The 2026 Kia Stonic packs a more powerful, more efficient powertrain and more modern styling inside and out, but pricing is up to $3260 higher.
After announcing pricing for the refreshed light SUV last week, Kia has now detailed full specifications for the Stonic though local imagery remains limited.
The Australian-market Stonic continues to use a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, but now features a 48V mild-hybrid system. Peak torque is unchanged at 172Nm, but maximum power has jumped from 74kW to 88Nm.
Additionally, fuel consumption on the combined cycle has dropped from 5.4L/100km to 5.0L/100km, while CO2 emissions are down from 125g/km to 116g/km.
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The overhauled light SUV, a rival to the top-selling Mazda CX-3, starts at $28,180 before on-roads – up $2020 on the outgoing model. The Stonic Sport has climbed $2000 to $32,290 before on-roads, while the flagship Stonic GT-Line is up $3260 to $35,740 before on-roads.
Sport and GT-Line variants gain Kia Connect connected services and support for over-the-air software updates, as well as dual 12.3-inch screens inside the cabin.
You still get only wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however, in Stonics with satellite navigation as the small Kia sticks with older-generation infotainment. That means only the base S, with its smaller 8.0-inch screen, offers wireless smartphone mirroring.
Missing from the local spec sheet is Kia’s semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist, which combines adaptive cruise and lane centring functions while also integrating navigation data to adjust speeds for corners.
The refreshed interior features a new steering wheel and gearshifter, and USB-C outlets, plus ‘Multimode Touch Display’ touch-capacitive switches for climate control and media adjustment, which will be familiar from other Kias like the Sportage and Sorento.
This is the second facelift for the Stonic, which launched here early in 2021 but had been on sale in Europe since 2017.
Now sporting the Korean brand’s new ‘Opposites United’ design language, the Stonic trades the old model’s more fluid and organic lines for a more angular look shared with the likes of the EV3 and K4.
This exterior refresh includes the new corporate ‘face’, plus a redesigned tailgate and tail-lights, and new wheels and bumpers.
It has grown slightly, to the tune of 25mm in length (to 4165mm), while boot capacity has expanded by 30 litres (to 352L).
Pricing
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2026 Kia Stonic S | $28,180 (+$2020) |
| 2026 Kia Stonic Sport | $32,290 (+$2000) |
| 2026 Kia Stonic GT-Line | $35,740 (+$3260) |
Drivetrains and Efficiency
There’s still a turbo-petrol 1.0-litre three-pot under the bonnet, but it now has a 48V mild-hybrid system in Australia.
| Specifications | Kia Stonic |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.0L turbo-petrol 3cyl with 48V mild-hybrid system |
| Power | 88kW @ 6000rpm |
| Torque | 172Nm @ 1500-4000rpm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch auto |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1265kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 5.0L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 45L |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane regular unleaded fuel |
| CO2 emissions | 116g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 5 |
| Towing capacity | 900kg (braked) 450kg (unbraked) |
Dimensions
| Dimensions | Kia Stonic |
|---|---|
| Length | 4165mm |
| Width | 1760mm |
| Height | 1500mm (S) 1520mm (Sport, GT-Line) |
| Wheelbase | 2580mm |
| Cargo capacity (VDA) | 352L (rear seats up) 1155L (rear seats folded) |
Servicing and Warranty
The Kia Stonic is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Kia Australia has yet to announce capped-price servicing details for MY26.
Safety
The Kia Stonic no longer has a rating from safety authority ANCAP as its five-star rating from 2017 expired on December 31, 2024.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Blind-spot assist
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane Following Assist (lane centring)
- Lead Vehicle Departure Alert
- Multi-collision brake
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Reversing camera
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
The Sport gains AEB with junction turning assistance, as well as adaptive cruise control with stop/go. Both are new for 2026.
Standard Equipment
There are three members of the Stonic lineup.
The base S comes standard with the following equipment:
- 16-inch alloy wheels in 195/55R16 tyres (NEW)
- Tyre repair kit
- Automatic halogen headlights
- LED front fog lights
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
- Electronic parking brake with auto hold
- Cruise control
- Proximity entry with push-button start
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wired and wireless Android Auto
- 6-speaker sound system
- Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
- Cloth upholstery
- 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
- 60:40 split/fold rear seats
- Power windows with auto up/down for driver
- 1 x USB-A outlet
- 2 x USB-C outlets
- 1 x 12V outlet
- Manual air-conditioning
The Sport adds:
- 17-inch alloy wheels in 205/55 R17 tyres
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Rear privacy glass
- LED front fog lights
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system (NEW)
- Wired-only Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Over-the-air software updates (NEW)
- Satellite navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Cloth and leatherette upholstery
- Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
- Sliding front centre console armrest
- Additional USB-C outlet
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
- Climate control air-conditioning
- Kia Connect telematics (incl. remote control of locks, vehicle status monitoring via app) (NEW)
The GT-Line adds:
- Reflector LED headlights
- Sunroof
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (NEW)
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel (NEW)
- 2-tone leatherette sports steering wheel
- Alloy pedals
- Ambient lighting (NEW)
- Ventilated wireless phone charger (NEW)
Colours
All Stonics have a black interior, despite more colourful cabins being offered overseas.
Clear White is the standard exterior finish.
The following paint finishes are available for an additional $550:
- Sparkling Silver
- Astro Grey
- Aurora Black Pearl
- Signal Red
- Yacht Blue
- Adventurous Green
- Snow White Pearl