Even several years after its debut, there's still nothing else on the road quite like the 2023 Kia Stinger. This sleek hatchback offers a look and feel you won't find anywhere else in the class. It also has loads of cargo space. Overall performance doesn't quite live up to the sport sedan looks, but the Stinger won't leave you bored.Read full review
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
Pros
Entertaining levels of performance
Refined interior with hatchback utility
Generous warranty coverage
Cons
Limited headroom for rear passengers
Ride quality can get a little bumpy at times
Sloping roofline hampers rear visibility
What's new
GT1 trim level discontinued
Part of the first Stinger generation introduced for 2018
Overview
When it comes to enigmatic cars, the 2023 Kia Stinger might top the list. It's a sport sedan offering the utility of an SUV. It's a Kia with premium design and interior fittings. It looks like a low-slung coupe, but it has room for your spouse, your kids, and enough luggage under its rear liftgate for a family road trip. It can easily drift around paved corners but offers available all-wheel drive for when a snowstorm strikes. Depending on your priorities in a new car, owning a 2023 Stinger might have you thinking you've died and gone to heaven.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Kia Stinger GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
What's that? You didn't even know the Kia Stinger exists? Don't worry. You're not alone. But you still have time to check this car out and get one before it's gone. You see, Kia is in the midst of a big electrification push, and with the arrival of the EV6, there simply isn't much need for Kia to keep the Stinger in its lineup. But there's still a lot to like about this overlooked sport sedan. Check out our Expert Rating below for our in-depth testing of its performance, comfort and more.
What's it like to live with?
When Kia introduced the Stinger for the 2018 model year, we added one to our long-term road-test fleet and put more than 18,000 miles on it. Aside from consistent complaints about outward visibility and a lack of refinement concerning the adaptive cruise control system, the twin-turbocharged Stinger GT2 proved its worth. You can read up on our experience living with a Stinger in our long-term test of the car.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Great
8.1
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
Even several years after its debut, there's still nothing else on the road quite like the 2023 Kia Stinger. This sleek hatchback offers a look and feel you won't find anywhere else in the class. It also has loads of cargo space. Overall performance doesn't quite live up to the sport sedan looks, but the Stinger won't leave you bored.
How does the Stinger drive? We tested the Stinger GT-Line with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive. It's smooth and responsive and provides quicker acceleration than most other sedans in this price range. In Edmunds' testing, the Stinger hit 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, which is decently quick. There's also the V6-equipped Stinger GT1 or GT2 if you need more power. With that engine the Stinger rips from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds.
Braking performance isn't quite as good. It took the Stinger GT-Line 133 feet to stop from 60 mph, which is longer than the braking distance we get from many SUVs we test. We blame the GT-Line trim's all-season tires, which aren't particularly grippy. Those tires also hold it back when it comes to handling, though the Stinger still feels responsive and fun on winding roads. It leans more in the corners than other sport sedans, but it's fairly composed overall. The Stinger's steering is a highlight. It's on the lighter side, but there's a decent amount of feedback. It's quick and precise and makes the car feel relatively nimble.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the Stinger? While it doesn't balance comfort and performance as well as the V6-powered Stinger GT, we found the four-cylinder GT-Line to be smooth and refined. The suspension smooths out bumps and imperfections pretty well, but the ride can get a little jittery on rough pavement. The seats are the bigger letdown. The fronts are well shaped with plenty of support, but the padding is a bit too stiff and can reduce comfort on long drives. The rear seats are stiff too and somewhat flat. They're not uncomfortable, but they're not outstanding either.
The Stinger is pretty quiet. At idle, you occasionally need to look at the tachometer to see if the engine is still on. When you get moving, there's a mild amount of wind and road noise, but nothing unacceptable for the class. The standard dual-zone climate control works well and has easy-to-use controls.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? The Stinger's interior is a reasonably nice place to spend your time behind the wheel. The driving position is excellent. The seat and steering wheel offer a decent amount of adjustment, so it's easy to find a comfortable position and be able to reach the major controls. The seats are low, and that means it can be hard for some passengers to get in and out, but it does give the Stinger a sporty feel when you're behind the wheel.
The Stinger feels tighter inside than other midsize sedans, especially in the rear. The sloping roofline that creates the Stinger's slick profile means the heads of taller passengers are likely to rub up against the headliner. The front seat offers more room, but other midsize sedans (including Kia's own K5) are better. Visibility is a bit obscured. The rear window is tiny, and thick pillars can block your line of sight.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $6,447 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $6,447 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the GT2 trim.
How’s the tech? The Stinger offers a decent array of in-car tech and driver aids, though there's nothing in here you won't find in other midsize sedans. Still, what Kia does offer works well. The infotainment and navigation system are easy to use and operate. The home screen allows for a bit of customization too. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard, though there's no wireless connectivity. There is a wireless charging pad and a handful of USB ports and 12-volt outlets for charging.
The Stinger includes a number of standard driver aids and safety features. Those include blind-spot monitoring and forward collision alert. Most of the features are easy to use and work well. Kia also includes a lane centering feature. It's supposed to keep the car centered in the lane, but it constantly tugs at the wheel or ping-pongs between the lane lines. We ended up just turning it off in our testing.
Storage
8.5/10
How’s the storage? Pop open the Stinger's trunk and you'll find it's actually a sleek-looking hatchback. The cargo area offers 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats raised, more than almost any other midsize sedan out there. With the seats folded flat, the space opens up even more. Small-item storage is good too. The center console and door pockets are sizable, and a small bin in front of the large cupholders is a perfect place for a phone or sunglasses.
Fitting a car seat inside is a bit more difficult than in some other sedans. While the car seat anchors are easy to access, the anchor on the seatback requires you to remove the cargo cover. The low-sloped roofline also might make getting a child in and out a bit frustrating too.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Fuel Economy
8/10
How’s the fuel economy? The Kia Stinger with the four-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving. While that's slightly lower than other midsize sedans with similar horsepower, the Stinger got 26.9 mpg on Edmunds' real-world evaluation route. That's as good or better than what we've seen in much of the competition.
Value
8.5/10
Is the Stinger a good value? The Stinger's base price is high for a midsize sedan, but it comes well equipped from the get-go. You also get Kia's excellent five-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Build quality feels appropriate for the price. While it's not as nice premium inside as some Mazdas or newer Kias such as the K5, the Stinger feels a cut above most midsize sedans.
Wildcard
8.5/10
Is there another midsize sedan that looks as interesting or as special as the Stinger? It's the sort of car that people take notice of, even if they don't know what it is, a matter not helped by Kia's divisive new logo. The mild tweaks that come with the refresh do enough to freshen the design without messing with what made it handsome in the first place. We just wish the four-cylinder GT-Line model was as fun to drive as it looks. Its middling braking performance, underwhelming tires and somewhat soft suspension keep it from being a real joy. But if that's what you're after, get the GT1 or GT2.
Which Stinger does Edmunds recommend?
The entry-level GT-Line is an outstanding choice thanks to a new turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and dual-clutch automatic transmission introduced last year. Together they transform the base model's character while saving thousands of dollars that you can spend on extras like all-wheel drive, fancy paint, an upgraded infotainment system and a premium audio system.
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
Kia Stinger models
The 2023 Kia Stinger is a midsize sedan available in two trim levels: GT-Line and GT2. The GT-Line comes with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (300 horsepower, 311 lb-ft), while the GT2 gets a punchy turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 (368 hp, 376 lb-ft). Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. Highlighted features for the Stinger include:
GT-Line
Comes standard with:
18-inch wheels
LED headlights
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Keyless entry with push-button start
Leather upholstery
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Tech features include:
10.25-inch touchscreen display
Integrated navigation system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Wireless charging pad
Nine-speaker audio system
Every Stinger also comes with driver aids such as:
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Navigation-based adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front and can adjust speed based on GPS location)
Lane keeping assistance (steers the Stinger back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Rear passenger safe-exit system (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind)
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
There are two notable option packages on the Stinger GT-Line:
Sun and Sound package
Sunroof
15-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
Power-adjustable front passenger seat
GT-Line Apex Special Edition package
Brembo brakes
Black mirrors, fender trim and exhaust tips
Carbon fiber-patterned interior trim
GT2
The GT2 is a big step up from the GT-Line, but it gets you the 3.3-liter V6 engine and more performance goodies, including:
19-inch wheels
Adaptive suspension (can improve both ride comfort and handling stability)
Brembo brakes
Launch control for optimal acceleration
Limited-slip rear differential (can enhance traction during acceleration; RWD model only)
2021 Kia Stinger GT2 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
I took a lot into consideration when deciding to buy a Stinger, but it ended up beating out other new Kia models, as well as the more expensive luxury sedans (I.e. Mercedes, audi, Lexus, etc.). The Stinger occupies a fairly niche class in the car market (Performance sedans from non-luxury brands), and actually shares the class with cars like the Dodge Charger. Despite being from a … "non-luxury" brand, the quality of the Stinger easily rivals that of typical luxury brands. All in all, I love my car. It's a blast to drive, the ride is incredibly smooth, and it has great all around performance. I passed up the typical "luxury" brands because of the increased costs, and because I have no interest in being associated with the Uber-bougie reputation those brands are associated with.
As for what I think about the vehicle, I would agree with the "cons" described by Edmunds' professional reviewers in that it has pretty poor rear visibility due to its fastback design. It sits rather low as well and with the sloping roofline, it can be difficult to get in and out of. There is some slight jitteriness at times, but I feel this is minimal and isn't worrisome to me.
Beyond the aforementioned styling issues, etc., I absolutely love the look and feel of the vehicle. The interior and exterior quality is outstanding for the class of vehicle the Stinger falls in. The interior is incredibly comfortable. While I missed out on the larger 10'' infotainment screen of the 2022, I feel the 8'' screen of the 2021 is plenty large enough. The UI took some getting used to as the car has a lot of available tech, but was easy to use once I spent some time with it.
My only other [slight] complaint is the gas mileage. Though, this is somewhat relative, as depending on the vehicle you are coming from, fuel economy may be better or worse. For me the drop to 17/25/20 was an adjustment. That said, I would like to point out that when driven on the Eco setting and driving mildly, my MPG has been consistently higher than the EPA ratings above. When driving on a Highway with 60-70 MPH, the inertia of the car is enough to carry it over hills easily and I was able to get 29 MPG. My combined MPG is usually 21-23. Even though I'm driving on Eco, I feel very loss of performance.
All-in-all, I love my new car, and I definitely don't regret my purchase. I love driving my Stinger, and I love seeing other Stingers on the road. I feel like I'm part of an underappreciated car club; especially since the roads in my area are dominated by Lexus, Mercedes, Audi, and BMW. When I see someone driving one of the typical "luxury" brands, I can't help but think that they got duped into paying a lot more for an insignia rather than actual value.
A well balanced high performance GT!
5 out of 5 stars
Armtek, 04/22/2021
2021 Kia Stinger GT2 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
UPDATE: No major issues approaching 40k miles. Had drivers side rear window die but covered under warranty. Still a hoot to drive!
We had been looking at the Stinger since its release and finally got around to buying one. It was our sixth new Kia from Peak Kia in Littleton, CO and 8th overall, so it's safe to say we're Kia fans. I've always been a big fan of Kia's return on investment, … and the 2021 Stinger GT2 AWD is the best example of that. It's very well designed, You can have a leisurely commute and then jump into a high performance bit and always be in control. It has enough power to get you into trouble, but enough features and tech to keep you out of it. This car is certainly a 'halo' car for the brand, and has been useful in shaking out some of the newer tech that's filtered down into the rest of the lineup this year. I take the head-up display HUD for granted a lot and really would like to see it standard on more cars because it really keeps your focus on the road and not looking down at the instrument panel. Especially useful on a commute as you can see the blind spot indicators on the HUD without even turning your head. The 360 camera is also great. Moving the ride mode to 'Sport' mode is really great as the driver seat bolsters move in to 'hug' you, just to let you know that you may be in for some g-forces (which you can call up on a gauge, by the way. The only 'complaint' is that the Apple CarPlay version in the 2021 requires a charging cable connected to it for communication, but the vehicle also has wireless charging and bluetooth which is inconvenient, and when you have a large phone like an iPhone 12 pro max it barely fits to begin with (once you trim the rubber pad on the charger. Wireless connections would be appreciated here.
17k miles later: We went on vacation from Colorado to Illinois/Michigan and back the summer of 2021 and long runs are definitely a pleasure in the Stinger. The 'tech' saved our butt when we had a torrential downpour and the radar speed control and lane detection still worked, keeping us alerted to anything ahead and making sue we stayed in the lane. Later through the winter, absolutely no problem in getting anywhere. We moved to Greeley, so my commute went from 20 minutes to 51 minutes, and wouldn't consider the longer commute with anything but the Stinger. It's not all perfect world, though. Intermittent issues with backup camera (blue screen), occasional interruption of downward pointing side mirrors when in reverse, and resetting HUD height occasionally back to default.
Can’t beat the perfomance
4 out of 5 stars
CrawdadE, 10/05/2021
2022 Kia Stinger GT1 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
The Stinger GT is a joy to drive. There have been a lot of rattles coming from the drivers side door and sunroof. The biggest issue is the paint chipping from day one of buying the car. Still working out that with Kia consumer affairs. As of a month of trying to get resolved, still no luck. You get a lot of performance for the money, but you will be irritated by the little things that … you feel you shouldn’t have to deal with when you bought a brand new car.
Almost Perfect
4 out of 5 stars
Kyle H., 01/17/2021
2021 Kia Stinger GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
The overall appeal and feel of this vehicle is great! I went with the 2021 Kia stinger GT line. It's the 2 l turbo, now this thing absolutely does not have a bunch of power initially but it's got a bunch of potential. The overall feeling and handling of it is almost perfect I believe the sway bar is definitely need upgraded to give it a little bit more less of a flex around turns but the … overall strength of the structure is perfect. It's very long and there's plenty of space in it for a sports sedan. The aesthetics of it are absolutely amazing although the headlights come with halogen bulbs in them compared to the upgraded model that has amazing LEDs so I had to swap those bulbs out immediately after buying it. I believe there should be some more safety features that come stock in it no matter what but I do give the car four out of five stars.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Kia Stinger, so we've included reviews for other years of the Stinger since its last redesign.
For about the same price as a Stinger GT-Line, you could get yourself a fully loaded Honda Accord Touring. The Accord is bigger inside with a more comfortable back seat, and while its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine isn't as powerful, the Touring is nevertheless enjoyable to drive. Honda doesn't offer all-wheel drive, though, and while the Accord has an accommodating trunk, the sedan lacks the Stinger's hatchback utility. See what we thought of living with the Accord during a long-term road-test of the current-generation model.
Remember the Kia Optima? Good. Now forget about it, because Kia's traditional midsize sedan is currently named the K5. The only thing the Kia K5 has in common with the Stinger is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and shared infotainment and safety tech. Otherwise, the cars are completely different. With that said, if you don't care about the Stinger's styling, hatchback design, more sporting driving dynamics or available twin-turbo V6, you can save thousands by choosing a K5 GT instead.
Because it has a hatchback configuration like the Stinger's, the Volkswagen Arteon is the Kia's natural rival. In many ways, though, that rear liftgate and roomy cargo area are the only similarities between the two. Kia builds the Stinger on a rear-wheel-drive platform, while the Arteon is a front-driver. (Both offer all-wheel drive, though.) The Stinger is available with extra power and performance, while the Arteon makes do with a turbo-four that's nearly as robust as the Kia's base engine. The Vee Dub also has significantly more passenger space, especially in the back seat. Choosing between them depends on your preferences and priorities.
Alerts you if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't react in time.
Lane Keep Assist
Warns if you are drifting out of your lane and gently nudges you back.
Blind-Spot Collision Warning System
Illuminates a warning light if a car is in your blind spot and beeps if you activate your turn signal in that direction.
NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
4 / 5
Driver
5 / 5
Passenger
4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Driver
5 / 5
Passenger
5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Rating
Front Seat
5 / 5
Back Seat
5 / 5
Rollover
Rating
Rollover
5 / 5
Dynamic Test Result
No Tip
Risk Of Rollover
8.7%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good
2023 Kia Stinger First Impressions
by the Edmunds Experts
•12/21/2021
What is the Stinger?
The Kia Stinger has been one of the most surprising vehicles released over the last half-decade. Seemingly out of nowhere, Kia introduced a midsize sedan/hatchback with rear-wheel drive and a pair of spunky turbocharged engines. In our eyes, it's one of the best vehicles on the road — a fun-to-drive four-door with the DNA of a German sport sedan and a price tag that rivals a Honda Accord.
We've heard rumblings that the Stinger is not long for this world. Despite a nicely trimmed interior and thrilling driving dynamics, it's a fairly niche vehicle in a world that either prefers family-friendly crossovers or sedans that are more practical than the Stinger. Given customer tastes, it's unsurprising that the Stinger is the lowest-selling model in Kia's lineup. We think that if you're even thinking about adding a Stinger to your driveway, do it with a 2022 Kia Stinger soon. We don't think you'll have long before this high-octane Kia shuffles off this mortal coil.
Edmunds says
The Kia Stinger invigorates the midsize sedan segment with a pair of powerful engines and a rear-wheel-drive layout. If you're interested in the Stinger, buy it now. We have a feeling it won't be sticking around much longer.
FAQ
Is the Kia Stinger a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Stinger both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.1 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 Stinger gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 26 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Stinger has 23.3 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Kia Stinger. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Kia Stinger?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Kia Stinger:
GT1 trim level discontinued
Part of the first Stinger generation introduced for 2018
To determine whether the Kia Stinger is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Stinger. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Stinger's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Kia Stinger a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Kia Stinger is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 Stinger and gave it a 8.1 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 Stinger gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 26 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Stinger is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Kia Stinger?
The least-expensive 2023 Kia Stinger is the 2023 Kia Stinger GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $36,690.
Other versions include:
GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $36,690
GT-Line 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $38,890
GT2 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $51,890
GT2 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $54,090
If you're interested in the Kia Stinger, the next question is, which Stinger model is right for you? Stinger variants include GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A), GT-Line 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A), GT2 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A), and GT2 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of Stinger models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more