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2018 Kia Stinger review

Research, photos, specs and expertise
7 photos

Kia Stinger highlights

Customer rating

RepairPal reliability rating

(data not available)

Pros

  • Bold styling stands out
  • High quality, backed by a strong warranty

Cons

  • Rear passenger space is tight
  • Low-slung stance means rear visibility is limited

Mileage (EPA estimate)

17 city, 25 highway, 20 combined

Pricing for current inventory

From $27,998*

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Sleek and upscale performance

It's a brave manufacturer that enters the sport sedan market aiming to upset the status quo, but that's exactly what Kia has done with the 2018 Stinger. It produced a boldly styled, low-slung sedan with four doors and a fastback hatch tailgate, offering a choice of powerful engines and standard rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. Underlining Kia's seriousness in taking on established contenders is that the company brought in a former BMW M engineering guru to oversee the Stinger's development.

It worked, too, because the Stinger drives very well. The steering is quick and accurate, the ride is tight and controlled, and the performance is satisfying with the entry-level 255-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and thrilling with the range-topping 3.3-liter turbocharged V6. There are five trim levels—Base, Premium, GT, GT1, and GT2—and Kia is, as usual, generous with the standard equipment. The Base model comes with cruise control, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, and Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. The Premium sees the touchscreen grow from 7 inches to 8 inches and gains a 15-speaker stereo over the Base's six-speaker system. The GT and above come with the V6 engine, and more demanding drivers are likely to seek out the GT2 trim with its limited-slip differential. Kia has made an enjoyable, engaging sport sedan.

All Kia Stinger years

Not sure what year to select? Learn about each Kia Stinger generation from 2018 to 2023

2018 Kia Stinger trims

Curious how Kia Stinger trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

  • Base: Includes 18-inch wheels, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more.

  • Premium: Adds an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, driver's seat memory function, navigation, a 15-speaker Harman Kardon® audio system, and more.

  • GT: Includes upgrades such as 19-inch wheels, Brembo® brakes, a flat-bottom steering wheel, adaptive suspension dampers, and more.

  • GT1: Adds an electronically controlled suspension, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, additional performance gauges, and more.

  • GT2: Includes forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and more.


Kia Stinger photos

5 reasons to buy the 2018 Kia Stinger

1. Upscale cabin

2018 Kia Stinger: Front seats | CarMax

Considering that it's in the luxury category, it's only natural that the 2018 Kia Stinger has an upscale interior that makes every ride as convenient and enjoyable as possible. With room for five, the cabin is lined with soft-touch surfaces and standard leather upholstery, accompanied by a power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support. What's more, there's a color screen in the dashboard that displays information about the car's performance, such as lap times and cornering forces.

2. Sporty performance

2018 Kia Stinger: Engine | CarMax

The 2018 Kia Stinger is a powerful car that is fun to drive and provides an exciting riding experience for all passengers. Even the base turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine that makes 255 hp is potent and dynamic, but the available twin-turbocharged 3.3L six-cylinder engine, which generates 365 hp, is even more thrilling and puts the 2018 Kia Stinger right up there as a performance vehicle. Both engine options pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and there's a special Sport mode among the five driving settings on the multi-link adaptive suspension.

3. Lots of tech features

2018 Kia Stinger: Steering wheel and dashboard | CarMax

When it comes to equipment, the 2018 Kia Stinger comes with lots of standard features in the convenience, entertainment, and driver-assistance department. For starters, there's the Kia UVO infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen, along with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration. The Stinger also comes standard with dual-zone automatic climate control and front and rear parking sensors. Selectable driver modes are part of the standard equipment as well, allowing you to switch between Personal, Eco, Sport, Comfort, and Smart, based on your preference and driving style.

4. Ample cargo space

2018 Kia Stinger: Trunk | CarMax

While it may not have as much cargo space as an SUV, the 2018 Kia Stinger has more than enough room for storage when you take into account that it's a compact sports car. The Stinger's trunk has 23.3 cu-ft of space, which is admirable for a sporty car. When you fold down the rear seats, the total cargo volume increases to 40.9 cu-ft, which is comparable to some smaller SUVs. With this kind of space, you can easily fit a couple of large suitcases for a trip with your crew, as well as other large items like sports gear, fishing equipment, or bags of groceries.

5. Attractive styling

2018 Kia Stinger: Front of car | CarMax

On top of the versatility and dynamic performance it provides, the 2018 Kia Stinger is also really good-looking. Its attractive exterior design was inspired by 1970s fastback touring cars, a resemblance you can easily detect at first glance. With a sloping roofline and a long hood, the Stinger has a nice aerodynamic shape, and its sporty appearance is rounded out by several air ducts and spoilers.




Similar vehicles

If you're interested in the 2018 Kia Stinger, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.

Image of Audi S4

The Audi S4 is a luxury sports sedan that has a quiet and comfortable cabin, lots of standard tech features, and thrilling performance. 2018-2021 models are powered by a standard 349-hp turbo 3.0L six-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The S4 is a great option if you love to drive on fun country roads.

Standard features on the 2018-2021 Audi S4 include:

  • Front and rear parking sensors

  • Tri-zone automatic climate control

  • Leather upholstery




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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4.6 out of 5

9 customer reviews

Kia Stinger features and specs

Curious how Kia Stinger trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

GT 2WD 4D Hatchback

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Cruise Control
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Heated Mirrors
  • Leather Seats
  • Navigation System
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Traction Control
  • Turbo Charged Engine

Optional Features

  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Remote Start

Drive Wheels

Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

3.3L

Horsepower

365

Torque (ft-lbs)

376

Engine type

Turbo Gas

Fuel capacity

15.9

Wheelbase

114.4"

Overall length

190.2"

Width

73.6"

Height

55.1"

Leg room

F 42.6"/R 36.4"

Head room

F 38.3"/R 37"

Front tires

P225/40VR19

Rear tires

P255/35VR19

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2018 Kia Stinger FAQ

More about the 2018 Kia Stinger

Color options

2018 Kia Stinger: Color options | CarMax

Exterior colors:

  • Aurora Black Pearl

  • HiChroma Red

  • Micro Blue Pearl

  • Panthera Metal

  • Silky Silver

  • Snow White Pearl

Interior colors:

  • Black

  • Light Gray

  • Red

Interior details

The 2018 Kia Stinger has a roomy and refined cabin. Almost the entire cabin has soft-touch surfaces, along with leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. A color screen that displays performance data, such as lap times or cornering G-force, is a particularly nice and useful touch—especially if you want to head out on the track. The 2018 Stinger has 23.3 cu-ft of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 40.9 cu-ft with those seats folded down.

Child seat details

The 2018 Kia Stinger has two sets of LATCH connectors on the rear outer seats, along with an upper tether on the rear middle seat. You can easily install both rear-facing and forward-facing car seats. The tethering points are easy to reach and the rear doors open wide, which makes installing child seats simple and hassle-free.

Performance

The engine lineup for the 2018 Kia Stinger includes a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that produces 255 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 3.3L six-cylinder that generates 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. Both are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional. With the 3.3L six-cylinder engine, the 2018 Stinger can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 167 mph (according to the manufacturer, when new). The 2018 Kia Stinger with the 2.0L four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined.

Year comparisons

2017-Present Kia Stinger (First Generation)

The Kia Stinger was introduced for the 2017 model year. It uses the Hyundai Genesis platform with an upgraded, high-strength steel chassis. It has a specially tuned front and multi-link rear suspension, and standard rear-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is optional).

The Stinger got a facelift in 2022, with a new LED system for the headlights and taillights, as well as a 10.25-inch touchscreen inside. The base turbocharged 2.0L engine was replaced with a 2.5L engine that generates 300 hp.




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