2025 Kia Stonic: More grunt, more safety tech for more money

The updated 2025 Kia Stonic range is due imminently, with the Australian lineup to go all-turbo in the coming months bolstered by more equipment to offset price rises.

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A confidential dealer bulletin obtained by CarExpert details some of the specification changes in addition to pricing adjustments, which will see the price of entry rise by $3000 – though part of that is due to the axing of manual models.

The MY25 Stonic will kick off at $25,460 before on-road costs for the entry-level S, which will come standard with a more powerful 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Previously, the MY24 Stonic S was priced from $22,290 before on-roads for the atmo 1.4-litre petrol with six-speed manual, and $23,790 for the optional six-speed auto – so the new drivetrain adds about $1700.

2025 Kia Stonic: More grunt, more safety tech for more money

There's more kit across the range too, including the range-wide standardisation of blind-spot collision avoidance assist as well as front parking sensors and electric folding mirrors. Alloy wheels are now standard on the base model, too.

Key upgrades for the mid-spec Sport other than the new drivetrain and aforementioned changes to the S include rear privacy glass, single-zone climate control and rain-sensing wipers.

The GT-Line picks up all of the above plus LED tail lights and three-stage heated front seats. See the lists below for the full rundown of upgrades.

According to the dealer bulletin, production of the 2025 Kia Stonic commenced for the Australian market on 1 May, 2024 – so we expect an official announcement with full details soon.

2025 Kia Stonic: More grunt, more safety tech for more money

The outgoing MY24 Stonic S and Sport – currently subject to a stop-sale due to crippled supply – are powered by a 74kW/133Nm 1.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine offered with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

Standard for MY25 is a 74kW/172Nm 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine paired exclusively with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic in Australia. A more powerful 48V mild-hybrid version of this powertrain is offered overseas, though it's been ruled out for Australia.

While the quoted power output is the same, the new turbocharged motor offers more torque which peaks earlier in the rev range (1500rpm v 4000rpm). The dual-clutch transmission also offers an extra ratio over the outgoing auto.

Further, the 1.0 T-GDI coming to lower grades is significantly more efficient against official testing, quoting combined consumption of 5.4L/100km versus 6.7L/100km. The turbocharged mill also includes idle stop-start technology.