Service interval | Service cost |
|---|---|
12 months/10,000km | $289 |
24 months/20,000km | $490 |
36 months/30,000km | $344 |
48 months/40,000km | $725 |
60 months/50,000km | $325 |
72 months/60,000km | $608 |
84 months70,000km | $576 |
Total | $3357 |
How does the 2025 Kia Stonic drive?
Our expert take on Kia Stonic drivability.
2025 Kia Stonic | Data |
|---|---|
Engine | Turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder |
Power | 74kW @ 4500-6000rpm |
Torque | 172Nm @ 1500-4000rpm |
Transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic |
Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
2025 Kia Stonic Warranty
What is the warranty on a Kia Stonic?
The Kia Stonic offers a 7 year unlimited km warranty. This is separate to the warranty on offer under Australian Consumer Law which can be greater for certain parts based on what is deemed as a reasonable period of time.
Should you buy the 2025 Kia Stonic
Is this the right car for you? Out experts buy or not guide.
In an era of rising prices, the Kia Stonic has maintained its appeal by offering competitive pricing and substantial value for money within its segment.
However, the Stonic could be even more compelling if Kia introduced the full range of features and technologies available in overseas markets, enhancing its competitiveness in this highly contested category. Additional driver assistance systems and more powerful, fuel-efficient powertrains are available from the factory. Still, unfortunately, Kia Australia has yet to incorporate these upgrades, leaving the Stonic less equipped than its rivals.
Despite this, the Stonic’s core strengths remain intact. The GT-Line trim delivers an enjoyable driving experience, the desired crossover aesthetics and ride height, ample interior space given its compact dimensions, and is backed by Kia’s industry-leading seven-year warranty.
However, the high service costs, particularly for the turbo variant, are a notable drawback for the Stonic’s long-term ownership appeal. For those who can forgo the additional power, the mid-spec Sport trim offers a feature set similar to the GT-Line at a significantly lower price, provided availability allows it.
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Kia Stonic FAQs
The cheapest Kia Stonic is the S that starts from $25,460.
The most expensive Kia Stonic is the Gt-Line that starts from $32,480.
The best towing capacity of a Kia Stonic is 900 kg offered by the following variants: S, Sport and Gt-Line.
The largest Kia Stonic is the Sport which measures 1760mm wide, 4140mm in length and sits 1520mm tall.
The most powerful Kia Stonic is the Sport which has 74kW of power from its 1.0L Turbo engine.
The Kia Stonic is built in Korea and shipped to Australia.
The heaviest Kia Stonic is the Sport which weighs 1680 kg (kerb weight).
The Kia Stonic uses Unleaded.