2018 Kia Stinger Review
2018 Kia Stinger Review





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Edmunds' Expert Review

byMark Takahashi
Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
Pros
- Sporty and graceful appearance stands out
- Entertaining levels of performance
- Refined interior with hatchback utility
- Generous warranty coverage
Cons
- Limited space for rear-seat passengers
- Ride quality can get a little jittery at times
What’s new
The 2018 Kia Stinger is an all-new model.
Vehicle overview
As stylish as the latest Kias have become, they typically haven't had the performance and handling to match. That all changes with the all-new Kia Stinger.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Kia Stinger GT2 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.96 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$240/mo
Stinger GT2
vs
$173/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
The Stinger represents a significant step forward for the South Korean manufacturer. Its aggressive yet graceful design stands out among the relatively anonymous sedans with similar pricing. Even better, the Stinger performs on a level that is well above our expectations for its modest price. It's about the same size as Kia's Optima sedan but is lower, sleeker and more powerful. In the top-spec GT trim, the Stinger boasts 365 horsepower, available all-wheel drive, and a refined and comfortable interior.
Whether it's by numbers or appearance, Kia's Stinger impressively challenges similar luxury-branded vehicles. Yet there are still going to be some traditional Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz shoppers who won't bother with the Stinger because it lacks enough prestige. That's their loss. The Stinger isn't just good for a Kia — it's good compared to anything at or well above its price.
Notably, we picked the 2018 Kia Stinger as one of Edmunds' Best AWD Sedans, and the 2018 Kia Stinger GT as one of the Best Sport Sedans for 2018.
What's it like to live with?
Want to know even more about the Kia Stinger? Check out our editorial experts' long-term test of a Kia Stinger GT2. How was the interior and visibility from inside this fastback sedan? Was the cargo room big enough for road trips? How was our Stinger GT test car's reliability? Learn this and more from our yearlong, 20,000-mile test.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
8.2 / 10Even though the all-new 2018 Kia Stinger lacks the brand prestige of some German luxury sedans, we think it's worthy of your attention. It drives surprisingly well and delivers an optimal blend of performance, comfort and refinement.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our First Drive of the 2018 Kia Stinger GT2 Sedan (turbo 3.3L V6 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).
Scorecard
Overall | 8.2 / 10 |
Driving | 8.5 |
Comfort | 8.0 |
Interior | 7.0 |
Utility | 8.5 |
Technology | 8.5 |
Driving
8.5The Stinger GT has performance chops to back up its striking looks. Acceleration is strong at any speed, and the engine is well-behaved when you aren't hammering the pedal. Handling and steering are great at this price point. Paddle shifters won't keep the transmission in manual mode indefinitely.
Acceleration
8.5The 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. We posted a 0-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds, slightly slower than performance-minded luxury sport sedans.
Braking
8.5The brakes activate high in the pedal stroke, but braking force is gradual and isn't grabby, which makes them easy to modulate in traffic. In performance driving, you'll have to hit the pedal harder than you think to slow the Stinger quickly, but the sticky summer tires perform exceptionally well.
Steering
8.5The steering effort is moderate, in contrast with the too-light feeling in other Kias, and does not increase appreciably in the Sport mode. The Stinger responds the moment you start moving the wheel, but it never feels darty, which is welcome and appropriate for a sporty sedan.
Handling
8.0This 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, especially when you reduce the amount of stability control intervention.
Drivability
8.0The engine exhibits predictable acceleration in the standard Comfort driving mode. Eco mode dulls acceleration with light to moderate pedal application, while Sport makes the Stinger feel a bit more energetic. Sport also introduces harsher shifts to the otherwise smooth-shifting transmission.
Comfort
8.0The sport seats keep you in place and have many adjustments but aren't comfortable for everyone. The ride is amicable, even in Sport mode, and exterior noise is filtered out. Heated front seats are standard (as is a heated steering wheel on AWD models), but heated rear seats aren't available at all.
Seat comfort
7.0The front seats are supportive and offer multiple adjustments, including the side bolsters, but the padding might feel overly firm for some. The seat bottom is also on the narrow side, which will have most pressing against the thigh bolsters. Rear seats are also stiff and the bench is pretty flat.
Ride comfort
8.5The Stinger's ride is indeed pleasant in the standard Comfort driving mode, thanks to adaptive dampers (standard on all GT models) that smooth out road imperfections. Road undulations are the car's only weak point, causing some floatiness. The ride is firmer, but still livable, in Sport mode.
Noise & vibration
8.5The thrum of the engine is always present, but you won't notice it much during light-throttle conditions. Dig into the pedal or put it into Sport mode and augmented engine noise filters into the cabin. It sounds good but not addictive. Road noise is mostly quiet; wind noise is nearly nonexistent.
Climate control
8.0Dual-zone climate control is in the front, with a separate temp dial for the rear vents. Normally, the climate system keeps the cabin appropriately warm/cool, though the engine stop-start system significantly reduces fan speed when the engine is off, which could make the cabin momentarily unpleasant.
Interior
7.0The Stinger isn't a small car, but it feels tight inside. Rear passengers have the toughest time, with a low roof and limited toe room. Rear visibility is not as good as in other midsize sedans. The driver has it the best, with an excellent seating position and ergonomic control layout.
Ease of use
8.0The driver's armrests are just the right height so you can rest your elbows while holding the wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock. Buttons are clearly labeled and easy to understand. The touchscreen is a bit of a reach, almost as if Kia planned to use a dial controller and changed its mind at the last minute.
Getting in/getting out
7.0The deep-set pedal and wide door sill can make for an awkward exit for tall drivers or those with limited flexibility. The rear sloping roofline means most passengers will have to duck to get into the back. The doors are light and easy to open.
Driving position
9.5The seats in the GT2 trim are more configurable than those in other trims, with adjustable side bolsters and thigh extension. A wide range of vertical and horizontal range ensures that drivers of all sizes can find an agreeable position. The steering wheel has lots of tilt-and-telescoping range.
Roominess
7.0There's a good sense of space up front, with plenty of legroom and a wide center armrest. Tall drivers might brush against the headliner, especially since a sunroof comes standard on all but the base Stinger. There's less headroom in the back due to the sloping roofline. Rear legroom is just OK.
Visibility
6.5The narrow front pillars promote decent forward visibility, but the high hood and low-slung seating position can make it difficult to place the front of the car. The upward sloping beltline toward the rear and the large rear pillar compromise the three-quarter view.
Quality
8.5Some buttons are shared with other vehicles in Kia's lineup, but some of this trim is unique. There are faux leather coverings on the doors, and the aluminum-looking trim on the doors and dash looks good. The armrest pads are a little hard, but it's difficult not to be impressed by this Kia.
Utility
8.5There's more space in the Stinger's cargo area than any like-minded sedans, though it's smaller in size than the Buick Regal Sportback and the BMW 3 Series GT. The rear seats don't quite drop flat, but the high pivot point means you won't have to move the front seats forward to fold them.
Small-item storage
8.5There are two decent-size cupholders in front, along with a small tray below the center stack and a shallow, wide bin under the armrest. The door pockets are smaller in back, but the armrest's cupholders are just as accommodating as those in the front. You also get nets behind each front seat.
Cargo space
8.5As a hatchback, the Stinger offers greater cargo flexibility than a comparable sedan. The cargo area is wide and rectangular, with small pockets behind the rear wheels. The GT2 also comes with a hands-free hatch; simply stand behind the bumper for a few seconds. The rear seats don't quite fold flat.
Child safety seat accommodation
7.5Four LATCH anchors are hidden behind covers that fold as you press down on them. The anchors themselves are inset pretty far from the front of the covers. The tethers are located about halfway down the seatback. You'll have to move the cargo cover to reach the tether points.
Technology
8.5The Stinger is brimming with tech, starting with a sharp touchscreen and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. A suite of the latest driving aids is available, and it doesn't cost too much on trims where it isn't standard. Destination input strangely doesn't use predictive text.
Audio & navigation
8.5Most models come with a 15-speaker Harman Kardon audio system that, for the most part, sounds darn good. No trim, window or speaker rattles when turning the bass and volume all the way up. Good volume output with radio and most connected media, though Spotify was surprisingly restrained.
Smartphone integration
8.0There are two USB ports below the center stack: one for data and one charge-only. There's another charge-only port behind the console for rear passengers. The system should be able to play audio files from a USB drive, but it didn't work on our tester. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
Driver aids
8.5A rearview camera and front/rear parking sensors are standard. All additional driving aids (blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, etc.) are included in the comprehensive and reasonably priced Kia Drive Wise package. It can be ordered on any trim except the GT2, where it's standard.
Voice control
7.5Although the system prompts you to use a set menu of voice commands, it also has limited natural speech detection. It can navigate to general locations (the nearest coffee shop or Starbucks, for example) but doesn't understand specific POIs (e.g., Disneyland).
Which Stinger does Edmunds recommend?
The 2018 Kia Stinger is at its best when it has the performance to back up its sporty appearance. As such, we recommend the more potent GT with its V6 engine. Stick with the classic rear-wheel-drive powertrain unless you live in a region with frequent bad weather. The standard Stinger GT has enough additional features to skip the GT1 and GT2 upgrades. We like that all of the advanced safety features are available throughout the lineup.
2018 Kia Stinger models
The 2018 Kia Stinger is a four-door sedan with a fastback-like hatch that is available in five trim levels. The base rear-wheel-drive Stinger is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (255 horsepower, 260 pound-feet of torque) and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on all models as an option.
Standard features for the base Stinger include 18-inch wheels, automatic headlights, LED running lights, heated and power-folding mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, selectable drive modes, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, 60/40-split folding rear seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a rearview camera, a 7-inch touchscreen, three USB ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay-Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system with satellite radio. All-wheel-drive models also include a heated steering wheel.
The Premium trim adds LED headlights, a sunroof, a power-adjustable steering wheel, a larger driver information display, a universal garage door opener, driver memory functions, an 8-inch touchscreen and a 15-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
The Kia Stinger GT employs a turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 (365 hp, 376 lb-ft). Feature content is similar to the base Stinger but upgrades to 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, adaptive suspension dampers, a launch control system, variable steering ratios, a few exterior embellishments, aluminum pedals and scuff plates, a flat-bottom steering wheel and a nine-speaker audio system.
The GT1 trim adds the Premium features along with auto-dimming exterior mirrors and additional performance meters. At the top of the lineup is the GT2 trim that finishes it off with a limited-slip differential, a hands-free trunklid, a head-up display, premium leather upholstery, and upgraded front seats with ventilation. Automatic wipers are also available as an option for all Stingers.
The GT2 also comes with these advanced safety features that are optional on supporting trims: adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and intervention, a driver attention monitor, automatic high-beams, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 Kia Stinger.
5 star(76%)
4 star(17%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(3%)
59 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Thrilled with this car!
nystrokedoc, 06/08/2018
2018 Kia Stinger GT1 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
I will focus on the only negatives I can find --- the dealer experience is sub par. They "lost" the 2nd key fob. A replacement is "being sent from Korea" but this was just unacceptable. Also, the check out process was a hours long wait. Emails to my salesperson (which were answered asap before I bought the car) seemed to take lower priority after I drove out of the lot. It is too … bad that Kia made a car comparable to luxury vehicles (even the Porsche Panamera), but cannot deliver the dealer experience. I own an Optima (which has been an excellent car), but dread the idea of going to the dealer for maintenance, because they are just too rough around the edges. That said, the Stinger itself lives up to the hype and more. It is has amazing acceleration, handling, breaking and comfort. I get lots of admirers, with thumbs up signs from random passers by..... A couple of minor things.....Kia might consider a redesign of the Video screen which sticks up a bit awkwardly in the upper middle console. It still need to work on changing the display to emphasize the clock and radio station functions and not the GPS, but these are minor quibbles. I am also VERY happy with the Driver Assist package (which was loaded on the model I bought off the lot) and would have been something I might have skipped to save $. The blind spot detection and lane departure warnings can be customized to provide just enough sensitivity to assure protection, without annoying constant beeping for minor normal safe driving lane departures/changes. Also, I have been driving on Econ mode while sitting in traffic, and I'm fairly certain that it has enhanced my gas mileage.
5 out of 5 stars
Great Sport sedan and GT car. KIA Quattroporte.
Ramesh, 01/29/2018
2018 Kia Stinger GT2 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
Before anybody buys this car, they should know that, this is not a sports car, this is a sports sedan. This is not a luxury / premium car, this is a sports sedan. This is not a status defining car, this is just a sports sedan. And, Stinger does this job impeccably. When you shop for 50K car, you sure would have researched or test driven, audi, BMW, Merc or lexus. But you have to decide … can you pass the above luxury brand dealers, and go to Kia dealer to buy this car. I did, and glad I did it. It has gorgeous looks.. Believe me, every day (yes, every day), people, either on traffic signals or in gas station or in parking lot, have asked me about this car and complemented a lot. It has Maserati look. Drive is amazing. For me, after test driving, S5, BMW 440Xi and C43 AMG, there was something in this car, I fell in love with. It is for sure, at least (if not more) 15K less than similarly equipped above brands. They have great materials in and out overall, even though there is some lack of achieving the level of above premium brands. I cannot write how much I like about this car, as it may take a lot of space. I can write little about what I don't like in it (very few, if any). I don't like the KIA label (I have always owned BMWs), fuel economy (but for this level of performance, it is acceptable) and major one being, the interior noise which can be refined a bit (I think this is common to all sports sedans like S5, AMGC43 and BMW 440Xi with M sport).
5 out of 5 stars
GT-R done
DJ, 01/13/2018
2018 Kia Stinger GT2 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
The overall design of this car is thoughtful, yet stunning and atheletic at the same time. The vevicle performs well on all road surfaces. ( I will say that the GT2 has 19" tires that roughen the ride, but find acceptable in lieu of performance) The car handles well and provides amazing accelleration even if cruising speed has been acheived, steering is responsive and the car hold the … roads well. The exterior lines are awesome with few flaws. (One noticeable is the wind dams that cool the breaks accumulate sand and small rocks due to winter snow maintenace. The interior is comfortable as the front seats provided 18 adjustments. The side bolsters hug your sides. The heated seats and steering wheel work well. The cabon layout is good and controls are placed logically , with the exception of the 8" touch screen (slightly out of arms reach) and the volume control is placed low and without looking I find myself operating the passenger vent. The interior materials seem of good quality with some hard plastics. (Which should be expected at this price point. I personally feel that KIA is going in the right direction, but probably should have created an up line badging due to badge bius of shoppers. Or perhaps the manufacturer is looking to take an I told you so approach, in order to dispel past negativity of their brand overall. This is my second KIA and hope that the reliability measures up to my first one which was 80k miles with no issues at all. Unfortunately the seats are wearing out after 1 year
5 out of 5 stars
Impressive first sports sedan for Kia
Rob Weaver, 08/30/2018
2018 Kia Stinger GT2 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
Ever since this car was revealed, my interest was piqued. I previously had a WRX, and wanted a car that had a better interior, features, and more space, without sacrificing much performance and the fun to drive factor. The Stringer GT2 looks like it fit the bill. Pros - The best feature of this car is what you get for your money. The MSRP is $10-15k less than comparable Audi's and … BMWs and currently the dealers seem to be giving pretty decent discounts (I got $8500 off the MSRP). The engine makes this 4000 lbs car a true rocket. It is fast off the line, but the most surprising power is when you are moving at 30-40 MPH and you put your foot down. You quickly will be rocketing toward "arrest me" speeds. The gearbox is responsive and shifts quickly. The suite of driving features leaves little want for more, especially at this price point. The interior is nicely put together with actual button controls, which is a large plus for me. The seats are very adjustable, comfortable, and low (once again, that is a plus for me). I mostly use Android Auto, and that integration is done well. The sound system is very good for a stock system. For the exterior, I find the car to be one of the most handsome on the road. It is long, low, and wide, with an aggressive appearance without being, for a lack of a better term, "Type R"ish. The lines flow to a wonderful hatch shape. The 5 year standard/10 year powertrain warranty reassures me a lot since this is a new design. Cons - Gas mileage is pretty disappointing, but somewhat expected for the weight and power of the engine. I average about 18 MPG mostly commuting to work in the inner suburbs while trying not to drive too much like a goon. No manual transmission is available for those of us who enjoy rowing our own gears. The adjustable suspension can get a little floaty around corners, even in sport mode. I wish they built in a sport+ mode that firmed up the sport mode a little more. The leather seats are prone to getting depressions if you rest something heavy on them (like seat belt imprints if you fold down the rear seats). The exterior has a few silly non-functional fake vents. I worry a bit about the resale value of the car, but I plan on keeping it for awhile to take advantage of the warranty. Conclusion - Kia built themselves a really good value GT car that has most of the features and driving experience of the more expensive luxury brands at a much lower price point. You could get roughly the same features or a more powerful engine at the same price of the Stinger from an Audi 5 series Sportback or a BMW 4 series Granturismo, but you would spend a lot more if you wanted both. If you are not a badge snob, this car should be on your short list if you wanted a powerful GT car with a lot of space and good features.
2018 Kia Stinger videos
[MUSIC PLAYING] CARLOS LAGO: When you think of the brand Kia, your mind probably wanders to the idea of fuel efficient hatchbacks and value priced SUVs. But what if I told you they made an attractive rear drive and also fun to drive near premium sedan called the Stinger? It's that guy right there. [MUSIC PLAYING] Under the hood in front of us is 365 horsepower courtesy of a twin turbo V6, which goes through an automatic transmission to the rear wheels. You can get this car with all-wheel drive. But the one that we're driving right now only drives through the rear tires. And that should create some performance benefits when under handling, but we'll see how well it does putting that power to the ground in this acceleration test. Now the first thing we do in this situation is just turn the car on, let it warm up, leave it in the comfort settings, and mash the gas and see what kind of acceleration we're going to get. And that's what we'll do now. Three, two, one. Good acceleration once the turbos get on boost. Pulls good, and the high RPM's at high speed. [MUSIC PLAYING] That's solid performance for just the key-up settings without having to launch the vehicle at all. When you roll onto the gas pedal, there's a little bit of a delay as the turbochargers start getting boost. It's a hot day out too, so that's going to affect acceleration somewhat. Now this is not a straight up sports car, it's more of a sporty sedan. But it still feels good when you get on the gas pedal, especially once you're at speed. OK for run number two, I'm going to put the drive mode in sport. I'm going to hold this stability control button until it gets turned off completely. There we go. Then I'm going to hold the brake with my left foot, roll onto the gas with my right, let the engine speed build up, and then release the brake, and see if that can help improve acceleration. Let's go ahead and do that. Got launch control or something like that, I saw a display on the dash. [ENGINE ACCELERATION] And that does improve acceleration by a good amount to 60. [ENGINE ACCELERATION] And a fair amount to the quarter mile too, cut a couple of tenths off. It didn't really feel like traditional launch control. I just felt like I was just on the brake, and mashing the gas, and automatic transmission. But there was an improvement in acceleration. My number three, I'm going to leave it in sport mode and I'm going to stay on the gas a little bit longer while holding the brake. And see if that helps get us out of the hole quicker. Let's do that. It only lets it go to about 20 to 50 RPM, no more than that. And what's interesting, too, is I'm not hearing any wheel spin, no tires squealing. So I don't know if all wheel drive is going to help this thing and go faster in a straight line. [ENGINE ACCELERATION] A hundredth faster in the quarter mile there. So not a dramatic improvement, that could be rounding. [MUSIC PLAYING] The center point of this vehicle has to be this twin turbo 365 horsepower v-6. That's the first thing you notice when you hop inside and when you get on it, because it really packs a lot of power. [ENGINE ACCELERATION] More than that 365 horsepower figure might lead you to believe. And I think it's the way the power is delivered. It comes in so broadly from this turbocharged engine, and smoothly, too. And that really works well, because this is a big sedan. It still weighs 4,000 pounds, even in the rear wheel drive variant we have right here. And that power just needs to be able to motivate something of this size and of this mass around. And it does that, and it does it very well. When you get this thing on a freeway, when you lay into the gas pedal, it's going to feel as big and as powerful as you would hope a sporty style sedan would. The transmission does its job. There's a little bit of delay from the shift pedals, but that's something I never really get too worked up against, because this is not something I'm going to be chasing lap times with. This is something I'm going to be chasing a enjoyable experience while driving. This delivers that pretty well. We're on a pretty sticky Michelin tire, a Pilot Sport 4 on this test car. You can hear them protesting from the front as I push in a little bit too hard. And that seems to be the default handling characteristics from this vehicle. And it works out well. Now, listen, you can provoke slides. You have the power to do it. You have a limited slip with the v6 engine. And they're very controllable, easy to drive-through, because you have such quick steering, because you have a longer wheel base. It's something that's genuinely fun to throw around. That said, the stability control does come in pretty harshly and pretty quickly in its default setting. So I recommend putting the traction mode off or turning it off completely if you know what you're doing. Don't do that just willy-nilly, be safe. It's going to auto upshift even in the manual setting. I guess that's OK, because then I don't have to worry about trying to guess when it shifts or not. Now one area that this car has been faltering a little bit, on this test day specifically, is the braking. The numbers are good and the initial performance is good. But sustain hard braking is something that we've seen a little bit of degradation from. Not the end of the world, we've seen far worse on some sporting cars. Again, there's a little bit of that stability control intervention, which isn't too bad, I've got to admit. Into that corner too fast, wrong wind, you get some understeer. The handling on this is approachable, it is fun. It's a nice balance. Though, when you start pushing really, really, hard, you lack some of the more sophisticated elements you might find out of similarly priced sports cars. Sports sedans are few and far between at this price, but the sports cars at this price level give you a little bit more refined handling. The rear on this, when you're really on it, it has a little more movement there than you'd expect. The heave and hunch of the rear comes up a little bit short. The lateral stability comes away really nicely and progressively. The important thing about a sporty car is that it still gives you that sensation of sportiness, how nimble it makes the car feel when you're not in the right gear, when you're out of the power band. Do you still feel like you're in something special? And I've got to say from the response of the wheel, it does feel like that. And that's a nice feat. This thing has a lot going for it. It drives close to the way it looks, especially when you have the big power that this thing does. All in all, I'm a fan. [MUSIC PLAYING] Let's take a look at the interior of this thing. At first glance, it's a pretty impressive look. You have a really good initial sensation or feel for when you sit in this interior. And that's because this is the fully loaded highest option version of the car you can get. And that's why it costs close to $50,000. The quality of the materials is generally very strong, and that's what helps give the sort of refined appearance that you'd expect of a car that costs this much. I like the trim around the dash right here, although the design of the vents looks suspiciously familiar to what you might see in a Mercedes Benz. Still though, if you're going to borrow some ideas, you might as well borrow from really strong ones, right? Now the brightwork on the center console here and some of the trims around the rest of the car looks really good. It's not too flashy, it doesn't reflect the sun too much. But it provides a nice contrast with the amount of black that you see in this interior. Let's fire the car up. [ENGINE START] And it doesn't make too much drama when you turn on. It's a pretty subdued response. And that kind of meshes with the sort of near premium sportiness feeling this car is attempting to deliver. And I think it does it quite well. Overall, the interior is straight forward and close to what I might call elegant, maybe. I like the switches down here that control the heated and ventilated seats, the diode that controls the drive mode. It's really easy and feels good to switch back and forth. You can also customize how you want your sport drive mode to behave. And that's a, you know, nice thing I've got the active engine sound set to enhanced. It's how I like to drive. Now in front of us, we have a traditional gauge cluster, two analog gauges on the sides. In the middle, there's a digital display that can show you different information like your speedometer. And above that, we have a head up display that can relay some safety information navigation prompts, too. Generally, this interior is very strong, very nice looking. There's a couple of warts. The one that sticks out most prominently to me is the material they use in the center of the steering wheel. It stands out, because it just doesn't look as nice as everything else. And I wish that you had a different material or a higher quality looking material right here. This is a sedan, so we have to talk about backseats. The design of this car uses a roof line that slopes pretty aggressively. And that's what helps it look the way it does. It gives it that sporty, you know, high class look. And that means headroom is a little bit tight in the rear if you sit straight up. If you slouch, it should be fine for average height adults and for kids, no problem. I'd also say this touch screen right here takes a little bit of a reach to get to, and that's, you know, something you notice when you have your phone plugged in, and you're using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But the fact that you get those is really nice. And I'd much rather have that and a touch screen than have to use a rotary dial here to maneuver through those systems. But overall, I think generally anybody who buys this car is going to feel very happy with the way this looks and feels and operates. [MUSIC PLAYING] For the first outing with a car like this, Kia has built something pretty special with a powerful engine, a fun to drive chassis, and a nice approach to luxury in the interior as well. We're sure anybody who's looking for a family sedan is going to really enjoy driving this thing. If you like what you see, keep it tuned right here. And be sure to visit edmunds.com. [MUSIC PLAYING]
2018 Kia Stinger GT Review
Edmunds Senior Writer Carlos Lago tests and reviews the 2018 Kia Stinger GT. The Stinger is a large, near-premium and performance-oriented sedan, and that makes it a big step for Kia. With a powerful turbocharged V6 and sporty handling, it has enticing ingredients. But how does it all… come together? We'll find out by exploring how it drives at the Edmunds test track and by taking a close look at the interior.
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $31,900
- MPG & Fuel
- 22 City / 29 Hwy / 25 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 15.9 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: rear wheel drive
- Transmission: 8-speed shiftable automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 255 hp @ 6,200 rpm
- Torque: 260 lb-ft @ 1,400 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 5 yr./ 60,000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 190.2 in. / Height: 55.1 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 73.6 in.
- Curb Weight: 3,611 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 23.3 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts like the Stinger models:
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assistance
- Warns if a front impact is imminent and will apply 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.
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More about the 2018 Kia Stinger
Used 2018 Kia Stinger Overview
The Used 2018 Kia Stinger is offered in the following submodels: Stinger Sedan. Available styles include GT2 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A), Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), GT1 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A), GT2 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A), Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), GT 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A), GT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A), GT1 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A), and 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Pre-owned Kia Stinger models are available with a 3.3 L-liter gas engine or a 2.0 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 365 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2018 Kia Stinger comes with all wheel drive, and rear wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 8-speed shiftable automatic.
What's a good price on a Used 2018 Kia Stinger?
Price comparisons for Used 2018 Kia Stinger trim styles:
- The Used 2018 Kia Stinger GT2 is priced between $30,999 and$38,998 with odometer readings between 19869 and57087 miles.
- The Used 2018 Kia Stinger GT1 is priced between $30,940 and$37,590 with odometer readings between 17600 and69989 miles.
- The Used 2018 Kia Stinger Premium is priced between $19,969 and$31,990 with odometer readings between 14398 and110192 miles.
- The Used 2018 Kia Stinger GT is priced between $30,998 and$34,999 with odometer readings between 15704 and53385 miles.
- The Used 2018 Kia Stinger Base is priced between $26,590 and$26,590 with odometer readings between 27029 and27029 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2018 Kia Stingers are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 Kia Stinger for sale near. There are currently 31 used and CPO 2018 Stingers listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $19,969 and mileage as low as 14398 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2018 Kia Stinger.
Can't find a used 2018 Kia Stingers you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a used Kia Stinger for sale.
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Find a used certified pre-owned Kia Stinger for sale.
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Should I lease or buy a 2018 Kia Stinger?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Kia lease specials
Check out Kia Stinger lease specials
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