Kia has finally done away with the dreary non-turbo engine in lower-grade Stonic models, as well as adding a few expected safety features to the range.
Does that make this small SUV stack up better than before? Well, it costs more now (but doesn’t everything?) and there are still some kinks that could be ironed out…
But in this review, you’ll learn if the mid-spec 2025 Kia Stonic Sport is the pick of the range, or if spending a couple of grand more on the GT-Line would be a better bet.
How much does the Kia Stonic cost?
The updated Stonic small SUV range has increased between $990 and $3300 compared to its predecessor.
The variant tested here is the mid-spec Sport, which previously was a misnomer. But with the new, more powerful three-cylinder turbo engine, it actually lives up to the moniker a little better.
| Model | Price before on-roads | Drive-away price |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Stonic S | $25,460 | $27,740 |
| 2025 Kia Stonic Sport | $28,590 | $30,340 |
| 2025 Kia Stonic GT-Line | $31,780 | $33,540 |
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool.
What is the Kia Stonic like on the inside?
Kia hasn’t gone hard on the whole ‘bling’ thing on the inside of the Stonic, especially compared to some rivals that have a whole lot more wow factor for new car buyers.
There have still been some improvements for the Stonic that bode well for buyers, including a digital instrument cluster rather than a small screen flanked by conventional dials.
The centre part of the new display includes a multi-info display, with a trip computer screen, compass, temperature readout and more. When you change drive modes (yes, all grades have three modes – Normal, Sport and Eco) the colouring around the edges of the cluster changes.
The other screen is an 8.0-inch touchscreen unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both of which require you to plug in. There’s also no wireless phone charger, so this isn’t feeling as modern as many rivals in this class.
But in some ways, the old-school screen is great because it’s simple to learn, the menus are straightforward, and there are buttons below and dials to the side for simple changes on the move.
The mid-spec Sport has satellite navigation as standard, but I mainly stayed connected to CarPlay and had no issues with it (as is typically the case with USB-connected mirroring).
The brilliance of simple controls continues below the touchscreen, with dials for the single-zone climate control temperature and the fan speed, as well as buttons for the air direction, air circulation, and front and rear defoggers.
Who would have thought those things would be worthy of praise? But those blingy, screen-heavy small SUVs often have minimal physical buttons and knobs, which makes them tedious to interact with.
There are illuminated vanity mirrors (you need to flick the switch to light things up, though), and it gets a manual day/night mirror, not an auto-dimming one. There’s a standard sunglass holder, however.
Storage up front is decent, with a shelf above the USB-A port that’s a bit too cramped to fit a large smartphone. There’s also a pair of cupholders between the seats, a covered centre console area, and decent front door pockets for bottles.
Something you can’t escape in this car is the feeling of cheapness – the armrests on the doors are hard plastic, and it’s not a nice feeling on your elbow!
In the back, it’s the same story. The door cards have bottle holders but also have hard plastic finishes. There’s also no flip-down armrest, so no cupholders. Other amenities include a single USB-A port, one map pocket, grab handles on the ceiling and a light.
No directional air-vents in the back means that parents mightn’t find the situation to be ideal for little ones in the back, but there are ISOFIX points in the window seats and three top tethers for child seats.
The space for a six-foot adult behind their own driving position is okay, but a bit cramped in terms of legroom. Head room, toe room and shoulder space are all fine for the size of the car.
The boot space is decent, with 332 litres of cargo capacity with the back seats up, and 1132L available when you fold those rear seats down.
There are shopping bag hooks and a handy storage box on the side of the boot area, and while there are locators for an adjustable hard boot floor, the actual boot floor is flimsy, and doesn’t slot in there to raise the floor.
Under the boot is a space-saver spare wheel, which is a plus.
| Dimensions | Kia Stonic Sport |
|---|---|
| Length | 4140mm |
| Width | 1760mm |
| Height | 1520mm |
| Wheelbase | 2580mm |
| Cargo capacity | 332L (5 seats) 1132L (2 seats) |
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool.
What’s under the bonnet?
As mentioned, the big change here is the standardisation of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which previously was reserved for the top-spec GT-Line.
| Specifications | Kia Stonic Sport |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.0L 3cyl turbo |
| Power | 74kW |
| Torque | 172Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch auto |
| Driven wheels | FWD |
| Weight | 1227kg (tare) |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 5.4L/100km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 7.1L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 45 litres |
| Fuel requirement | 91 RON (E10 capable) |
| CO2 emissions | 125g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 5 |
| Braked tow capacity | 900kg |
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool.
How does the Kia Stonic drive?
The previous engine in the S and Sport grades was a dud.
Well, that might be harsh – it was barely adequate in terms of power, and the auto transmission always felt like it was robbing you of momentum by trying to upshift early to save fuel.
This new engine? It was a great fit for the sportier looking GT-Line in the last range, and it is definitely a more fitting device for this application more broadly.
With a relatively light weight and a decent amount of torque, the updated Stonic never feels like it runs out of puff like the last model did, and the engine is a bit of a revelation.
It offers ample zest and zippiness in slower driving situations around town, and also handles highway hauling with ease, responding quickly to sudden throttle inputs.
The seven-speed dual-clutch isn’t perfect, but it does do a good job once you’re away from a standstill.
In stop-start situations it can be a bit sluggish to respond, especially if the engine start-stop system has activated. That, with DCT and turbo lag can make for some less-than-perfect take-offs from a standing start.
At speed the DCT is good, offering smart and snappy shifts, and in my testing I found it to be more agreeable than I recalled the GT-Line feeling previously.
Sitting atop 17-inch wheels with relatively low-profile rubber there is a bit of a firmness to the ride, but it doesn’t get clumsy or crashy unless you hit a really sharp edge.
The steering is nicely weighted and responsive in urban driving, but there’s also a level of surety and control that some cheap Chinese alternatives don’t offer when driving on country roads or at freeway pace.
There’s a bit of racket to contend with on coarser road surfaces, but it isn’t too bad around town.
Thankfully, unlike plenty of rivals, there is not an abundance of frustrating safety technology that require disabling before you can drive in peace. There is a lane-keeping button, which is simple to disable if you don’t like it.
But what may annoy some is the lack of adaptive cruise control, which makes distance commuting a bit more of a ‘do I really have to think this much at 7am?’ task.
What do you get?
The 2025 Kia Stonic range continues to be offered in three trim levels – on test here is the mid-spec Sport variant.
Kia Stonic S highlights:
- 15-inch alloy wheels (NEW)
- Space saver spare wheel
- Idle stop-start
- Cloth upholstery
- 6-way manual driver’s seat adjustment
- Heated, electric-folding side mirrors (NEW)
- Roof rails
- Digital instrument cluster
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Front USB charging port
- Manual air-conditioning
Stonic Sport adds:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Front fog lights
- Push-button start
- Rear privacy glass (NEW)
- Front centre console armrest
- Rain-sensing windscreen wipers (NEW)
- Premium shift knob
- Premium steering wheel
- 2 x USB charging ports
- Satellite navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Single-zone climate control (NEW)
- Auto window defogger
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool.
Is the Kia Stonic safe?
The Kia Stonic achieved the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2017, based on testing of the now-defunct Rio. That rating is due to expire in 2025 – it’s not clear whether it’ll be retested due to the recent upgrades.
| Category | Kia Stonic |
|---|---|
| Frontal Offset Score | 14.52 out of 16 |
| Side Impact Score | 16.00 out of 16 |
| Pole Score | 2 out of 2 |
| Seat Belt Reminders Score | 3.0 out of 3 |
| Overall Score | 35.52 out of 37 |
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with forward collision warning
- Car, pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane following assist
- Lead vehicle departure alert
- Front (NEW) and rear parking sensors
- Blind-spot collision avoidance (NEW)
- Dusk-sensing automatic headlights
- Speed-sensing auto door lock
Those additional safety items do add some value and convenience, but it still lacks adaptive cruise control. Many affordable rivals include this along with traffic jam assist.
It also is fitted with six airbags – dual front, front side and full-length curtain.
How much does the Kia Stonic cost to run?
Kia offers a standard seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. The brand also includes roadside assistance for up to eight years, providing you service within the brand’s dealer network.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.
| Service interval | Service cost |
|---|---|
| 12 months/10,000km | $290 |
| 24 months/20,000km | $491 |
| 36 months/30,000km | $345 |
| 48 months/40,000km | $727 |
| 60 months/50,000km | $326 |
| 72 months/60,000km | $610 |
| 84 months/70,000km | $578 |
| Total | $3367 |
At an average cost of $481 per service, the maintenance is on the pricey side.
In fact, it’s more than double the cost of a Toyota Yaris Cross to service, and that rival has longer service intervals too. So make sure you do the maths, because if you travel 20,000km a year it’s going to add up fast.
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool.
CarExpert’s Take on the Kia Stonic
There is no doubt the turbo engine makes a big difference to the drive experience in the lower spec Stonic models, but make sure you take it for a thorough test drive with lots of stop-start situations to see how you find the engine and transmission at city speeds.
Otherwise, it’s a pretty compelling option compared to budget-focused alternatives, especially if you appreciate not having to interact with a screen to try and do anything in the cabin.
Interested in buying a Kia Stonic? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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