Kia Stonic 2026: Facelifted small SUV bringing mild-hybrid option to tackle Toyota Yaris Cross, Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Venue

The facelifted 2026 Kia Stonic will be launched in Australia within the fourth quarter of the year.

Revealed foreign earlier this month, the Stonic facelift will accumulate beauty upgrades each and each inner and out, moreover to a modern relaxed-hybrid drivetrain which guarantees larger efficiency, fuel economic system, and fewer emissions.

Anticipated to market alongside the Stonic’s sole engine offering — a 1.0-litre turbocharged three cylinder — the modern forty eight-volt relaxed-hybrid drivetrain must elevate vitality by 15-percent, from 74 kW / 172 Nm to 85kW / 201Nm, whereas also lowering its 0-100km/hr time to 10.8sec.

Carbon dioxide emissions will drop from 125 – 131g/km (low-high) to 120 – 127, and fuel economic system improves by 0.3L/100km, now 6.4L/100km mixed (WLTP).

Every Stonic drivetrains will be mated to a seven-tempo dual clutch automated, that will maybe also exclusively vitality the entrance wheels. Regardless of availability in foreign markets, a manual transmission offering is no longer going to return to Australia. That option became discontinued mid final year.

Providing a hybrid drivetrain is notable if the Stonic is to compete with key section rival the Toyota Yaris Inferior, which turned exclusively hybrid in January 2024. The modern drivetrain can even give the Stonic a leg-up in opposition to common Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Venue rivals.

The facelifted Stonic physique has been restyled to slot into Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ procedure language, that comprises sharper physique traces, a modern entrance and rear clip, modern-discover 16-hasten wheels (17-hasten for GT-Line devices), ‘Critical person Draw’ futuristic brightwork, and a modern grille.

Kia says it has also redesigned the Stonic bootlid. Boot quantity stays unchanged at 350L. Physique dimensions remain unchanged too, other than an additional 25mm physique dimension (now measuring 4165mm).

Internal, Kia has geared up its familiar panoramic dual 12.3-hasten infotainment and driver cluster show camouflage to the Stonic, alongside a series of present driver help programs. Standout additions encompass ‘excellent’ cruise administration, safe exit warning, lane observe benefit, and entrance collision avoidance benefit.

More Australian explicit facts on the facelifted Kia Stonic, including pricing and finite drivetrain facts, will change into available when the model debuts within the neighborhood later within the year.