Kia’s smallest SUV in Australia, the Stonic, has undergone a second facelift and is now available in local showrooms with refreshed styling, upgraded technology, and the addition of a 48‑volt mild‑hybrid system.
Retail prices for the 2026 Kia Stonic have risen by $2,020 to $3,260, while national drive-away prices have increased by $2,100 to $3,400.
The Stonic now starts at $28,180 before on-road costs, or $30,890 drive-away, for the entry-level S grade. This model comes equipped with larger alloy wheels, keyless entry, push-button start, multi-collision braking, an electronic parking brake, center console storage, and a rear parcel shelf.
All trims continue to use the 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, now enhanced with a 48‑volt mild-hybrid system for 2026 to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions.
Peak power has risen from 74 kW to 88 kW at 6000 rpm, while torque stays at 172 Nm.
The Stonic’s combined fuel consumption has improved from 5.4 L/100 km to 5.0 L/100 km, while CO₂ emissions have dropped from 125 g/km to 116 g/km, with its electric starter‑generator assisting the petrol engine, though it cannot drive the wheels solely on electric power.
The Sport and GT-Line variants now feature a larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, up from eight inches, and include Kia Connect telematics for automatic emergency calls and remote control of vehicle functions.
These variants also support over‑the‑air software updates, though they operate on older infotainment systems compared with newer Kia models such as the K4, Sportage, Sorento, and Tasman.
The Stonic Sport and GT-Line return to wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto since Kia’s older infotainment setup does not support wireless smartphone connectivity when paired with built-in satellite navigation.
Compared with the 2025 model, additional updates for the 2026 Stonic Sport include black cloth and synthetic leather upholstery, upgraded autonomous emergency braking with junction-turning detection, adaptive cruise control, and LED front fog lights.
The GT-Line, priced from $35,740 before on-road costs or $37,990 drive-away, also adds a heated steering wheel, customizable ambient lighting, and a wireless smartphone charger with an integrated cooling fan.
The updated 2026 Kia Stonic is now available in showrooms.
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