Kia Stonic GT-Line 2025 Review

The 2025 Kia Stonic GT-Line costs $32,480 (plus on-road costs) and is the premium model in the Stonic line-up, which includes base S ($26,160 plus ORCs) and mid-range Sport ($29,290 plus ORCs). While Clear White exterior paint is free, any one of the remaining seven colours is $550 extra. As tested in optional Signal Red, the GT-Line costs $33,030 (plus ORCs).

There’s a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with one year of included roadside assistance. Capped-price servicing costs $3367 across seven years ($481 per year on average) and includes a further year of roadside assistance for each service – effectively amounting to eight years of care if you service exclusively with Kia.

On the outside, you get the GT-Line Package (body kit, grille and rear diffuser), 17-inch alloy wheels (with a steel, space-saver spare), tilt/slide glass sunroof, black gloss finish side mirrors, heated, electric folding side mirrors, privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers and dusk-sensing headlights.

Inside, the GT-Line comes with single-zone air conditioning, push-button start, heated front seats, height-adjustable driver’s seat, power windows with auto function for driver’s window, part-leather seats, leather sports steering wheel and gear shifter, alloy sports pedals and digital instrument cluster.

The centre stack houses an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen that comprises native satnav (with 10 years free traffic information and map updates), DAB+ digital radio, six-speaker audio, Bluetooth and wireless phone mirroring – although you need to plug your phone in to allow handsfree voice recognition commands.

Safety features for the GT-Line include blind-spot collision avoidance assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with car, pedestrian, and cyclist avoidance, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, driver attention alert, lead vehicle departure alert, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, electrochromic rear view mirror as well as LED lights front and rear.

However, the Stonic isn’t fitted with rear cross traffic AEB/alert or active cruise control. And while there are six airbags, Kia’s light SUV no longer has a five-star ANCAP safety rating (based on the Kia Rio) given it expired in December 2024.

The GT-Line, like all Stonics since the 2024 update, has a 74kW/172Nm 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine driving the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

The 2025 Kia Stonic GT-Line is a well-rounded package, with a competitive, if not outstanding features list for the price.

The interior is quite roomy for a light SUV barely four metres long and it’s easy to step in and out of, too. Cargo capacity is another strong point, with the 332-litre boot being on the larger side for its class (expands to 1132L with the rear seats folded).

While the lack of touch-sensitive screens shows the Stonic’s vintage, ergonomics are sound given all the controls and instruments are easy to find and use. The digital instrument cluster certainly adds a contemporary look, too.

The 1.0-litre engine is relatively smooth for a three-cylinder unit and offers good step-off acceleration. While I’m not a fan of dual-clutch gearboxes thanks to their inability to move slowly and smoothly in parking situations, Kia’s isn’t a lurching hot mess like some can be.

The Stonic harnesses a nimble, competent chassis that inspires confidence when you’re pushing through corners, while the ride quality remains supple enough over harsher bumps.

Without a long laundry list of active safety features, the Stonic’s more analogue approach means it has less annoying chimes and visual warnings to distract you. No doubt this will change with the impending model update.

Even though ride quality is good, it can start to deteriorate when the 2025 Kia Stonic is faced with a lumpy city road surface – the type of terrain this urban-focused SUV will largely be faced with.

Back-seat passengers miss out on some key amenities, as there’s no centre armrest or air vents and just one map pocket. Therefore, the rear of the Stonic isn’t the best seat in the house for longer trips.

The safety features are looking a bit dated for 2025 given the Stonic doesn’t come with rear cross traffic alert or braking, speed-sign recognition or a current ANCAP rating.

Fuel consumption doesn’t prove to be frugal, either. We recorded a combined average of 8.3L/100km with lots of city work, which isn’t especially efficient for an SUV of this type. Even a short highway run achieved around 6.5L/100km, but that’s still more than Kia’s 5.4L/100km combined average claim.

Given that the 2025 Kia Stonic GT-Line is soon to be replaced by a refreshed model, the dilemma is whether you wait for the new model or buy now.

Yes, there are fewer modern safety systems and tech features, but that also results in a reduction in distractions and audible warnings. The existing Stonic is bound to be cheaper than the new one, too.  

With good value, space and simplicity on its side, there is much to like about the current GT-Line.

2025 Kia Stonic GT-Line at a glance:
Price: $32,480 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 74kW/172Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed manual dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 5.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 125g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Unrated

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