When it comes to large, luxury sedans that put an emphasis on driving pleasure, German automakers have cracked the code, constantly coming out with new vehicles that lead the sports sedan segment. Kia is trying to flip the segment on its head with the 2018 Stinger, which looks to take the fight to the established few with a sporty powertrain and luxurious features. The Stinger also happens to have an affordable price tag, making it one of the best performance bargains on the road today.
What's New for 2018
The Kia Stinger is an all-new model for 2018 that’s based on the GT Concept that debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.
Choosing your Kia Stinger
The Stinger has two available engine options for consumers to choose from: a twin-turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a twin-turbocharged V6 motor. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine puts out 255 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The larger 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine is more powerful with a rated output of 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and come with rear-wheel drive as standard, but all-wheel drive is available.
As a performance vehicle, the Stinger can be fitted with various sporty components, including: Brembo brakes, a limited-slip differential, dynamic torque vectoring control, electronically controlled suspension, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, and high-performance dampers. In addition to the performance parts, Kia tuned the Stinger’s chassis at the infamous Nurburgring in Germany, which is the ideal location for automakers looking to create something truly sporty.
Unlike some of its competition, the Stinger may look like a sedan, but the vehicle is a hatchback that offers consumers up to 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Thanks to the hatchback body style, the Stinger boasts up to 117.1 cubic feet of total interior space.
The Stinger is available in five trims:
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While the Stinger is a performance bargain, prices can quickly get out of hand and swell to proper luxury-car territory. Depending on your performance needs, we recommend going with either the Premium or GT trims. While pricey, the all-wheel-drive system gives the Stinger year-round capability and a more confidence-inspiring ride, especially in inclement weather. The Kia Drive Wise Package is also a worthy upgrade as it brings the latest safety features to the vehicle. Regardless of trim, the Stinger should inject some fun into your daily drive.
Starting with a sleek, bold design, the 2018 Kia Stinger offers a powerful and practical alternative to competitors at a bargain price. But track performance is only middling, while it lacks a manual transmission option and the pedigree of its German rivals.
Best Value
Pricing for the 2018 Stinger begins at $32,800 for the rear-wheel-drive 2.0L model, which is powered by a 255-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and climbs to $52,300 for the GT2 trim with all-wheel drive, which is equipped with a 365-hp, 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6.
The typical power features are present, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats (power driver's and passenger), a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, steering wheel paddle shifters, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a seven-inch touchscreen. Standard active safety features include a rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors.
Blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and driver attention warning are standard on the GT2 and optional on all other models.
We'd opt for the Stinger GT1 model, which adds a sunroof, LED headlights and taillights, 19-inch alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires, a launch control system, dynamic torque vectoring control, Brembo brakes, high-performance dampers, LED interior lighting, an eight-inch touchscreen with navigation, a Harman Kardon sound system, and a flat-bottom steering wheel. We'd also choose all-wheel for all-season driving, and toss in a number of optional safety features. Here's how we'd build it:
Model:2018 Kia Stinger GT1
Engine: 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6
Output:365 hp / 376 lb-ft
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Drivetrain:All-wheel drive
MPG:19 City / 25 Hwy
Options: All-wheel drive ($2,200), Kia Drive Wise Package ($2,000, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with lane change assist, driver attention warning, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing wipers)
Base Price:$44,150 (including the $900 destination charge)
Best Value Price:$48,350
Performance
A pair of engines are offered, with base models equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder generating 255 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the GT trims come equipped with a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 rated at 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. Both are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Prodigious power from the twin-turbo V6 along with a supremely quiet, comfortable ride and predictable handling are the hallmarks of Kia's Stinger. GT models also up the ante with standard Brembo brakes, adjustable dampers, and staggered 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires. While all-wheel drive is available, rear-drive models feature a standard mechanical limited slip differential for increased grip and performance. The steering is direct and handling is neutral, while the comfortable ride lends itself to long stretches of relaxed cruising and, on the street, the Stinger rotates willing through corners with the brakes providing strong stopping power.
But despite the hype from Kia, the GT isn't up to snuff on the track, where it weighs too much, the dampers aren't firm enough, and the tires surrender grip too easily so that the stability control is forced to intercede a bit too early – even in Sport mode.
The Stinger also lacks a manual transmission option and, although fine for a base engine, the 2.0-liter isn't nearly as strong as the V6, and falls short of turbo-fours from BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and even Chevrolet. Finally, even though the 2.0-liter four offers decent fuel economy, returning an EPA-estimated 22 miles per gallon city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 combined, GT FWD and AWD models lower those numbers to 19/25/21 mpg (city/highway/combined) – with both engines requiring premium fuel.
Style
The Stinger telegraphs its sporty intentions with a bold, aggressive, and attractive design headlined by its long, chiseled hood, steeply raked windshield, chromed gills, short overhangs, plethora of ducts and spoilers, athletic rear haunches, and sloping profile. Those various bits, along with wheel air curtains, a belly pan, rear diffuser, and ducktail spoiler help the Stinger slip through the air with 0.30 coefficient of drag.
The slippery sheetmetal is wrapped around a class-above interior combining sportiness and practicality, with leather upholstery (Nappa on GTs), soft-touch surfaces, large gauges ringed in metal, and a central tablet-sized touchscreen capable of displaying everything from infotainment to cornering G-forces. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, while the rear seats offer enough room for six-footers to sit behind six-footers. In addition, the hatchback body's versatility offers up 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats that expands to 40.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
But all is not perfect, as the cabin's shortcomings lie with a smattering of cheap plastic trim pieces and tight rear head room. Passengers over six feet may have to slouch back there in order to avoid contact with the roof. And while it was not always present, driving over rough pavement occasionally caused a creaking noise around the rear hatch area.
The Best and Worst Things
We're attracted to the Stinger's sleek design, class-above cabin, and overall value proposition, but are turned off by its mediocre on-track performance.
Right For? Wrong For?
Style-conscious buyers will appreciate the bold, aggressive design and richly-detailed interiors offered by the entire Stinger lineup.
Its lackluster on-track manners, however, could prove to be a turn off for hardcore enthusiasts.
The Bottom Line
Although it lacks the pedigree of rivals and disappoints with ordinary track manners and no manual transmission option, the 2018 Kia Stinger's value proposition, along with a sleek design, good on-road handling, and beautifully-trimmed interior, make it a top pick in its class.
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Specs & Features
Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
2.0L I-4 / 255 HP / 260 ft.lbs.
Transmission
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
8-spd Sportmatic w/OD
Drive Type
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
22 / 29 / 25 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 255 HP / 260 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
22 / 29 / 25 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Aluminum
Fuel Tank
15.9 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$61
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
40.9 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
94 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
190.2 "
Exterior Width
73.6 "
Exterior Height
55.1 "
Front Headroom
38.3 "
Rear Headroom
37.0 "
Front Legroom
42.6 "
Rear Legroom
36.4 "
Front Shoulder Room
56.4 "
Rear Shoulder Room
54.8 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,611 Lbs.
Wheel Base
114 "
Turning Radius
18.3 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Painted Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote W/tilt Down Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored With Black Insert
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Leather
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback