Even several years after its debut, there's still nothing else on the road quite like the 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.
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 $4.32 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
great
8.1/10
Edmunds 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.
Even several years after its debut, there's still nothing else on the road quite like the 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
8.0/10
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.
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.
Technology
8.0/10
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.
Fuel Economy
8.0/10
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.
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)
2020 Kia Stinger GT2 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
I have the fully optioned GT2 RWD version. This car is fantastic. I'm not sure what can be said that hasn't already been said, but I'll try to put my ideas down. This car is a sum of all that it is, along with a sum of all that it is not, and in understanding this, it still comes out on top as a master of what it truly is.
Is it sporty? Yes, but it's not a sports car, and it … doesn't pretend to be. It gives you enough for a taste when the mood strikes, but it's not built to set any new lap records. It'll take off from a standstill (0-60mph in 4.7s) and roll-on fast enough with a strong smooth linear power delivery that will keep any true sports/muscle car honest in that they have to be serious about keeping the Stinger behind them, but it's no drag strip champion. It'll go around corners better than almost any family sedan you can name, but it's not setup for sports car scalpel-like corner carving. It doesn't have a manual transmission, but you can tell it you want to control shifts yourself, and it'll let you do that. The suspension, even in sport mode, leans more towards the comfort side of sport. The ride is almost never jarring. It's a highly capable sporty mile-eater, and if we accept that's what it actually is, then we can accept that the race-track and drag-strip is not what it was designed for.
Is it a luxury sedan? Yes, but it's not top-shelf luxury, and it doesn't pretend to be. It gives you a good taste of quality leather trim, soft touch materials, brushed aluminium accents, quality controls, 3-zone automated climate control, a soft quality ceiling, plenty of room front and rear, stitched panels, with middling-firm but extremely comfortable ventilated/heated seats that makes it an enjoyable place to be for hours upon hours at a time, but it cheapens out at below knee height, and that's fine unless you spend all your time in the foot-wells. ie. it's luxury where it counts, and if you don't expect more than that, then all is well.
Is it loaded with quality of life features? Yes, in this trim level. Tiltable/powered sun/moon roof, powered rear hatch, a sound system with crisp and clear sound quality reproduction that's capable of making your face vibrate with distortion free intensity. Parking assist, blind-spot monitoring, a clear reverse camera, lane keep warning/assist, frontal collision warning/auto-braking assist, 360 degree split-screen camera views, power ports front and rear, internal lighting everywhere, navigation and a fully featured infotainment system. It's all here. It may be missing a few of the very latest whizzbang sub-options (eg. no in-dash blind-spot camera view on lane-changes, physical dials instead of a fully digital configurable dash screen), but even if it doesn't have the absolute latest version of whatever feature, it will still offer a basic form of said feature.
Is it a practical daily driver? Yes, amazingly so. With the 4 doors you can stick it in comfort drive mode and you're used to the throttle response, it'll perform family/commute duties all day, every day, in high comfort. We traded in our old Camry LE for this, and the Stinger is just as capable of the daily family runabout chores as the Camry was, just in better comfort.
Can it carry much stuff? Can it or what?! Fold down the rear seats, and it's almost as roomy as a small pick-up truck with covered rear. I used a throw-down sheet to protect the upholstery, but I parked next to a guy in a pickup truck at Lowes, and it so happened that we were both buying stuff for flooring projects. I was able to fit underlay, the boards, tools, trim, the whole works for a 200sq.ft project in the one trip. The guy loading up next to me was pretty much the same thing, and the back of his pickup truck looked almost as full as my Stinger. Later I picked up a 55 gal aquarium for the wife with a flat pack cabinet. No problem. It still had plenty of room left over.
This car truly is a jack of all trades, but a master of the one thing that matters most in a one-car family garage, versatility....and that's what this car is, a highly comfortable mile-eating sporty grand-tourer with a capital V on Versatile. Love it!
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)
We had been looking at the Stinger since it's 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.
Perfect!!
5 out of 5 stars
dmichael885, 04/29/2020
2020 Kia Stinger GT-Line 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I had no intention of buying a Kia when I started looking. I was looking into BMW 5 and Audi A6. The Kia was as fun to drive and the interior caught me off guard with how nice it was. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase and saved money in the process. Win-win
Awesome Beast!
5 out of 5 stars
Keith Cruickshank, 03/15/2020
2020 Kia Stinger GT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
The Kia Stinger GT with its 3.3 liter engine makes 376 lb feet of power. I've had admiring looks everywhere I go! Comfortable seating, lots of power, spacious rear storage and thousands cheaper than Audi S5 and BMW. It nor only best these competitors in power it excels in value. Providing a stellar value proposition . Get yours today! You will be amazed at how awesome this car is!
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.
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
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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 45 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 45 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
