The New Kia Stonic 2026: Everything You Need to Know About the Next-Gen Crossover

In the highly competitive world of B-segment crossovers, staying fresh and relevant is crucial. Recognizing this, Kia has unveiled a comprehensive facelift for its popular Stonic model. The **new Kia Stonic 2026** is not just a minor update; it's a significant revision that brings a new design language, more powertrain options, and a completely modernized interior to the beloved crossover.

Announced on September 11, the revised Stonic is set to hit the German market by the end of 2025. This major update positions the Stonic to compete fiercely with newer rivals, proving that a trusted model can be comprehensively refreshed to meet the demands of modern drivers. Here’s a detailed look at everything you need to know about the upcoming Kia Stonic.

Exterior Design: Embracing "Opposites United"

The most striking change to the new Kia Stonic is its adoption of Kia’s latest "Opposites United" design language, which gives it a much more aggressive and sophisticated look. This philosophy, which combines sharp lines with smooth surfaces, is evident throughout the vehicle's revised exterior. The front fascia now features a more prominent grille and redesigned bumpers that give the car a bolder presence. These new bumpers also contribute to a slight increase in length, adding 25 millimeters to the Stonic’s overall dimensions.

Kia has also updated the lighting signature, introducing their signature "Star Map" lights, which give the Stonic a distinct and recognizable look at night. Revised fenders complete the fresh front-end design, while the rear gets a new tailgate and new taillights that echo the modern lighting theme. The design team has also introduced new wheel designs and expanded the color palette with two exciting new colors: Adventurous Green and Yacht Blue.

Engine and Powertrain: A New Level of Power

Under the hood, the 2026 Kia Stonic receives a welcome update. While the popular 100 hp variant remains the entry-level option, Kia is introducing a new, more powerful **115 hp variant** to the lineup. This gives buyers a greater range of performance choices.

The engine options will continue to include both pure internal combustion and mild-hybrid configurations, providing a choice between fuel efficiency and a lower initial price. Both the 100 hp and the new 115 hp engines are available with a choice of either a manual or automatic transmission, ensuring there’s a configuration to suit every driving style.

Interior: A Modern, Tech-Forward Cabin

The interior of the new Stonic is where the facelift is most impactful. Kia has successfully transplanted its cutting-edge interior design from its newer, larger models into the Stonic, giving it a premium feel. The most prominent new feature is the stunning panorama display, which combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen into one seamless unit. This modern display brings a level of sophistication previously unseen in the Stonic’s segment.

Crucially, Kia has maintained a balance between touchscreen controls and physical buttons. The new steering wheel and the "multi-mode control unit" located below the central air vents provide quick and easy access to important climate and media settings, a feature many drivers will appreciate for its practicality and ease of use on the go.

Connectivity and Safety: Poaching from Higher Segments

The new Stonic is equipped with a full suite of modern connectivity features. **Kia Connect** online services are now standard, providing drivers with online navigation, Smart Key functions, and remote-control features via a smartphone app. This level of connectivity is a significant step up for the model.

On the safety front, the Stonic benefits from new advanced driver-assistance systems that were once reserved for more expensive vehicles. New features include an **active blind spot assistant** and an **exit warning system**, which alerts passengers to approaching vehicles when opening a door. These additions provide a level of safety and peace of mind that sets the Stonic apart from many of its rivals.

Sales Launch and Pricing

Kia has confirmed that the revised Stonic will be available in Germany starting in late 2025. While the specific launch date and official pricing details are yet to be announced, it is expected that the new features and design will result in a slight increase over the current model's price. However, given Kia's history of offering great value, the new Stonic is still expected to be a highly competitive option in its segment.

We will continue to monitor for more information from Kia and will update you as soon as details on pricing and availability become available!