Kia Stinger (2018 – 2022) Review

Kia Stinger (2018 – 2022) At A Glance

4/5

+Excellent levels of standard equipment. Looks distinctive. Good interior. Sonorous and powerful 3.3 litre V6 T-GDI. Reasonable economy.

-Unsophisticated RWD suspension and gearbox. No 4WD for UK. Shallow boot.

Insurance Groups are between 32–36
On average it achieves 88% of the official MPG figure

The Kia brand is synonymous with value. While you might picture vehicles like the Picanto city car and Ceed family hatch when you think of the Korean manufacturer, it also provides affordable alternatives to more upmarket cars. The Sportage, for example, is an excellent rival to the likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan, while its Stinger is set to take on the BMW 4 Series, Audi A5 and Volkswagen Arteon.

Don’t click away just yet. You may think that no self-respecting BMW or Audi driver would consider a Kia, but take a look at what you get for your money.

The entry-level Stinger with its 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 255PS starts at £32,025. That’s around £2,600 less than a BMW 420i, which has quite a lot less power (184PS), two fewer doors and a much shorter list of standard kit. The Audi A5, meanwhile, starts at £33,845. And, like the BMW, you’ll need to go heavy with the options to bring it up to the specification of the Kia.

Even the cheapest Kia Stinger comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, heated leather seats, front and rear parking sensors, selectable drive modes, adaptive cruise control and - for enthusiastic drivers - a limited slip differential. For £35,525, the mid-range Stinger GT-Line S adds an electric tailgate, LED headlights, a Harman Kardon premium audio system and a panoramic sunroof.

The top-spec Stinger GT S costs £40,535 and features 19-inch alloys, hefty Brembo brakes and adaptive dampers, not to mention a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine producing 370PS. That’s enough to take it to 62mph in 4.9 seconds - faster than a £46,845 BMW 440i.

We’ve established that the Stinger does the ‘value for money’ thing quite well, then. But it’s also pretty good to drive. It’s not as polished as premium brands, but it handles very well, the chassis providing lots of feedback and moving around just enough to remind you that you’re in a fairly powerful rear-wheel-drive car.

The gearbox is a bit unrefined and we’d like a bit more compliancy in the suspension, but a Volkswagen Arteon doesn’t come close for driver enjoyment.

It’d have been easy for Kia to cut corners on the interior, and while you will find switchgear from lesser models, the cabin has a pretty upmarket vibe about it. Three turbine-style air vents dominate the dash, along with a large central touchscreen.

You sit low down, helping the sporty feel, while a longer wheelbase than the Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series mean there’s a reasonable amount of interior space (although adults in the rear might wish for a bit more legroom). The boot appears fairly big but it’s also fairly flat, meaning its 406 litres isn’t as impressive as rivals.

The Kia Stinger is not an obvious choice and might take a bit of explaining to people who don’t quite get what it’s all about. It’s an interesting alternative to premium German rivals, however, and its rarity means it turns heads in the way a BMW 4 Series never will.

There are a number of drawbacks - the jerky gearbox and not-quite-premium cabin, for example - but that’s reflected in the price. In fact, we’d almost go as far as saying the Stinger is a modern day bargain.

Kia Stinger 3.3 GT S 2018 Road Test

Real MPG average for a Kia Stinger (2018 – 2022)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

88%

Real MPG

21–43 mpg

MPGs submitted

43

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Downsizing to one car, what should we choose?

"My wife and I have a Mazda CX5 petrol automatic and a Kia Stinger GTS. It might make sense to opt for a single car. We like the performance and front-seat comfort of the Kia but have occasional use for the boot space of the Mazda. We're not keen on fancy brands. Is there a suitable compromise?"
Would you consider going electric? The Kia EV6 is one of our favourite electric cars, with stylish looks and performance that won't feel underwhelming after your Stinger GTS. It's a practical choice, too, with loads of interior space and a 490-litre boot (only marginally smaller than your CX-5's). Alternatively, you could look at a more conventional SUV like the Kia Sportage. The Sportage is available with hybrid power, with low running costs and sprightly performance. It's a very comfortable and spacious car, too.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Can you recommend a modern replacement for my Fiat Coupe?

"I recently lost my beloved 1998 Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo, after a head-on collision with a drunk driver. We were lucky to walk away. Having owned the car since 2002 I am looking for a replacement with the same charisma and excitement of my old Fiat. I need at least four seats, with some reasonable space in the back for growing teenagers. I would like a leather interior, a sunroof and hassle-free ownership (the Fiat was very reliable). Safety is, maybe not surprisingly, a key consideration. Ideally, I'd like to get a great value car and have a maximum budget of £25,000 but would prefer to spend less. If I pick the right car I am likely to keep it for the long haul. Any suggestions, please? "
How about a Kia Stinger? It's a left-field choice, much like your Fiat Coupe, with a spacious interior and long transferable warranty. Your budget won't quite stretch to the sporty GT S but the 2.0-litre petrol is no slouch. If you'd prefer a premium alternative, take a look at the Mercedes C-Class Coupe or BMW 4 Series.
Answered by Andrew Brady
More Questions

What does a Kia Stinger (2018 – 2022) cost?