Kia has released details of the 2026 Kia Stonic – an updated version of the compact crossover that was introduced in 2017. With an entirely new look at the front and rear, a new dashboard and a range of tech updates it gets a new lease of life to keep it competitive against rivals such as the Ford Puma and Nissan Juke.
Here’s the essential info on the 2026 Kia Stonic.
2026 Kia Stonic: Price, Specs and Release Date
- 2026 Kia Stonic: styling and dimensions
- 2026 Kia Stonic: interior design and practicality
- 2026 Kia Stonic: engines and driving dynamics
- 2026 Kia Stonic: price and release date
2026 Kia Stonic: styling and dimensions
The 2026 Kia Stonic has a new look that applies Kia’s latest design philosophy to an existing model with dramatic – and we’d say very successful – effect. It’s a similar makeover to the ones carried out on the Picanto, Sorento and Sportage in recent years and, as with those cars, it gives the Stonic a much bolder, more modern appearance.
The most dramatic changes are at the front, where every panel ahead of the front doors and windscreen is new. A more angular, geometric look includes a chunkier front bumper, while there are T-shaped headlights with a distinctive L-shape light signature.
There are also major changes at the rear, with a new tailgate design, re-shaped tail lights and, again, a chunkier bumper than before. Changes at the side are limited to fresh alloy wheel designs, while two new colours are available – Adventurous Green and Yacht Blue.
While the Stonic’s width and height are unchanged, the new bumpers have increased overall length by 25mm (an inch) compared with the pre-facelift car.
2026 Kia Stonic: interior design and practicality
While large parts of the interior are carried over, the 2026 Stonic has an all-new dashboard that gives it the same kind of sleek, high-tech look as Kia’s latest models. Central to the transformation is what Kia calls a ‘panoramic dual display’ – two 12.3-inch screens that form one seamless display that stretches across a large part of the dashboard. Beneath that is a ‘Multimode Touch Display’ – effectively a slim touchscreen that allows you to set it up to control either infotainment or climate control settings.
Other interior upgrades include new designs for the steering wheel, gear selector and centre console and new wireless charging and ambient lighting functions.
With no change in dimensions, practicality is unchanged. That means the revised Stonic should be comfortable enough for four, but won’t be one of the more spacious cars in the class. A maximum boot capacity of 352 litres to the load cover, for example, is well short of what you get in the Seat Arona or Ford Puma.
2026 Kia Stonic: engines and driving dynamics
There are no mechanical changes for the updated Stonic, so it remains available with front-wheel drive only and with a choice of two 1.0-litre petrol engines. The cheaper option has 98bhp, while the mild-hybrid version has 113bhp; both are available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Fuel economy is unchanged, sitting very close the 50mpg mark for all versions.
2026 Kia Stonic: price and release date
The updated Kia Stonic is on sale now. Prices are £400 or so lower than the outgoing model, ranging from £21,795 for the entry-level model to £28,295 for the range-topping version. Trim levels are Pure, GT-Line and GT-Line S.
(All prices correct at time of publication but are subject to change and should be independently verified by checking the relevant manufacturer websites.)