2018 Kia Stinger GT: What's It Like to Live With?

What do you want to know about?

• Introduction
• Monthly Update for April 2018
• Monthly Update for May 2018
• Monthly Update for June 2018
• Monthly Update for July 2018
• Monthly Update for August 2018
• Monthly Update for September 2018
• Monthly Update for October 2018
• Monthly Update for November 2018
• Monthly Update for December 2018
• Monthly Update for January 2019
• Monthly Update for February 2019
• Monthly Update for March 2019
• Monthly Update for April 2019
• Wrap-Up

Introduction

There was a curious car on the Kia stand at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show. Named the Kia GT Concept, it was a personal project of designers Peter Schreyer and Gregory Guillaume, who wanted to re-create an elegant gran turismo capable of crossing Europe with style and pace. And while we could see a nod to the Porsche Panamera and the soon-to-be-released Audi A7, concepts come and concepts go. Kia wouldn't really build something like that, would it?

When the 2014 North American International Auto Show rolled around, Kia again had a concept wearing the Stinger moniker, but this time prefaced with a "GT4." It was a coupe, and while it also looked like a hatchback, it was so far removed from the Stinger GT concept that we more or less forgot that idea even existed. Unbeknownst to us, and pretty much everyone outside of Kia, the Stinger GT was already on its way to becoming a reality.

To call the five-door sedan an oddity would be an understatement. Mazda's been the only company brave or crazy enough to try to convince Americans of the inherent practicality of an affordable midsize hatchback, first with the 626 (way back when) and more recently with the Mazda 6. Both variants vanished after only a few years. Sure, Porsche has the Panamera and Audi has the A7, but those are luxurious curiosities.

Kia is aiming for the mainstream with a starting price under $35,000, but it has also pointed its finger directly at the Panamera and cars such as the BMW 440i Gran Coupe and the Audi A5 Sportback. We were interested in getting one for our long-term fleet even before Kia made those comparisons. Now we had to get one.

What Options Does It Have?
The 2018 Kia Stinger comes in five trim levels: 2.0L, Premium, GT, GT1 and GT2. All-wheel drive is available on every one. The 2.0L and Premium trims get a potent 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine good for 255 horsepower, and the GT, GT1 and GT2 trims come standard with Kia's saucy 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6.

We went nearly whole hog with our Stinger, opting for the GT2 but skipping all-wheel drive. It's a $2,200 option and not readily beneficial in Southern California. All Stingers throw power around via a paddle-shifted eight-speed transmission, power that reaches the ground — or goes up in smoke — courtesy of 19-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber. Stopping power comes courtesy of Brembo brakes, with 13.8-inch rotors up front, 13.4-inch rotors in back. The GT2 package also includes electronically controlled suspension and multiple drive modes.

Inside, there's black leather (red is an option, even on a red car), heated and ventilated seats, a heavy-hitting Harman Kardon sound system, Kia's Uvo infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a head-up display, and mood lighting, which some of our editors will no doubt constantly change. Oh, and it's got a sunroof, too.

On the safety front, there's the usual suite of safety features with forward collision warning and avoidance, lane keeping and lane departure warning systems, a drowsy driver warning system, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. With any luck, we won't need to use those systems very often, but we're certain we'll use the Stinger's adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go almost daily. Be sure to follow the long-term blog if you want to read our take on how Kia does it.

Other than the aforementioned optional all-wheel-drive system, the GT2 package offers no other options and stickers at $49,200. Add in destination fees and a $50 cargo net, and the total for our Stinger is $50,150. That's not a cheap Kia, even when you remember the K900 can be had for well over $60,000.

Why We Got It?
We've generally liked the eight (eight!) previous Kias we've had in our fleet, so the Stinger was certainly going on the short list as soon as it hit showrooms. We're attracted to its uniqueness, practicality and promise of serious performance, especially from a brand that's done a good job of producing reliable companion vehicles. Kia's taking a bit of a chance with the Stinger, and we absolutely think it's worth a look.

But that was before Kia went and called out Audi, BMW and Porsche by name. No doubt the carmaker is trying to stir the pot, but the Stinger does have a lot going for it, undercutting similarly equipped versions of those high-end rivals by several thousands of dollars with similar performance across the board. Not only are we pulling up a chair for this fight, we're also going to pack on the miles and see if the Stinger is the real deal.

The manufacturer provided this vehicle for the purpose of evaluation.

Monthly Update for April 2018

Where Did We Drive It?
April was our first full month with the new 2018 Kia Stinger. It was a month spent getting up to speed with our interesting new long-term test car, but we still managed to roll 1,200 miles onto its odometer. Since this is not only a new car to us but also a new car for Kia, impressions are likely to differ from those for most every other Kia we've kept in our fleet. But with what I've seen so far, I'll wager this car will see 20,000 miles before the end of the year.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
It's still early days with our Stinger, but with the fuel economy we've seen tank to tank, it isn't hard to imagine the Stinger hitting its EPA estimates. Of course, with 365 horsepower available for use at our questionable discretion, we might get some pretty atrocious fuel economy, too. Something we'll definitely keep an eye on is the optimism of the in-car fuel economy meter. So far the Kia is thinking highly of its own efficiency, being about 3.3 percent optimistic on average on its onboard meter at each fill compared to what our real-world mpg is showing.

Average lifetime mpg: 17.2
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 22.3
Best range: 268.9 miles
Current odometer: 2,205 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Comfort
"I love these adjustable side bolsters on the seats!" — Rex Tokeshi-Torres, vehicle testing technician

"I just needed to check out the rear-seat comfort and seating position. I was about to pick up a friend who is 6-foot-3 and wondered how much headroom he'd have. I'm 5-foot-10 and if I sit completely against the rear seatback, my head actually brushes the ceiling. I slouched down a little and it was fine. Legroom was good, though. I just gave him fair warning and he was OK sitting back there." — Rex Tokeshi-Torres

Performance
"I love the performance the Kia Stinger offers. It's balanced. Possesses straight-line speed and power, along with really good handling. It feels athletic. Now, it won't defy physics — tighter corners will do you in since this has a relatively long wheelbase and also a lot of mass (about 4,000 pounds), but it won't shy away from them either. Just approach with caution (i.e., slow down). You can feel the rear end wanting to rotate around. It's a very fun car to drive. I recommend driving it in Sport mode. I drove through Angeles Crest Highway and it was really enjoyable. Once you have the rhythm on the curves, it brings a smile to your face." — Rex Tokeshi-Torres

Interior
"I was trying to fine-tune the outside rearview mirrors last night and while fumbling around in the dark (the mirror controls are not illuminated) I managed to fold them — at 63 miles an hour. While I appreciate the ability to fold the mirrors at the touch of a button, maybe that button shouldn't be where you can accidentally press it and give yourself a mild heart attack." — Kurt Niebuhr, road test editor

Monthly Update for May 2018

Where Did We Drive It?
We're now more than 3,000 miles into our long-term test of the 2018 Kia Stinger GT. But the car is still new enough that not everyone has driven it yet.

In May, we threw the Kia into the mix and spent many days braving the potholes and congestion of neighboring West Los Angeles streets. Other days we ventured onto the equally busy local freeways. We sprinkled in two nights of rest at a Los Angeles International Airport parking structure before the car's highlight of the month: the loop. The Edmunds vehicle evaluation loop twists north through the Santa Monica Mountains and works its way up the coast before circling back to headquarters.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
We managed to keep the Stinger close to home in May and as a result it traveled just 1,000 miles. Still, it was enough to improve our average fuel economy (by 0.6 mpg), log a new best tank (by 0.6 mpg) and record our farthest range (by 45.9 miles) between fills.

Average lifetime mpg: 17.8
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 22.9
Best range: 314.8 miles
Current odometer: 3,188 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Performance
"This big hatch exhibits some body roll, even when the dampers are in their Sport setting. Still, the Stinger GT handles well and is pretty fun to hustle around corners." — Cameron Rogers, staff writer

"The Stinger GT doesn't launch very hard from a full stop, but nail the accelerator at speed and you'll be impressed by the thrust from the twin-turbo V6. Even with a car full of people, it's quick." — Cameron Rogers

Interior
"Sunroofs are often the enemy of headroom. At more than 6 feet tall, I've driven numerous solid-roof cars that fit me just fine. But add an optional sunroof to that same car and the 1-2 inches of lost coif space changes the entire experience. The Stinger solves this problem (for me, at least) with its driver-seat adjustability. The bottom will drop almost to the floor, leaving me plenty of room to find a comfortable driving position." — Mike Schmidt, senior manager, vehicle testing operations

"The Stinger sits low and its sweeping roofline looks cool. But every so often, when I slide into the driver's seat, that roof grazes my back and head in a not-so-cool way. I've learned that if I hold my entry tuck a bit longer I won't hit as frequently. Maybe I'm the only one?" — Mike Schmidt

Monthly Update for June 2018

Where Did We Drive It?
In June, our long-term 2018 Kia Stinger GT went on a 2,400-mile road trip to scenic Idaho with me, Edmunds Staff Writer Will Kaufman, and my lovely and talented wife, Mrs. Staff Writer. That means this month's update is a special one-off, featuring 100 percent fewer contributions from other Edmunds editors. Yup, it's all Staff Writer Will Kaufman, all the time.

We drove from L.A. to Las Vegas, and thence to Boise, McCall, Ketchum, and Twin Falls (with a detour to Craters of the Moon National Monument) before heading home. Idaho is gorgeous and the burgers are delicious. Unfortunately, we also discovered we were delicious to the local mosquitoes. All in all, the trip was a rousing and relaxing success, and it's a road trip I'd encourage anyone to take. If you have an adventure van or junky Jeep Grand Wagoneer, you'll fit right in.

But how was the sporty Stinger GT as a road-trip companion? I'm glad you asked. I'm also glad you asked me, because no one else is going to get to talk this month.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
Take the Stinger GT out of Sport mode, set the cruise control to within a reasonable margin of error of the posted speed limit, and this car will easily beat its stated highway mileage. Out of nine fill-ups, only one came in at less than 25 mpg. It doesn't hurt that, in spite of some inspiring roads, Idaho drivers tend toward the respectful end of the spectrum, which encouraged me to behave myself.

We set a new mileage record at 29.1 mpg and a new range record at 395.8 miles on a single tank (at 28 mpg). All these frugal miles bumped our lifetime average up quite a bit, from 17.8 mpg to 21 mpg — right in line with the car's EPA-estimated combined mileage.

It's worth noting that I filled our Stinger with 91 octane fuel each time even though it's not required. We'll have to try a road trip-length tank on 87 octane to see if it makes a difference.

Average lifetime mpg: 21
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 29.1
Best range: 395.8 miles
Current odometer: 6,283 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Performance
"We know the Stinger is a lot of fun on a twisty road, but I rarely had a chance to cut loose in Idaho. Mostly I just cruised along. And you know what? I was fine with that. One of the great things about the Stinger is how different Sport mode feels from Comfort. Even better, in Comfort mode the Stinger calms down in a way that doesn't make it feel numb or flat. Its character in Comfort is just right for a road trip." — Will Kaufman, staff writer

Comfort
"I really, really like the driver's seat and driving position. The driver's seat balances cushioning and support, comes with plenty of adjustability, and has both a four-way adjustable lumbar and headrest. The armrests are usable, the steering wheel has enough telescoping range, and you feel low and close to the ground. Once I had my settings dialed in, I was able to put in hours of seat time without major complaints. My wife was less happy in the passenger seat. I don't know why, but both the front passenger seat and the rear bench feel firmer than the driver's seat. It makes a big difference in terms of road-trip comfort. Maybe this is just because they've had less butt time and aren't broken in yet." — Will Kaufman

Interior
"My wife's least favorite thing about the Stinger has got to be the forward visibility. We were driving through some of the most picturesque country in the U.S. and she was giving herself neck and back strain leaning forward to get a better view. The top border of the front windshield is pretty low, and if you're paying attention to it, it's actually kind of claustrophobic. Visibility in general isn't great (rear visibility is particularly bad), but it's the short windshield that's most problematic when you've got a pretty view." — Will Kaufman

Technology-Audio
"Every once in a while, the Stinger would just outright drop the Android Auto or Apple CarPlay connection. Switching cables and phones didn't make a difference; the problem still occurred at random intervals. Pretty much every infotainment system has issues, and as far as the Stinger goes, this is the only bug I've come across. It's a pretty mild annoyance compared to some of what we've experienced in other cars, and generally this infotainment system is easy to live with." — Will Kaufman

"I'm not thrilled with our Stinger's stereo. It can handle lots of volume without any distortion, and the sound quality is good, but the bass is really overboosted. Compensating for super-loud bass means the treble is cranked up enough that certain songs are harsh until you go back in and dial it down. One of the best things about the Stinger's looks is that it's sleek and sporty without being shouty and gauche. But if you're listening to anything with a bassline, you're going to be driving around with the doors shaking. It makes the listening experience less pleasant and is an overtly unrefined trait in an otherwise pretty refined car." — Will Kaufman, again

"The front parking sensors beep at you even when you're in reverse. This isn't just useless, it's also kind of dangerous because you train yourself to ignore a warning when backing up. Luckily, the rear cross-traffic alert sound is different from the proximity warning sound." — Will Kaufman

"I love that Kia clearly labeled the front-seat USB ports and made them easily accessible. They live right above a handy cubby in the center console, and their location and accessibility made it easy to charge two phones and switch which one was being projected on the infotainment system. No digging around in the dark console box in this car." — yep, Will Kaufman

Cargo Space
"The Stinger's claimed 23.3 cubic feet of trunk space is only achievable if you remove the cargo cover. Packing the car for a nearly two-week road trip required some creative arranging of bags and suitcases. The space between the floor of the trunk and the cargo cover isn't very deep; you'll find sedans with more vertical space in their trunks. The hatch does make loading and unloading easy (an important upside), but in practice this trunk isn't quite as useful as it sounds on paper. My wife was quick to point out we could fit two large roller suitcases side by side in the trunk of our 2012 Ford Focus." — Will Kaufman

"Don't put anything in the trunk of the Stinger on a sunny day that you don't want to bake. Light shines straight through the rear window and onto the black cargo cover, creating an ovenlike heat. There's also no airflow to the space under the cover. After a drive through the desert, our suitcases came out hot to the touch, which is less of an issue with a metal trunklid or an SUV with an open space in the back that shares air with the cabin." — you guessed it, Will Kaufman

Miscellaneous
"The Stinger has been giving me some issues when trying to shift into gear right after starting the car. Every once in a while, I'll select Drive with the shifter, which is basically an electronic toggle that lacks any mechanical linkage, and the car will just go into Neutral. The first few times this manifested, it was after I'd put the car in Reverse and backed out of a parking space and was trying to get into Drive. Sometimes it went into gear on my second try, sometimes it took five or six tries. It always eventually went into gear, but it's a bit unnerving to be sitting in a parking lot in Neutral, and has me worrying that one day it's just not going to go into gear at all." — yep, Will Kaufman

"Some cars just get attention. The Stinger not only got a lot of stares, more people wanted to talk to me about the Stinger than any car I've driven but the Lexus LC 500. Not bad for a Kia." — Still Will

"My job is to try to help other people figure out if a car is right for them. As such, there are a lot of vehicles that I would recommend, because they're objectively good at all the things someone else might want from a car, but that I wouldn't own myself. After about 2,500 miles over two weeks, I can say that even though I have my criticisms, the Stinger is a car I'd be happy to own." — faithfully yours, Will Kaufman

Monthly Update for July 2018

Where Did We Drive It?
Sometimes cars live up to the hype. Our long-term 2018 Kia Stinger GT's charms have, so far, proved more than just skin-deep. And while its 1,145-mile tally for July may not have a patch on the monstrous near-3,100 miles it traveled in June, it's a solid result for a car that stayed purely local.

Popularity, however, doesn't mean immunity from criticism. As with any car, we've observed a few aspects of the Stinger that could stand improvement. In general, the Stinger's powertrain and routine handling garner a warm reception, while its infotainment and secondary controls receive some modest criticisms.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
The Stinger turned in 18.2 mpg in July, which is somewhat lower than its EPA city rating. You could blame it on the Stinger's willingness to play and our willingness to oblige. Its lifetime average is running nearly bang-on the EPA combined value. The caveat is that a long road trip in June did an awful lot to skew fuel economy performance upward. We expect to see the lifetime fuel economy trend downward from here on out.

Average lifetime mpg: 20.7
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 29.1
Best range: 395.8 miles
Current odometer: 7,428 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights
Performance
"Fast. That's what this car is. Makes sense when you consider that the same turbocharged V6 quite capably powers the much-heavier Genesis G90. But yeah, the Stinger GT really moves out when you punch it. The rear end gets squirmy and BAM!, you're gone. Never mind what the numbers say. For sheer accelerative drama, this Kia might be the top dog in its class." — Josh Sadlier, senior manager, content strategy

Miscellaneous
"The shape of the Stinger's key fob makes it easy to lock and unlock without having to look at the button you're pressing. The lock is prominently located at the corner of the fob and easy to find with your thumb. The unlock, trunk release and panic alarm follow underneath, respectively. Nice, thoughtful design without overcomplicating it." — Jonathan Elfalan, manager, road test

Technology
"I like the infotainment system on our Kia Stinger, but the reach for the touchscreen feels a bit long for me. I'm someone who is often accused of sitting too close to the wheel and yet I need to fully extend my arm to reach the right corner of the Stinger's display." — Ron Montoya, senior consumer advice editor

"I'm not fond of the adaptive cruise control system in our Stinger. Even with the follow distance set to the shortest option, the system is overly sensitive and cautious. Once it detects a vehicle ahead, it starts slowing down too early. Such is the case with tractor-trailers, which I presume provide a larger surface area for reflection." — Brent Romans, senior editor

Interior
"I like so many things about the Stinger, but the audible creaks in the interior are bumming me out. I'm no stranger to this sort of thing. My own 2013 Volkswagen GTI has been creaky from the get-go. In both cases, it drives me nuts. The Stinger's creaks seem to be concentrated around the front windows and especially the sunroof. They're subtle. But drive down one of L.A.'s many decaying streets with the stereo off, and you can't miss 'em. Having just spent a lot of time with our creak-free 2018 BMW 540i, it's a difference that really stood out to me. Otherwise, the transition from the big-buck Bavarian was surprisingly smooth." — Josh Sadlier

Monthly Update for August 2018

Where Did We Drive It?
You could call August a quiet month for our 2018 Kia Stinger GT, with our team only adding about 1,000 miles to its digital odometer. No doubt the Stinger spent most of the month toodling around Southern California with no real chance to stretch its 365-horsepower legs. But this is what we ask of our long-term test cars; not every month is full of glorious road trips.

But that didn't stop us from picking up more key observations along the way. Cameron called Brent a liar (not really, but kind of), Carlos found a rare appreciation for a modern key, and Josh wonders why our Stinger doesn't ride a bit more like our BMW 540i.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
Driving around L.A. doesn't do wonders for fuel economy. We proved that in August, as the Stinger returned just 18.6 mpg for the month. But we're still within spitting distance of the EPA combined rating. And we've seen that the powerful Kia is capable of surpassing its highway rating out on the open road.

Average lifetime mpg: 20.6
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 29.1
Best range: 395.8 miles
Current odometer: 8,338 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
We took the Stinger in for its first service at 7,667 miles, a basic service consisting of an oil and filter change, tire rotation, and a multipoint inspection that examined air filters, fluid levels and tire tread depth. While there, a service action/recall popped up to check the headlight control unit. The service writer at Kia of Irvine didn't know much about it, but later Googling revealed a procedure to improve the logic of the walk-up/welcome lighting feature. Thoughtful.

The service cost us $112.56: $87.56 for the oil and filter change and $25 for the tire rotation. Our inquiries about paying 25 bucks for what we reasonably thought should be a complimentary service, at least this early into ownership, were met with shrugged shoulders and a bemused smile.

Our own smiles quickly faded when we learned the service action would require another two hours or so on top of the regular service, and coordinating a shuttle ride back home turned into a farce. Not the smoothest experience with Kia of Irvine but not terrible. We'll return there if the occasion calls for it.

Logbook Highlights

Technology
"Is it possible Brent and I are driving different cars, even though they have the same VIN? Last month, he took issue with the adaptive cruise control system. For Brent, the system reacted too quickly when it detected the car ahead.

"My experiences with the system were quite different. I found that the system, even in its most conservative setting, recognized the car in front far too late, then inelegantly jammed on the brakes as it got closer. This is especially evident when approaching stopped traffic from a high speed. Put the ACC in its 'closest' setting, and you'll see your life flash before your eyes when the system hammers the brakes. I'd hate to be behind a Stinger driver using adaptive cruise.

"The differences could be due to our contrasting commutes. Brent cruises on wide-open highways, while I'm typically stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. I'll have to drive outside of the L.A. area to test my theory." — Cameron Rogers, staff writer

Interior
"I've looked through five months of comments, and I'm shocked to see that nobody has noted the gun-slit view out the back. The window seems tall and wide from the outside, but the view from the driver's seat is limited. Part of this is due to the window's thick, black surround that limits the viewing area, along with the center high-mounted brakelight located on the top of the window. Thick rear pillars create large blind spots in the three-quarters view, too.

"It's difficult seeing out the back, but at least the Stinger's standard equipment includes a rearview camera and rear parking sensors. And while it comes on the GT2, a blind-spot monitor is available on all other trims. It's worth the extra cost in the bunkerlike Stinger." — Cameron Rogers

"The interior design of the Kia Stinger feels like it lands somewhere between an Audi and Mazda, with the vents and center stack feeling more Audi, while the infotainment, plastic parts and head-up display feel more Mazda." — Rich Kuras, creative video strategist

Comfort
"For me, the Stinger GT's biggest drawback is its ride quality. This is a two-part complaint: (1) Bumps and cracks register rather prominently in the cabin, and (2) the chassis feels kinda quivery despite Kia's claim of an 'ultra-stiff foundation.'

"Regarding the first item, I know some people will cite the GT's chunky 19-inch wheels, but we've got another performance car in the fleet with 19s right now that rides like a dream, namely, our 2018 BMW 540i xDrive M Sport. So the impact harshness is not inevitable.

"As for the rigidity question, hey, it's all relative. After a cruise in my 1999 SL600, the Stinger feels imperturbable. But it just isn't quite as solid and composed over imperfect pavement as the top cars in this price range. Nothing close to a deal-breaker here — the Stinger GT remains the first Kia I'd be genuinely excited to own and drive. But suffice it to say there's room for improvement." — Josh Sadlier, senior manager content strategy

Miscellaneous
"Would anyone bat an eye if the Stinger had Alfa Romeo badges on it? I don't think so. When I think of the modern Alfa Romeo, I think of cars such as the Stinger: attractive, smart, functional, and enjoyable to drive. That it's a Kia makes the Stinger's attributes more impressive, but more importantly, it shows that good cars don't have a language barrier." — Carlos Lago, manager, feature content

"The Stinger has a good key. Not too big, not too small, and just heavy enough to feel substantial without being a burden. The button position takes some getting used to, and I still have to hunt for the side-mounted unlock and trunk release buttons. But fortunately, I don't have to use them often since the Stinger has buttons on its door handles and on the trunk that do the job. However, the big lock button on the key fob is satisfying to hit for reasons I don't quite understand yet." — Carlos Lago

Monthly Update for September 2018

Where Did We Drive It?
I didn't really see our 2018 Kia Stinger in the office last month, so I just figured it was out gallivanting around. In reality, it seems to have been chained to a tree, having accumulated less than 500 miles for the month — still enough miles to make some observations, though.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
Not only was our Kia chained to a tree, but apparently it was idling for most of that time, too. In September, average fuel consumption dropped to a big-block-esque 15.8 mpg. We'll really need to stretch the Stinger's legs in October.

Average lifetime mpg: 20.1
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 29.1
Best range: 395.8 miles
Current odometer: 9,100 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Interior
"I'll echo earlier comments in saying that the rear visibility on this thing is a big issue. The rear roof pillars are massive, not to mention the window is about the size of an envelope. It's a minor problem on such an otherwise great car, but it's a problem you'd have to deal with 100 percent of the time you drive it." — Travis Langness, reviews editor

Comfort
"I haven't really opened the taps on our long-term Stinger yet. Mostly I've just had the opportunity to drive it to and from work. That means it's had to behave itself, and it totally has. Basically, this is a perfectly serviceable and comfortable daily driver. Even over broken L.A. streets, I don't have any discomfort. I'm anxious to take it on a road trip, throw some curvy back roads in there, and really see what it can do." — Travis Langness

Monthly Update for October 2018

Where Did We Drive It?
It can take a few months for cars to start making sense to us, especially when they're as unique as the 2018 Kia Stinger GT. Even then, the opinion formed is derived from a consensus from all editors, as we usually don't get to lock ourselves away with any particular car or truck for more than a couple of days. But our man Brent Romans had the Stinger to himself for a couple of weeks in October and came away with a new appreciation for the Kia. He also might have earned himself a sales commission, not that he'd take it.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
The Stinger saw a mix of driving environments in October, turning in single-tank fuel economy ranging from 16.4 to 24.4 mpg. Thankfully we managed to add more than 1,000 miles, a nice change from last month's piddling amount, but it came at the expense of overall mpg, as we only averaged 19.7 mpg for the month.

Average lifetime mpg: 20.1
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 29.1
Best range: 395.8 miles
Current odometer: 10,544 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Performance
"This thing will definitely rotate (or oversteer) if you give it some extra throttle while going around a turn. The stability control system will soon intervene and dial it all back. Still, I have to admit to being surprised (and subsequently chuckling) the first time it happened. This car might be a Kia, but it could just as well hail from Munich or Detroit."

"I like the Stinger's eight-speed automatic transmission. For normal driving, it shifts smoothly and works well to either maximize fuel economy or performance, depending on how I'm driving. Kia also provides manual-shift paddles on the steering wheel. The rev-matched manual downshifts are appropriately quick and smooth."

"Kia did a nice job making the Stinger's turbocharged V6 sound appealing. I don't think this is an engine configuration that normally lends itself to sonorous soundtracks in street cars, so all the more credit to Kia. The Stinger emits a pleasant growl when you mat the gas (especially when in Sport mode), and with it comes a nice burst of acceleration. If you enjoy listening to engines, you'll want the Stinger's V6 instead of the four-cylinder." — Brent Romans, senior editor, written content

Miscellaneous
"Here are five things I did recently in our Stinger: 1) Ran errands. 2) Went on a date night. 3) Took my kids to school. 4) Surprised a guy in a Corvette lined up next to me. 5) Blasted around a circular freeway on-ramp. Each time I grab the Stinger's keys, I look forward to driving it. I like the way it looks and the way it drives. It's fun, but also practical. It's a great all-around sport sedan."

"I met a friend for lunch a few days ago. While chomping down some fish tacos, he asked what kind of car I was driving. 'A Kia Stinger,' I said. 'A what?' he replied. 'A Stinger. It's Kia's new sport sedan,' I explained. He still had no idea. So I told him a bit more and then showed him our car after lunch. He was impressed and remarked, 'I've never seen one of these before.' He liked the styling and what I told him about the performance.

"Fast forward a few days. I saw my friend again, and he said he told his brother (who might be buying a new car soon) all about the Stinger. Well, Kia, I guess I'm happy to be your goodwill ambassador." — Brent Romans

Comfort
"No one will accuse the Stinger GT of having a sophisticated ride. It gets jittery on coarse pavement, and imperfections register sharply through the steering wheel and seats. It's the Achilles' heel of this car, which is otherwise a class act that I'd have no qualms about recommending to a discerning shopper." — Josh Sadlier, senior manager, content strategy

Interior
"Here's a little detail that speaks to Kia's effort on making the Stinger upscale: The rings surrounding the climate control temperature knobs light up. Turn up the temperature on one of the knobs (the system is dual-zone, so there are two of them), and its ring briefly glows red. Turn it down, and it glows blue. It's not a necessary thing by any means, but I think it's pretty neat." — Brent Romans

Monthly Update for November 2018

Where Did We Drive It?
November was another quiet month for our 2018 Kia Stinger, and I'm at a bit of a loss to explain why. Coffee talk says the car is generally well-liked, but I have a feeling that with many of us out of the office for various trips and fly-away holidays, the nouveau GT stayed silent. But we've started seeing them around Los Angeles, while battling the side effects of giant chrome bumpers and crossing our fingers that the build quality remains good.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
It's all too easy to dip into the Stinger's sweet, sweet power, but doing so easily drops fuel economy into the teens. And while we can be a frugal bunch, we also have moments of, shall we say, abandon. With one tank at 15.7 mpg and another just over 16, we didn't do our lifetime average any favors. Still, we managed a respectable 19.9 mpg over one of our tanks.

Average lifetime mpg: 20.1
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 29.1
Best range: 395.8 miles
Current odometer: 11,180 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
We received notification of an impending recall for some 2018 Kia Stingers.

"Wiring harness may be damaged by fender: The damaged wiring harness may short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Potential Number of Units Affected: 16011

Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Stinger vehicles. The front wiring harness located in the engine and passenger compartment may get damaged from contacting a burr on the left fender body panel.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness for damage. If no damage is found, a cover will be installed. If damage is found, the wiring harness will be repaired and a cover will be installed, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC170."

Logbook Highlights

Miscellaneous
"One thing I always look for when a new model debuts is whether it becomes a frequent sight on the streets of L.A. This is a fashion-forward town, so cars with style are embraced, whereas the awkward ones simply aren't seen in public. One of my favorite examples is the current C7 Corvette, which is a fairly common car out here. But the C6? Never saw one. Wasn't cool enough. Here's the thing about the Stinger GT: I see them around. In the photo below, I'm driving our Stinger up Pacific Coast Highway, and look what I'm following — a Stinger! I've seen them elsewhere, too. Parked in Santa Monica, speeding through Culver City. This car has the L.A. stamp of approval, and that's saying something." — Josh Sadlier, director, content strategy

Interior
"I love the Stinger, and getting back into it after a long hiatus only strengthened my affection. It's as good as I remember. But there's a creak coming from somewhere on the passenger side. I'm hoping it's something minor, maybe even just a loose piece of detritus that I couldn't find, because this car gives the impression of being really solidly built. Everything else about the Stinger is still fantastic, and there are no visible signs of the hard, test-car life ours has lived. But if I'd dropped a little more than $50K only to start hearing noises in the cabin within the first year of ownership, I'd be a little disappointed." — Will Kaufman, content strategist & news editor

Technology
"It seems that our Kia Stinger's dynamic cruise control has an issue with trucks that have chrome bumpers. I first noticed it while driving behind a Silverado with a chrome rear bumper. The set braking distance was inconsistently being observed; it only worked some of the time. Other times, it got too close for comfort and I applied the brakes myself, thus disengaging dynamic cruise.

"I had a hunch the chrome was throwing off the radar, so I set about with a controlled experiment: Drive behind other vehicles to see if the system worked properly, then find a vehicle with a chrome rear bumper and do the same. Sure enough, dynamic cruise worked properly with other vehicles. But when I found a GMC Sierra with a chrome bumper, and traffic started slowing to a crawl, dynamic cruise didn't slow the Stinger quickly enough and got too close for comfort.

"There are two things to learn here. One is to always be in control of your automobile. Even with all these driver 'aids,' you're the driver, so drive and be in control. Second is that all dynamic cruise technologies are not alike. Just because you have it doesn't mean it is going to function the same way as another." — Rex Tokeshi-Torres, vehicle testing technician

Monthly Update for December 2018

Where Did We Drive It?
Because of the usual end-of-the-year holiday season, our 2018 Kia Stinger was either going to see duty as a festive-looking shuttle for friends, family and presents or get stuck in one place and sit out the holiday season. Unfortunately, it was the latter and the Stinger accumulated only about 600 miles in December.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
The few fill-ups we recorded in December weren't enough to have any effect on our overall average or best range/mpg numbers. Maybe next month, right? Right?!

Average lifetime mpg: 20.1
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 29.1
Best range: 395.8 miles
Current odometer: 11,774 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Miscellaneous
"Here's a compliment for our long-term Kia that Hyundai won't like: I think the Stinger makes a lot more sense than the closely related, Hyundai-built Genesis G70 sport sedan. For one thing, Kia needed a brand-ambassador kind of vehicle that wasn't associated with giant hamsters. For another, the Stinger GT has a handy hatchback trunk, big power and a genuinely premium vibe — it's every bit a rival to the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

"But there's the rub. Hyundai didn't need two of these vehicles, especially with consumers increasingly turning their backs on conventional sedans like the G70. The Genesis brand should be rolling out a small luxury SUV right now, not a wannabe 3 Series. In any event, I'm glad the Stinger's here and rarely pass up a chance to drive it. If the market's going to kick one of these cousins off the island, I'm rooting for the Kia to stick around." — Josh Sadlier, director, content strategy

"This car has garnered more questions from casual car people than most any other car I've brought home. Its standout styling gets it mistaken for something German, and everyone feels the need to comment on how expensive it looks. Not that $50,000 is inexpensive, but most everyone thinks it costs more than $70,000. That's not a bad first impression to make." — Kurt Niebuhr, vehicle test editor

Monthly Update for January 2019

Where Did We Drive It?
If there's one thing that can take the shine off a great-handling, fun and immensely practical car like our 2018 Kia Stinger, it's squeaks, creaks and rattles (those are three things, Kurt — Ed.). Over time these things happen, of course, but our Stinger is getting a little too good at imitating a wood floor in an old house. This issue was first noted some months ago, but now it's become something that's impossible to miss. And the culprit looks to be the fancy panoramic sunroof.

But the car is still fast. That's got to count for something, right?

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
The Stinger got some much-needed highway mileage in January. And while that did give us a couple tanks over 24 mpg (24.27 mpg and 26.19 mpg, to be exact), it didn't do much to move the needle on our overall average. Still, three out of the five tanks we recorded over the month beat the combined rating; that's not too bad.

Average lifetime mpg: 20.1
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 29.1
Best range: 395.8 miles
Current odometer: 13,107 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
On December 20, 2018, Kia issued a recall for certain Stingers. Ours is affected, and we've made an appointment. Check back for next month's update for the follow-up. Below is the recall notice.

Manufacturer Recall Number SC170
NHTSA Recall Number 18V754
Recall Status Recall Incomplete
Summary
Kia Motors America has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2018 MY Kia Stinger vehicles manufactured from July 20, 2017, through June 8, 2018. The defect may cause damage to the front wiring harness, which can result in an electrical short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. The front wiring harness is located in the engine and passenger compartment of the vehicle. The harness can come in contact with a burr on a sheet metal hole on the left fender apron body panel. Such contact can damage the insulation of one or more wires and cause an electrical short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Safety Risk
If damage to the harness is detected, the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) may be illuminated, and/or the vehicle could be placed in a reduced power and acceleration mode referred to as Limp Home mode. In Limp Home mode, the vehicle can continue to be operated for a limited time to permit the vehicle to be driven to a safe location. However, the vehicle will have a reduced maximum speed, and it may accelerate very slowly or may not accelerate at all.

Remedy
Kia has advised its authorized dealers to inspect the front wiring harness for damage. If no damage is found, the dealer will install a plug/cover to the hole on the left fender apron panel. If damage is found, the front wiring harness will be replaced and a plug/cover will be installed to cover the hole on the left fender apron panel. The work will be performed at no cost to the customer.

Logbook Highlights

Performance
"Whee! Our Stinger GT's V6 continues to impress me with its strong midrange power. Boot the gas and this thing surges forth with authority. And just like a muscle car, it'll get a little squirrelly if you don't have the steering centered. Well, on our rear-wheel-drive Stinger GT, anyway. I imagine the all-wheel-drive version is better-behaved but less fun." — Brent Romans, senior editor

"A friend of mine owns a Chevrolet SS and asked how it compares to the Kia Stinger GT. The SS was Chevy's rear-drive V8-powered performance sedan sold from 2014 to 2017. We tested a manual-transmission SS in 2015, and it posted a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds and cleared the quarter-mile in 13.0 seconds. Our long-term Stinger isn't far off: 5.2 seconds for 0-60 mph and 13.4 for the quarter-mile. Skidpad: 0.94g for the SS and 0.89g for the Stinger.

"In our acceleration notes from that Stinger track test, we noted that 'the turbo V6 certainly feels powerful, but it takes a beat or two to gain steam from a stop.' That could explain the slightly slower acceleration times. In my experience, our Stinger delivers the same rush of speed as the SS used to do when blasting down highway entrance ramps and the like. The Stinger also has a nicer interior and more distinctive styling. But overall there are a lot of similarities. The SS was a fun performance sedan that was priced around $50,000. Same thing for the Stinger." — Brent Romans

Miscellaneous
"There are more creaks and groans coming from the Stinger than I'd like to hear from a car with just more than 12,000 miles on it. The majority of them seem to originate from the area surrounding the sunroof, but I also hear some from what sounds like the C-pillar [rear roof pillar]. They're most prominent over undulating surfaces. You don't notice them when the stereo is at a reasonable volume, but they're quite prevalent when you're listening to a podcast." — Carlos Lago, manager, feature content

"I'm always struck by just how cool the Stinger GT is when I get into it. It looks great, and the interior makes a strong first impression. And once you twist the drive-mode selector into Sport (a must in this car), it's champing at the bit at every stoplight. Unfortunately, the logbook continues to fill with complaints about creaks and rattles, which I remember calling out months ago, not long after the Stinger arrived. Hopefully, it's something Kia will correct going forward because I really dig this car otherwise." — Josh Sadlier, senior manager, content strategy

Comfort
"The more I drive this car, the more I find it disappointing for long-distance driving. Specifically, this relates to ride quality and cabin noise. As Josh wrote about in our August update, our Stinger doesn't do a great job of smoothing out cracks and seams in the pavement. So you might think: 'OK, the suspension is just firmly tuned, right?'

"Well, not necessarily. The Stinger can also be overly soft and floaty when driving over bigger undulations in the road, at least in the default Comfort drive mode. Plus, it's a little noisy inside the cabin when you're driving on concrete roadways. It's quieter on asphalt, thankfully. But here in California, a lot of our highways are made of concrete. The upshot of all this is that I'm pretty much ready to be done driving after just four hours or so. I still really enjoy our Stinger overall, but it's not the mile-eating grand touring sedan I thought it was going to be." — Brent Romans

Monthly Update for February 2019

Where Did We Drive It?
Our 2018 Kia Stinger GT got to do a bit of highway work in February. The Stinger is Kia's vision of a grand touring car. And while no one will say touring between Los Angeles and Fresno qualifies as "grand," it is more than 200 miles each way and gave us time to revisit some of our earlier musings about the Stinger's long-distance comfort.

Compliments from other drivers also keep coming the Kia's way, but maybe that's because no one's seeing them out on the road as often as they should.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
The aforementioned not-so-grand tours still resulted in an additional 1,500 miles getting rolled onto the Stinger's odometer. With those miles came six tanks of gas, with two of them exceeding 27 mpg. In fact, most of the tanks equaled or surpassed the EPA's combined rating of 25 mpg. Not bad.

Average lifetime mpg: 19.8
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 29.1
Best range: 395.8 miles
Current odometer: 14,907 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Performance
"On a recent road trip, I had to make a detour off the main highway due to a weather-related road closure. This alternate route took me off the super slab and onto nearly empty back roads that I had never been on before. While I wasn't thrilled with the additional time it was going to take me, this particular drive highlighted some of the Stinger's advantages.

"The suspension and steering were suitably sporty to drive at a quick pace. I also switched the drive mode to Sport and used the manual gear-shift paddles a lot. In many other cars or SUVs, this drive would have been boring. But in the Stinger, it was fun and a bit of an adventure." — Brent Romans

Interior
"Capacitive door handles (that unlock when you touch them) are becoming more common. Our Stinger 'wakes up' when you approach it, with the mirrors unfolding and lights coming on. But you have to push a button on the door handle to unlock it. I hadn't driven the Stinger for a while, and I found myself approaching the car, noticing it wake up, and then yanking the handle to no avail. The physical button is such a minor thing, but after driving a bunch of premium cars recently, it's ever so mildly disappointing to find the Stinger only getting halfway to premium. At least in this one specific area." — Will Kaufman, content strategist and news editor

Comfort
"I was planning on driving from Fresno, California, to San Diego this month and needed a set of wheels. I asked our fleet manager, Mike Schmidt, if there was something that needed some love. 'Take the Stinger,' he said. Hmm. Admittedly, I wasn't thrilled with the idea. Just last month, I wrote that I don't find our Stinger to be an ideal highway cruiser.

"I went back and read my commentary. It's still accurate. The ride quality can get a little choppy at times, and there's an elevated amount of road noise when driving on concrete. But maybe because I knew what to expect, I didn't mind driving the Stinger this time around. And here's something I didn't mention last month: The driver's seat is both comfortable and supportive, even after nearly a full day's drive." — Brent Romans

Miscellaneous
"OK, let's say you were going to buy a 2019 Kia Stinger. Which trim level would you get? I'd get the GT1. Much of our Stinger's fun-to-drive personality comes from its turbocharged V6 engine and rear-wheel drive, so the GT is my baseline.

"Base GT or upgrade? Based on my experience with our long-termer, I'd say the GT1 is the sweet spot. It has the Harman Kardon sound system, LED headlights and driver safety aids, among other upgrades. I could do without the GT2's upgrades. The MSRP for a 2019 Stinger GT1, including destination, is $46,295. And it's very likely you'd get it for less once a deal is made." — Brent Romans, senior editor

"The Stinger has been on sale for about a year now, but I still don't see too many of them on the road. I'm still getting compliments about our Kia Stinger's styling from my friends. The look is still fresh and distinctive." — Brent Romans

Monthly Update for March 2019

Where Did We Drive It?
Time flies. It's been a year since we introduced our 2018 Kia Stinger to the fleet, and you'd think by now we'd have everything ironed out with our red GT missile. But another long road trip gave us time to hypothesize about the inconsistency of the Kia's adaptive cruise control. Also, one of us struggled to understand the design of the Stinger's shift lever. It can't possibly be user error.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
We added slightly more than 1,000 miles to the Stinger in March, but it didn't make much of a dent in overall fuel economy. That said, beating the EPA's highway rating is doable, but it remains very easy to drop well below the city rating. Must be the twin turbos.

Average lifetime mpg: 19.8
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 29.1
Best range: 395.8 miles
Current odometer: 16,212 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Interior
"Kia did a nice job with the Stinger's nighttime interior illumination. The white lighting makes the controls easy to see, and the overall look is upscale when you're driving at night. The rheostat for the interior dimming adjusts both the gauge cluster and the touchscreen's backlight, which is a nice touch." — Brent Romans, senior editor, written content

Performance
"My frustration with the Stinger's shifter seems unending. I can't count how many times over the last week it kicked me into neutral when I tried to shift from reverse to drive. Once, I backed out of a parking space, futilely attempted to shift into drive four times, then cruised lamely back into my space in neutral. I power-cycled the car, tried again and finally got into drive. Yeah, there were stares.

"I still like the Stinger overall, but this is a stark reminder that no car is perfect. Well, except for a Rolls-Royce Phantom." — Cameron Rogers, reviews editor

Technology-Audio
"Here's some follow-up on a topic that's received mixed commentary: Our Stinger's adaptive cruise control system. Previously, I wrote that I thought that it reacted too quickly when the system detected a vehicle ahead. Then Cameron wrote that he thought it didn't react quickly enough. And back in November, Rex made an interesting observation, finding the system overly sensitive when behind trucks with chrome bumpers.

"I think the issue is this: On the freeway at cruising speeds, the system can act as I described. It's overly quick to apply the brakes, especially when there's a semitruck ahead of you. It's like the system gets a big reflection from the truck and assumes it's a lot closer than it really is. But in slow-moving, stop-and-go traffic, the system becomes as Cameron observed: slow to react to the car ahead.

"The upshot of all this? The adaptive cruise system would benefit from additional tuning and refinement." — Brent Romans

Monthly Update for April 2019

Where Did We Drive It?
Barring a last-minute reprieve, our time with the 2018 Kia Stinger is almost up. But that doesn't mean we're done piling on the miles (we added over 1,800 miles in April) or making a few more observations about one of the most unique cars on the road. Unbelievably, two members of our staff drove the Stinger for the first time while two others had differing opinions about how practical the cargo area was on the Kia.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
The Stinger did considerably less long-haul driving in April, and that had a predictably detrimental effect on its fuel economy. We averaged just over 18 mpg for the month, but that didn't have any real impact on our average lifetime mpg number.

Average lifetime mpg: 19.8
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 29.1
Best range: 395.8 miles
Current odometer: 18,176 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Interior
"Armrests with integrated cutout door pulls should be a thing! I've driven many cars that have a separate door pull near the door release lever. The trouble is, those door pulls are near the door hinge and don't offer much in the way of leverage. When you're trying to very carefully open a big heavy door, having the pull that far forward reduces your precision. The Stinger, on the other hand, has a cutout in the armrest toward the rear of the door, giving you tons of leverage to open and close the door with minimum energy and maximum precision." — Calvin Kim, vehicle test engineer

"Driving the Stinger on my typical bumpy commute through the thickest of Los Angeles traffic, I noticed a lot of creaking and groaning coming from the chassis. The car currently has about 19,000 miles on the odometer, and I was surprised to hear as much noise as a three-masted pirate ship in rough waters. The sounds seemed to originate mainly from the rear hatch area. And no matter how much jiggling or shoving I tried, I wasn't able to recreate the noises with the car parked." — Calvin Kim

Cargo Space
"The box on the left is a bumper for a certain Jeep Wrangler, and that black case on the left holds a Thunderbird bass guitar. And while most cars can hold the bass case with the seats folded down (almost none can hold it in the trunk with the seats up), I'm guessing there are exceptionally few that could hold the entire front bumper of a Wrangler no matter how you tried to make it fit. Thanks to the hatchback body style, both objects dropped right in and the hatch shut without any interference. Buy hatchbacks!" — Kurt Niebuhr, vehicle test editor

"We took the Stinger to Costco over the weekend for the monthly haul. We loaded it to the gills. The trunk offers 23.3 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and over 40 cubic feet with them folded. That space sounds large, but you actually run out of room pretty quickly with a big-box haul. The hatchback makes for a large and wide opening, so loading is easy. But you'd think there'd be more space available. The privacy panel limits load height (while maintaining rear visibility, it should be mentioned). The rear seats don't fold flat, but just flat enough to save you when the trunk is full. In the end, we were successful, but it was tight." — Carlos Lago, manager, feature content

Performance
"The car is super-nimble at lower speeds on the streets and great on the highway at maneuvering around other vehicles. There was no lag when I needed to push, and I felt confident to do what I needed to do. I wish the steering would match the sportiness of the engine, as I thought it felt super light for my tastes. All in all, a very fun, spunky drive!" — Amy Silliman, production manager

Wrap-Up

What We Got
Put out a high-performance sedan and our interest is piqued. Such a vehicle has got more horsepower and driving engagement than the average sedan, but with more doors than the average sport coupe. It's a simple formula, right? The 2018 Kia Stinger appeared to offer the best of both worlds, so we added one to our long-term fleet for a year.

We went with a well-equipped 2018 Kia Stinger GT2. The GT2 comes with the optional 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6, putting out 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque, a healthy amount for any sedan. Any Stinger with the GT specification also gets an adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes and launch control. The sticker price rang up to $50,150, about what you'd pay for a sport sedan from Audi, BMW or Mercedes. Could the Stinger compete?

Performance

"The Stinger GT doesn't launch very hard from a full stop, but nail the accelerator at speed and you'll be impressed by the thrust from the twin-turbo V6. Even with a car full of people, it's quick." — Cameron Rogers, reviews editor

"Fast. That's what this car is. Makes sense when you consider that the same turbocharged V6 quite capably powers the much-heavier Genesis G90. But yeah, the Stinger GT really moves out when you punch it. The rear end gets squirmy and BAM!, you're gone. Never mind what the numbers say. For sheer accelerative drama, this Kia might be the top dog in its class." — Josh Sadlier, director, content strategy

MPG

"The Stinger turned in 18.2 mpg in July, which is somewhat lower than its EPA city rating. You could blame it on the Stinger's willingness to play and our willingness to oblige. Its lifetime average is running nearly bang-on the EPA combined value." — Jason Kavanagh, senior vehicle test engineer

"Driving around L.A. doesn't do wonders for fuel economy. We proved that in August, as the Stinger returned just 18.6 mpg for the month. But we're still within spitting distance of the EPA combined rating. And we've seen that the powerful Kia is capable of surpassing its highway rating out on the open road." — Kurt Niebuhr, vehicle test editor

Comfort

"We know the Stinger is a lot of fun on a twisty road, but I rarely had a chance to cut loose in Idaho. Mostly I just cruised along. And you know what? I was fine with that. One of the great things about the Stinger is how different Sport mode feels from Comfort. Even better, in Comfort mode the Stinger calms down in a way that doesn't make it feel numb or flat. Its character in Comfort is just right for a road trip." — Will Kaufman, content strategist and news editor

"I haven't really opened the taps on our long-term Stinger yet. Mostly I've just had the opportunity to drive it to and from work. That means it's had to behave itself, and it totally has. This [Kia] is a perfectly serviceable and comfortable daily driver. Even over broken L.A. streets, I don't have any discomfort." — Travis Langness, reviews editor

Cargo Space

"We took the Stinger to Costco over the weekend for the monthly haul. We loaded it to the gills. The trunk offers 23.3 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and over 40 cubic feet with them folded. That space sounds large, but you actually run out of room pretty quickly with a big-box haul. The hatchback makes for a large and wide opening, so loading is easy. But you'd think there'd be more space available. The privacy panel limits load height (while maintaining rear visibility, it should be mentioned). The rear seats don't fold flat, but just flat enough to save you when the trunk is full. In the end, we were successful, but it was tight." — Carlos Lago, manager, feature content

Interior

"Kia did a nice job with the Stinger's nighttime interior illumination. The white lighting makes the controls easy to see, and the overall look is upscale when you're driving in the dark. The rheostat for the interior dimming adjusts both the gauge cluster and the touchscreen's backlight, which is a nice touch." — Brent Romans

"My wife's least favorite thing about the Stinger has got to be the forward visibility. We were driving through some of the most picturesque country in the U.S., and she was giving herself neck and back strain leaning forward to get a better view. The top border of the front windshield is pretty low, and if you're paying attention to it, it's actually kind of claustrophobic. Visibility, in general, isn't great (rear visibility is particularly bad), but it's the short windshield that's most problematic when you've got a pretty view." — Will Kaufman, senior editor, written content

Audio and Technology

"I like the infotainment system on our Kia Stinger, but the reach for the touchscreen feels a bit long for me. I'm someone who is often accused of sitting too close to the wheel, and yet I need to fully extend my arm to reach the right corner of the Stinger's display." — Ron Montoya, senior consumer advice editor

"Here's some follow-up on a topic that's received mixed commentary: our Stinger's adaptive cruise control system. Previously, I wrote that I thought that it reacted too quickly when the system detected a vehicle ahead. Then Cameron wrote that he thought it didn't react quickly enough. And back in November, Rex made an interesting observation, finding the system overly sensitive when following trucks with chrome bumpers.

"I think the issue is this: On the freeway at cruising speeds, the system can act as I described. It's overly quick to apply the brakes, especially when there's a semitruck ahead of you. It's like the system gets a big reflection from the truck and assumes it's a lot closer than it really is. But in slow-moving, stop-and-go traffic, the system becomes as Cameron observed: slow to react to the car ahead.

"The upshot of all this? The adaptive cruise system would benefit from additional tuning and refinement." — Brent Romans

Miscellaneous

"Here's a compliment for our long-term Kia that Hyundai won't like: I think the Stinger makes a lot more sense than the closely related, Hyundai-built Genesis G70 sport sedan. For one thing, Kia needed a brand ambassador kind of vehicle that wasn't associated with giant hamsters. For another, the Stinger GT has a handy hatchback trunk, big power and a genuinely premium vibe. It's every bit a rival to the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe." — Kurt Niebuhr

Maintenance & Repairs

Regular Maintenance:
The Stinger had just one service during our time with it. At 7,667 miles, we took it in for an oil and filter change, tire rotation, and a multipoint inspection that examined air filters, fluid levels and tire tread depth. The oil change and inspection cost us $87.56, and the tire rotation cost $25, for a total of $112.56.

Service Campaigns:
During its time in our fleet, the Stinger had one recall and our vehicle was affected. The recall addressed a front wiring harness that could come in contact with a piece of a front body panel, potentially damaging the insulation and causing an electrical short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Kia addressed the issue at no cost.

Fuel Economy and Resale Value

Observed Fuel Economy:
Despite its sporty nature, our Stinger beat its EPA-estimated fuel economy on a pretty regular basis. On road trips, it easily bested its EPA rating of 25 mpg on the highway, with multiple tanks above that line. With a bit more spirited driving in between, though, the Stinger's average fell to just under 20 mpg during its lifetime with us — a respectable showing for a car with a twin-turbo V6 and more than 300 horsepower, but still under the EPA city estimate.

Average lifetime mpg: 19.8
EPA mpg rating: 21 combined (19 city/25 highway)
Best fill mpg: 29.1
Best range: 395.8 miles
Current odometer: 18,275 miles

Resale and Depreciation:
Our Stinger was about as expensive as they come. The GT2, the one we got, is the top trim level, and the only option we left off the list was all-wheel drive. The final price of entry was $50,150, including destination. The Kia's True Market Value at year-end dropped by 26% to $36,946. Typical depreciation after a year in our long-term fleet is closer to 20%, so that's a bit higher than average but not entirely unheard of for a relatively niche car like the Stinger.

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Summing Up

Pros:
The Stinger is fast, entertaining and easy to drive daily. It's a great combination of performance and practicality, and it delivers on all the promises of a sporty sedan.

Cons:
Thanks to sporty styling, the Stinger's visibility isn't very good out of the front, and it's pretty bad out back. Rear-seat headroom suffers, too. The driver aids could also use a bit of work due to finicky responses from systems such as adaptive cruise control.

Bottom Line:
Living with the Kia Stinger for a year was no more difficult or taxing than driving one of its less sporty siblings, but it was more entertaining when we put our foot to the floor. If you want a bit of extra entertainment in your daily drive, put this one on your shopping list.

The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.