Orders paused for most Kia Stonic models

Order books have been closed for two of the three versions of the Kia Stonic city SUV – which account for the vast majority of sales – amid high demand and an updated model due early next year.

A spokesperson for Kia Australia said the company is focusing on filling existing orders ahead of a "model-year upgrade" in the first half of 2024.

The affected variants are the entry-level S and middle-of-the-range Sport which – based on data supplied to Drive in late 2021 – account for as much as 80 per cent of Stonic sales.

The top-of-the-range GT-Line – which uses a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine in place of the S and Sport's 1.4-litre non-turbo four-cylinder – remains available to order.

It is unusual for car companies to pause orders between model years if there are no major updates – suggesting Kia's smallest SUV may be in line for significant specification upgrades.

While a second facelift akin to the city-sized Picanto appears unlikely – as no prototypes have been spotted testing overseas – the Stonic could benefit from new safety features.

Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are offered in Europe, but are not available in Australia.

More details of the updated Kia Stonic – expected to be a Model Year 2025 vehicle, even though it will be released early in the year – are due in the coming months.