{"id":2589,"date":"2025-08-18T10:13:55","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T00:13:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/?p=2589"},"modified":"2025-08-18T15:14:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T05:14:06","slug":"review-2025-kia-stonic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/review-2025-kia-stonic\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: 2025 KIA Stonic"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>2025 KIA Stonic<\/strong><\/a> is Australia\u2019s no-fuss small SUV that focuses on city practicality, light steering, and a friendly price tag. For 2025, the big change is under the bonnet: every variant now runs the turbo-three with a dual-clutch auto, which helps the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>Stonic<\/strong><\/a> feel perkier around town without scaring the fuel bill. Cabin tech is straightforward, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>2025 KIA Stonic<\/strong><\/a> interior has wireless phone mirroring, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>2025 KIA Stonic<\/strong><\/a> exterior design stays neat and tidy rather than shouty. If you want simple, usable, and cheap to keep, it makes a solid case.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"582\" data-end=\"597\">Pros and Cons<\/h2>\n<h4 data-start=\"598\" data-end=\"606\">Pros<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"609\" data-end=\"724\">All models now get the 1.0-litre turbo and DCT, so no \u201cwrong engine\u201d picks.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"727\" data-end=\"843\">Light controls and compact <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\">2025 KIA Stonic<\/a><\/strong> dimensions make parking a breeze.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"846\" data-end=\"950\">Claimed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>2025 KIA Stonic<\/strong><\/a> fuel efficiency of 5.4 L\/100 km on 91 RON.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"953\" data-end=\"1032\">Seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 data-start=\"1034\" data-end=\"1042\"><\/h4>\n<h4 data-start=\"1034\" data-end=\"1042\">Cons<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"1045\" data-end=\"1160\">Five-star ANCAP rating from 2017 has expired, and retest status is unknown.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1163\" data-end=\"1219\">Dual-clutch can hesitate at low speeds if you rush it.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1222\" data-end=\"1333\">Rear seat and boot are fine for the class, but not class-leading anymore.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1359\">How Much Does It Cost?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1360\" data-end=\"1741\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>2025 KIA Stonic<\/strong><\/a> price opens at $25,460 before on-road costs for the S, $28,590 for the Sport, and $31,780 for the GT-Line. National drive-away pricing listed as $27,740, $30,340, and $33,540 respectively at launch. Independent guides show a similar band: roughly $25,660 to $31,980 across the range.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1743\" data-end=\"1766\">Features and Benefits<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1767\" data-end=\"2062\">Every <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>2025 KIA Stonic<\/strong><\/a> gets the 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder (74 kW, 172 Nm) with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and front-wheel drive. Claimed combined use is 5.4 L\/100 km on 91 RON and there is a 45-litre tank, so you can plan decent range between fills.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2064\" data-end=\"2421\">Tech highlights are honest rather than flashy. The 8.0-inch touchscreen has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there is a digital instrument display. The Sport adds nav, DAB+, push-button start, a centre armrest and climate control. The GT-Line piles on LED lighting, heated fronts seats, and a sportier look.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2423\" data-end=\"2431\">Safety<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2432\" data-end=\"2797\">Important context for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>2025 KIA Stonic<\/strong><\/a> safety ratings: the model carried a five-star ANCAP result derived from the Rio platform, but that rating expired in December 2024. A retest has not been confirmed. On the upside, AEB and lane-keeping tech are standard, and 2025 adds blind-spot collision avoidance and front sensors.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2799\" data-end=\"2814\">Running Costs<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2815\" data-end=\"3159\">Kia\u2019s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty remains one of the best in the segment. Servicing is every 12 months or 10,000 km, and the published seven-year capped-price total is $3,357 at the time of the 2025 update. That is not bargain-basement, though parts and service network reach help ownership.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3161\" data-end=\"3192\">Comparison To Its Competitors<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3193\" data-end=\"4033\">If you want the cheapest driveway price, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/hyundai-venue\"><strong>2025 Hyundai Venue<\/strong><\/a> undercuts the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>Stonic<\/strong><\/a> on entry variants, though the Venue\u2019s 1.6 and four-speed auto are older tech. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/mazda-cx-3\"><strong>Mazda CX-3<\/strong><\/a> remains the driver\u2019s pick for steering and polish, but it now starts higher than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>Stonic<\/strong><\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/toyota-yaris_cross\"><strong>Toyota\u2019s Yaris Cross<\/strong><\/a> brings hybrid thrift and a bigger brand tax. If fuel is your top priority, it sips as low as the mid-threes (hybrid), but you will pay more to get in. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/mg-zs\"><strong>MG ZS<\/strong><\/a> continues to push drive-away deals; feature count is strong, dynamics more modest. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/skoda-kamiq\"><strong>Skoda Kamiq<\/strong><\/a> is the \u201cgrown-up\u201d option with Euro flair, a loftier price, and a sweet 1.0-TSI or 1.5-TSI tune. In short, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>2025 KIA Stonic<\/strong><\/a> vs competitors story is value with modern safety tech now standard, decent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>2025 KIA Stonic<\/strong><\/a> performance for the class, and a warranty many rivals still chase. If you crave hybrid economy, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/toyota-yaris_cross\"><strong>Yaris Cross<\/strong><\/a> wins. If you want sportier feel, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/mazda-cx-3\"><strong>CX-3<\/strong><\/a> is sharper. If budget rules, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/mg-zs\"><strong>MG<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/hyundai-venue\"><strong>Venue<\/strong><\/a> are tempting. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>Stonic<\/strong><\/a> lands in the sensible centre.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3193\" data-end=\"4033\">2025 Kia Stonic Australia Review: Price, Size, Efficiency, Safety and Best Alternatives<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"2025 Kia Stonic review\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JH1xo4USWGQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"4891\" data-end=\"4903\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4904\" data-end=\"5335\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>2025 KIA Stonic<\/strong><\/a> technology and safety updates fix the big complaints from earlier years, and putting the turbo engine across the range makes choosing easy. It is not a rocket and it will not pamper like pricier Euros, yet it nails the daily stuff: easy to park, frugal enough, simple to use, and covered by a long warranty. If you want a small SUV that behaves like a reliable appliance with a hint of pep, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>Stonic<\/strong><\/a> delivers.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"5337\" data-end=\"5355\">Rating: 7.6\/10<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5356\" data-end=\"5674\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>2025 KIA Stonic<\/strong><\/a> earns points for value, real-world <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/model\/kia-stonic\"><strong>2025 KIA Stonic<\/strong><\/a> fuel efficiency, and straightforward tech. It loses ground on its lapsed ANCAP rating and merely average cabin polish. Still, for many Australian buyers, this is the right balance at the right price.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2025 KIA Stonic is Australia\u2019s no-fuss small SUV that focuses on city practicality, light steering, and a friendly price tag. For 2025, the big change is under the bonnet: every variant now runs the turbo-three with a dual-clutch auto, which helps the Stonic feel perkier around town without scaring the fuel bill. Cabin tech&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/review-2025-kia-stonic\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Review: 2025 KIA Stonic<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2593,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,2,5],"tags":[2593,2603,2597,2595,2599,2596,2598,2594,2600,2601,2602],"class_list":["post-2589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-best-cars-to-buy","category-buying-your-new-car","category-choosing-the-right-car","tag-2025-kia-stonic","tag-2025-kia-stonic-dimensions","tag-2025-kia-stonic-exterior-design","tag-2025-kia-stonic-features","tag-2025-kia-stonic-fuel-efficiency","tag-2025-kia-stonic-interior","tag-2025-kia-stonic-performance","tag-2025-kia-stonic-price","tag-2025-kia-stonic-safety-ratings","tag-2025-kia-stonic-technology","tag-2025-kia-stonic-vs-competitors","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2589","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2589"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2589\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2672,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2589\/revisions\/2672"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2593"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2589"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2589"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2589"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}