Turbo time: 2025 Kia Stonic gets powertrain updates as the light SUV battles top sellers like the Mazda CX-3 and Toyota Yaris Cross

The stop-sale on the 1.4-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated version of Kia's Stonic is permanent, it seems, as the brand readies the model to go all-turbo from 2025 onwards.

This means the 2025 Kia Stonic light SUV will exclusively use the brand’s turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine across all three model grades - S, Sport and GT-Line.

That engine, currently available in the GT-Line (which is the only model available to order right now) makes 74kW and 172Nm, and is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. It’s the same amount of power, but much more torque than the naturally aspirated 1.4-litre four makes, 133Nm.

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Customers who have already ordered a 1.4-litre Stonic will still receive their car as Kia Australia focuses on fulfilling back orders, but the engine is being discontinued globally and won’t make its way back into the line-up.

A Kia Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide more details will be confirmed closer to the 2025 Stonic’s arrival, but was unable to give more details regarding what the light SUV will have in store aside from its drivetrain.

The 2025 Kia Stonic light SUV will exclusively use the brand’s turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine across all three model grades - S, Sport and GT-Line.

Given the Stonic has been around for three years in Australia and several years internationally prior to that, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Stonic updated with some new tech - likely including safety gear - to bring it a little more up to date.

As Kia Australia is referring to the ‘MY25’ arriving this year, we would expect to see it land not long after the halfway point for 2024, but don’t hold out hope to see it before then.

A Kia Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide more details will be confirmed closer to the 2025 Stonic’s arrival.

Previously, the Stonic started from $22,290 before on-roads for the (1.4) base S with a manual gearbox, up to the current $30,790 for the still-available GT-Line.

Expect to see prices increase if the Stonic is updated for next year, though entry grades should still fall well below the $30,000 mark even with the turbocharged engine and DCT replacing the outdated running gear.