2023 Kia Stinger Review: Wonderful Wildcard

Sports sedans and coupes seem to be the purview of German powerhouse brands, but we've always had a soft spot for the Kia Stinger - a car that doesn't have to apologize or stand back for rivals like the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe or the Audi S5 Sportback. The Kia Stinger is vastly underrated, so it's quite devastating that the automaker won't be producing any more of it in the USA after 2023. The EV6 GT is supposed to step into the spotlight as the brand's new performance halo model, taking over the mantle from the Stinger GT, but the EV6 is a crossover, even if it's an athletic vehicle worthy of the GT denomination. As the Stinger closes production, it'll be available in just two trims for 2023, with power outputs ranging from 300 horsepower to 368 hp. Get your hands on one while you still can.

New for 2023

As the automaker announces that 2023 will be the Kia Stinger's final production year, it gets a simplified lineup with just two core models. New for the Kia Stinger liftback sedan are three supplementary special edition packages, namely the Apex package for the GT-Line and the Grand Tourer and Tribute for the GT2 model. All of these offer exterior enhancements and unique interiors. The Tribute Edition will be limited to 1,000 units globally to celebrate the Stinger being put out to pasture. It is available in only Ascot Green or Moonscape matte with special badging, black exterior bits and pieces, and black brake calipers.

2023 Kia Stinger Price: Which One to Buy

The GT-Line is the base model in the range, putting the starting price of a 2023 Kia Stinger at $36,690. Opting for the Apex Special Edition package adds $1,000 to that price. At the top of the range is the GT2, which has an MSRP of $51,890 - quite a step up. To turn that into the Grand Tourer Special Edition, you'll need to spend another $1,000, and the Tribute Special Edition Package asks for $1,500. All of these prices exclude the $1,175 destination charge.

With just two models to choose from, each powered by a good engine and offering a long list of features, you're not likely to have any buyer's remorse if you settle for the base model. It comes well equipped for the price with a host of safety features and driver assists, as well as lovely leather upholstery and enough tech to keep you satisfied. However, if it were our money, we'd splurge for the more exciting GT2 - we'd forego the fancy special edition packages, opt for AWD with torque vectoring at $2,200, and call it a day at just over $55k, destination included.

Interior and Features

A stylish and comfortable interior is a hallmark of top-spec Kias, and the Stinger is spacious and elegant with a few sporty touches.

The interior of the Kia Stinger is a bit of a mashup between modern Kia and old-school sports car, and some may find the round air vents are reminiscent of cabins you'll find on Mercedes-Benz products. Regardless, it's a high-quality cabin with leather upholstery (Nappa on the top trim), spacious accommodations, all the features and tech you'll want, and sporty touches like aluminum pedals and a flat-bottom steering wheel. The base model is also generously equipped with dual-zone climate control, navigation-based smart cruise control, a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, and heated front seats.

Space

The liftback Stinger is quite roomy, especially up front where the main occupants get the lion's share of the interior space. The Kia Stinger seats five with those seated in the back row still getting over 36 inches of legroom - that's not a bunch, but it is the most among rivals, although headroom takes a knock here. Those seated in front have loads of seating adjustments to help them find the optimal seating position, with the GT2 able to choose from 16 different positions and benefitting from side bolsters and thigh cushioning. Most people will be comfortable wherever they're seated, but we'd advise against cramming three full-size adults in the back.

Cargo

As with other liftback-style sedans and hatchbacks, the Kia Stinger benefits from excellent cargo space with the trunk holding up to 23.3 cubic feet behind the back row. Fold the back seats down and that opens up to 40.9 cubes. It's worth noting that the trunk is hamstrung by being shallower than normal with a narrow hatch opening, so taller items may be difficult to fit.

In the cabin, there's a host of little cubbies to store small items. The center console and glovebox are the best places for your phone, wallet, or keys, and you also get an overhead sunglasses holder, two cupholsters near the shifter, and bottle holders and pockets in all doors.

Materials and Colors

Regardless of which model you choose, the interior of the Kia Stinger will be wrapped in high-quality materials. In the base GT-Line, that's leather in either Black, Beige, or Red (the latter adds $295 to the invoice). There's more choice in the GT2, which upgrades to Nappa leather in the same colors, with two additional options that include Black leather with suede inserts and Terracotta Nappa leather. Kia allows only certain combinations of interior colors with exterior paint, however, so you'll have to play around a bit to find your preferred combo.

GT-Line models with the Apex Special Edition package also get carbon fiber-patterned interior accent trim to set their car apart, while the Grand Tourer bundle on the GT2 features a suede interior design theme. Limited-run Tribute models get only Terracotta Nappa leather with a special logo on the headrest, suede headliners and pillars, carbon fiber accent trim, and aluminum door sill scuff plate trim.

Features and Infotainment

We're fans of Kia's generosity when it comes to features, and the Stinger lineup also benefits from this. Even the base GT-Line gets all the basics - and then some - with features like wireless device charging, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, 12-way power driver's seat adjustment, heated front seats, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror as standard. Infotainment is housed on a 10.25-inch touchscreen that has navigation, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay as standard, while a nine-speaker audio system does duty here.

Moving up to the GT2 sees the addition of a seven-inch driver display over the base 4.2-inch cluster, power tilt and telescoping function for the steering wheel, a HomeLink transceiver, 16-way power adjustment for the driver's seat with four-way lumbar, and 12-way adjustment for the front passenger. At this level, you also get ventilated front seats and heating for the rear outboard seats. A 15-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is standard at the top of the range.

Performance

The Kia Stinger doesn't have to take a back seat to other performance sedans or coupes - it's a hoot to drive and, in GT2 spec, it's a thrilling experience.

Performance is a strong point for the Stinger, but you can choose between two levels of power. The base GT-Line comes with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 300 hp and 311 lb-ft, while the GT2 gets the most potent setup: a 3.3-liter turbo V6 with 368 hp and 376 lb-ft. An eight-speed automatic does the work in both cases and although rear-wheel drive is standard, you can opt for all-wheel drive in either trim. On the GT2, opting for AWD also adds dynamic torque vectoring.

In even the base model, performance is satisfying. The GT-Line Kia Stinger will go from 0-60 mph in the low five-second range with a top speed limited to 130 mph. Of course, the GT2 is quicker, dispatching the sprint in just 4.7 seconds with AWD and speeding on to 167 mph (if you equip summer tires), and leaving you truly thrilled. The auto 'box is right up there with some of the best in the segment, and the paddle shifters allow some hands-on engagement, if that's your thing; in our experience, it's a genuine joy to drive, regardless of how it's set up.

Fuel Efficiency

Gas mileage for the Kia Stinger naturally varies depending on the engine and drivetrain. GT-Line trims are most efficient, with the RWD Kia Stinger with the base engine earning 22/32/25 mpg on city/highway/combined cycles. Sending power to all four wheels drops that to 21/29/24 mpg. The more exciting GT2 takes a hit thanks to its V6 engine, with RWD models rated at 18/25/20 mpg by the EPA while AWD versions manage just 17/24/20 mpg.

All Kia Stinger's have a fuel tank capacity of 15.9 gallons. The most efficient models have a theoretical range of 398 miles, while the least frugal ones have about 318 miles on a tank before needing to refuel.

Safety

Excellent crash test results and a generous safety specification contribute to making this one of the safest in the class - even earning an award from the IIHS.

Along with its stylish appearance, long list of standard features, and thrilling performance, the safety review of the Kia Stinger is also superb. The IIHS felt so strongly about its safety (scoring it top scores in every category) that it was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ award by the IIHS. The NHTSA concurs and gave it full marks in all evaluations barring the frontal crash test, where it got four stars out of five.

Along with seven airbags, the Stinger lineup also includes rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, lane following and lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind-spot assist, forward collision warning, a driver attention monitor, and safe exit. Smart cruise control is included, too. Opting for the GT2 sees the addition of front park distance warning, a head-up display, and a surround-view monitor - and these aren't available on the GT-Line at all.

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Reliability

Wearing the Kia logo doesn't just mean you get a modern and attractive car, because the brand has a well-deserved reputation for excellence in build quality and reliability. This is borne out by the high 87 out of 100 rating JD Power bestows on the Kia Stinger for reliability and echoed in the lack of recalls over the last two years.

Additionally, the warranty cover for the 2023 Kia Stinger is exceptional: a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and an industry-leading ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty are standard.

Warranty

Design

Like the trendy sedan-hatchback chimeras and coupe-lookalikes, the Kia Stinger cuts a dashing figure with its liftback-styled four-door body. It looks sporty and athletic, thanks to air intakes flanking the sleek grille, while the lower front fascia has an aggressive look to it. There are twin chrome dual-tipped outlets at the rear, and 18-inch alloys with a gloss black finish are the standard fare. GT2 trims upgrade to 19-inch items wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires. The full-width rear light bar adds to the feeling of contemporary sportiness, while a faux diffuser underscores the trunk lid.

A sunroof with power sunshade is included on the GT2, but it can be optioned onto the base model through a package upgrade. Multi-reflector LED headlights are upgraded to LED Projector types as you move up through the range, but LED taillights and DRLs are standard.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Kia Stinger A Good Car?

There's very little to fault the Stinger on in our books, and we're rather disappointed to see production come to an end. With excellent safety standards, a generous and comprehensive specs sheet, and two levels of potency to choose from, there's not much to complain about. The price of the 2023 Kia Stinger is also reasonable, and the top-spec GT2 will cost you less than the base Audi S4 Sportback, despite being up on power. The same applies to competition from BMW, although at least that offers 382 hp in M440i Gran Coupe guise. We still find the Stinger to be better balanced, though, with the right amount of comfort, more than enough performance chops, a sweet drive, and the best price. We'd advise you to get one - even a used model will be money well spent.