How Good Is the Kia Stinger? The Kia Stinger is an excellent vehicle, yes. It dazzles with two top-notch engine choices: There is a twin-turbocharged V6 engine that is even more potent than the normal power plant, which has 300 horsepower, which is more than practically every other base engine in the premium small vehicle class.
In This Article...
Kia Stingers: How are sales going?
The Kia Stinger hasn’t been a high-volume vehicle since its debut. The Stinger had its finest year in 2018, selling 16,806 copies. Kia sold 75,129 Telluride SUVs in 2020 as a point of comparison. Kia sold 11,651 Stingers until the third quarter of 2021.
Do Kia Stingers experience issues?
Many Kia Stinger owners have experienced electrical system problems in the past.
These were brought on by damage to the front wire harness, which might have resulted in short-circuiting and fires.
You may check to see if the vehicle you drive or are considering purchasing is included in the recall, which took place in late 2018. If it happens, the recall entitles you to a free replacement wiring harness.
What makes the Kia Stinger so unique?
Two distinct turbocharged engines are offered for the 2022 Stinger: a new 300-hp 2.5-liter turbo-four and a 368-hp twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6. Although we haven’t tested the new engine, the V-6’s thrilling performance has our enthusiast hearts racing. The eight-speed automatic transmission that is paired with both engines, in our experience, produces rapid shifts and is unobtrusive when left to shift on its own. However, we wish the paddle shifters responded to driver inputs more quickly. Still, the V-6-powered Stinger GT does not let down drivers who are only interested in achieving maximum straight-line speed. During our track testing, the Stinger GT mastered straight-line speed and accelerated to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Although it behaves admirably in everyday driving situations, it couldn’t quite equal the poise of its more seasoned competitors when pushed to the limit. We also noticed considerable resistance from the rear suspension, including some fore-and-aft tilting during our all-out acceleration and braking runs, as well as an alarming side step while turning hard on a bumpy road. All GTs have strong Brembo brakes, which allowed for swift stops by any standard and blended in admirably with this group of high-performance sedans. The Stinger is less remarkable in this class or any other class without the Brembos and when equipped with less grippy all-season tires.
The Kia Stinger is compared to what?
The 2018 Mazda Mazda6 is a four-door, five-passenger sedan, just as the Stinger. The $21,950 standard Mazda6 has a 2.5-liter engine producing 187 horsepower, front-wheel drive, and a manual transmission. The Mazda6 now has a turbocharged 2.5-liter option for 2018, increasing its power to 250 hp with front-wheel drive and an automated transmission.
The Grand Touring Trim of the Mazda6 with the turbo engine costs $30,095; if you’d like additional opulence, you may then upgrade to Grand Touring Reserve or Signature Trim. Front and rear seats can be heated and ventilated on the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trim levels. In the higher models, you can also take use of a heated steering wheel.
Repair costs for Kia Stingers?
During the first ten years of ownership, a KIA Stinger will require roughly $6,281 in maintenance and repairs.
This is $815 less expensive than the industry average for popular sedan models. Additionally, there is a 17.53 percent likelihood that a Stinger will need a significant repair within that time. Compared to comparable automobiles in its sector, this is 3.97 percent better. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.
Kia Stingers’ lifespan is how long?
The Kia Stinger has an estimated 200,000-mile lifespan. But in order to completely maximize the car’s potential longevity, you must give prompt maintenance the highest priority.
We know the Stinger performs exceptionally well. With 365 horsepower available if you choose the twin-turbo engined model, the urge to practice your racetrack driving talents grows. However, you would be wise to avoid doing too many drag races and stunts with your Stinger as these can shorten its lifespan.
The Kia Stinger 2.0: Is it pricey?
Similar to the Telluride, the Stinger 2.0T is pleasant and smooth to drive. Think of it as a grand tourer that is perhaps not that great. The suspension is comfortable by sports car standards, the handling is light, nimble, and balanced, and the engine has some life. The Stinger is a great, refined companion if you’re merely strolling around town or taking a Sunday cruise. However, the 2.0T lacks that little bit of extra vigor when operating outside of that range.
The Stinger 2.0T might be ideal if all you want is a sporty-looking vehicle. It is svelte, muscular, striking, and not overly toned-down compared to the more aggressive form. It looks something like a sports car, a muscle car, a hatchback, and a sedan were combined. The Stinger, though, avoids sounding overly derivative; it skirts the line where owning one would make you appear desperate for attention but never crosses it.
Watch Out For
Speaking of boomer-like comments, the Stinger is difficult to climb into because of how low it is to the earth. Even for this 35-year-old yogi, entry and leave were not enjoyable. If you park on the street and have to enter from a curb, the problem is made worse.
And while some may say I’m repeating myself when I talk about sloping rooflines and blocked back windows, the Stinger’s window is particularly offensive. It is pointing up. Although my brother, who drives a Stinger GT on a regular basis, assured me that you grow used to it, I didn’t feel secure negotiating dense traffic at night in the rain with all the headlight glare.
Other Options
There are numerous options because the Stinger touches on so many different areas. Many have already been mentioned. Desire a sedan? The Subaru WRX costs $27,495 at launch. You want a hatchback. With a little less power, the Volkswagen GTI costs $27,595. You desire a muscle automobile. The EcoBoost Mustang costs $26,670 at launch. The Honda Accord is another vehicle that comes close to the figure; for $31,060, you can have a 252-hp 2.0T Sport with a six-speed manual transmission.
Verdict
The GT is unquestionably the superior option within the Kia lineup. Although the $6,310 difference is significant, you receive a far better bargain. Instead of the $3,000 Sun and Sound package and $495 paint that came with my test vehicle, spend your money on the bigger engine.
Comparatively speaking, you can find alternative well-equipped, sporty-looking cars in this price range that have a better track record and are more enjoyable to drive. I find it challenging to provide an argument for not looking elsewhere.
Can a Mustang outrun a Kia Stinger in speed?
In terms of raw acceleration, the 2018 Kia Stinger GT and Ford Mustang GT are almost comparable. In testing by Car & Driver, the 365 horsepower twin-turbocharged Kia Stinger GT reached 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and finished the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds.
How quick are Kia Stingers?
Yes, the Kia Stinger is the quickest car in its class as of 2022, when the base four-cylinder model will be capable of 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet. It will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, with a top speed cap of 130 mph.
According to a July report, Kia intends to stop producing the Stinger after the 2022 model year, but the company has not officially announced these intentions.
The base price of the four-cylinder Stinger is $37,365 with the destination fee already included, while the more potent GT model is $42,815
Will there be a Kia Stinger in 2023?
Price: The 2023 Kia Stinger’s starting price is predicted to be around $37,000. The 2023 Kia Stinger car amplifies the sporty and opulent features of a mainstream brand when driving. This vehicle competes German rivals like the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe in terms of driving performance and attractive styling.