Kia has unveiled the 2026 Stonic, ahead of its launch in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2025, featuring significant design and interior upgrades to stay competitive in the small SUV market.
The compact SUV has received a substantial makeover both inside and out, four years after its initial arrival in Australia. The facelift includes sleek, EV-inspired headlights and dual widescreen displays that bring a more modern and premium feel to the cabin. The updated Stonic will also introduce mild-hybrid technology to Kia’s local lineup for the first time—a system that assists the petrol engine to enhance fuel efficiency and lower CO₂ emissions, without relying solely on electric power to drive the wheels.
Kia has revamped the front and rear styling of the Stonic to align with its newest design language, introducing updated LED headlights and taillights, redesigned bumpers, and a fresh tailgate. While the core body structure, doors, and bonnet remain untouched to keep production costs down, the facelift includes new 16- and 17-inch alloy wheel options—one of which is exclusive to the GT-Line variant. The color palette also expands with two vibrant additions: Adventurous Green and Yacht Blue.
Inside, the Stonic has been updated with a redesigned dashboard that features dual 12.3-inch displays and a touch panel, similar to those found in the EV6 and Sorento, that allows users to switch between climate control and media functions. The cabin also gains a new center console, a redesigned steering wheel and gear shifter, and an electronic parking brake replacing the previous manual one.
While the infotainment system doesn’t run Kia’s latest software, it now supports live services and includes a digital key feature. Additionally, USB-C ports have taken over from the older USB-A ones, and a wireless charging pad has been added.
The 2026 Kia Stonic will carry over its existing 1.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine producing 74kW and 172Nm. However, for the first time in Australia, a 48-volt mild-hybrid version is expected to be offered, delivering 85kW and 200Nm. It’s still unclear whether this drivetrain will be standard across the range or limited to specific variants, but it’s said to reduce fuel consumption by up to 5% by allowing the engine to shut off while coasting.
Additional new features in the updated Stonic include blind-spot monitoring with automatic braking, safe exit warning, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, and highway driving assistance.
The 2026 Kia Stonic is scheduled to hit Australian Kia showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2025, with local pricing and full specifications to be revealed.
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