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2021 Kia Stinger review

Research, photos, specs and expertise
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Kia Stinger highlights

Customer rating

RepairPal reliability rating

(data not available)

Pros

  • Even the entry-level model boasts lots of standard equipment
  • Entertaining to drive, great to look at

Cons

  • Rear passengers have limited headroom
  • As great as it is to drive, it lacks the brand image of European rivals

Mileage (EPA estimate)

17 city, 25 highway, 20 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

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Price
Year
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2021 Kia Stinger sport sedan is enjoyable from behind the wheel

Kia has achieved what many thought impossible: It created a sport sedan that's as good as the traditional European premium competition. Besides Audi, BMW, Jaguar, and Mercedes-Benz, the Kia also competes with cars from Cadillac, Genesis, and Lexus, among others. That's quite a distinguished group, but the Stinger has the driving dynamics to match, or better, most of them. It's powered by either a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 hp or a 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 with 365 hp in the GT trim level and above. All Stingers are rear-wheel drive and come with an eight-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive is optional.

Since it's a Kia, the standard equipment is extensive, and even the base GT-Line model comes with a long list of desirable features. Add to that Kia's excellent warranty and attractive pricing, and the Stinger makes a great deal of sense economically. That it's great to drive only helps its case—all Stingers offer nice balance, enjoyable handling, and good performance. The interior is nicely finished, and the exterior looks sharp and distinctive. Only its lack of brand allure and lack of rear passenger headroom count against it. Otherwise, the Stinger is a very appealing, very capable, and impressive-to-drive performance sedan.

All Kia Stinger years

What is new for the 2021 Kia Stinger?

  • Stinger trims have been upgraded with Automated Cruise Control as standard equipment this year.
  • The GT1 trim now comes with Android Auto as standard equipment.
  • The GT2 trim now comes with Android Auto as standard equipment.
  • The GT-Line trim now comes with Android Auto and Heated Steering Wheel as standard equipment.

2021 Kia Stinger trims

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

The 2021 Kia Stinger is available in four trims.

  • GT-Line: Includes a 255-hp 2L turbo four-cylinder engine, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, leather seats, 18-inch wheels, wireless charger, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, seven-inch touchscreen, and more.

  • GT: Adds 365-hp 3.3L twin-turbo V6, launch control, limited-slip differential, Brembo® brakes, paddle shifters, LED lights, 19-inch wheels, and more.

  • GT1: Adds 8-inch touchscreen, smart cruise control, lane departure warning and other driver-assist features, premium audio, ventilated front seats, and more.

  • GT2: Adds navigation, surround-view monitor, heads-up display, heated rear seats, Nappa leather, 16-way adjustable driver's seat, and more.

Kia Stinger photos

5 reasons to buy the 2021 Kia Stinger

1. Powerful engines

2021 Kia Stinger: Engine | CarMax

If you love to hear the purr of an engine accelerating or want to be pushed back into your seat when you press the gas pedal, the Kia Stinger is the everyday driver for you. The 2021 Stinger comes with two engine options: a 2L turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.3L twin-turbo V6. Both engines are peppy, but the V6 will thrust you from zero to 60 in 4.7 seconds (when new), solidifying the Stinger's place among sports sedans.

2. Lots of space

2021 Kia Stinger: Backseats | CarMax

Sports cars are fun but to get the most use out of them you need to be able to fit your friends, family, and cargo. The 2021 Kia Stinger lets you do just that. The Stinger has seating for five and four doors, making it easy to access the back seats and even install car seats. The rear hatch gives the Stinger 23.3 cu-ft of cargo space, so there's always room for your golf clubs, instruments, or a stroller.

3. Ready for all weather

2021 Kia Stinger: Exterior Rear View | CarMax

Adding to the practicality of the Stinger, every model is available with all-wheel drive. The base trim offers a basic all-wheel drive system. All other trims offer all-wheel drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring. That system distributes torque and power to the specific wheels that need it, boosting stability and traction in the slickest weather conditions.

4. Tons of standard tech

2021 Kia Stinger: Dashboard | CarMax

The 2021 Kia Stinger has loads of standard tech and driver-assist features. All 2021 Stingers come standard with Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto, and Bluetooth® connectivity. The Stinger has two USB ports, in addition to a standard wireless smartphone charging pad for compatible devices, so you never need to worry about running out of juice. The base model comes standard with blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert, while higher trims offer additional driver-assist features like emergency braking and pedestrian detection.

5. Luxury interior

2021 Kia Stinger: Interior Front Seats | CarMax

Kia isn't necessarily known as a luxury brand but the Stinger undoubtedly has a luxurious interior. Leather seats are standard, as are heated front seats. A hand-stitched steering wheel and contoured seats add to the comfort in the cabin. Available options like a sunroof and heads-up display allow you to find a 2021 Stinger that meets all your wants and needs. Higher trim levels have ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats.

Similar vehicles

If you're interested in the 2021 Kia Stinger, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.

Image of Jaguar XE

The Jaguar XE is a luxury small car that was produced from 2017 to 2020. The XE was introduced with seating for five and three engine options. The base engine is a turbo four-cylinder, while a four-cylinder turbodiesel or supercharged V6 are available up until the 2019 model year. The XE comes standard with leatherette upholstery and plastic finishes in the cabin.

Here's what you'll find on all 2017–2020 Jaguar XEs:

  • Standard eight-inch touchscreen

  • Standard Bluetooth; Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity standard on 2020 model

  • 15.9 cu-ft of cargo space

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

Kia Stinger features and specs

GT-Line 2WD 4D Hatchback

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Cruise Control
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Leather Seats
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Rear View Camera
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Traction Control
  • Turbo Charged Engine
  • Harman Kardon Sound
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Leather Seats
  • Navigation System
  • Sunroof(s)

Drive Wheels

Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

2.0L

Horsepower

255

Torque (ft-lbs)

260

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

P225/45HR18

Rear tires

P225/45HR18

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2021 Kia Stinger FAQ

More about the 2021 Kia Stinger

Color options

2021 Kia Stinger: Color Options | CarMax

Exterior colors:

  • Aurora Black

  • Ceramic Silver (GT1, GT2 only)

  • Hichroma Red

  • Micro Blue

  • Panthera Metal

  • Snow White

Interior colors:

  • Black

Interior details

The 2021 Kia Stinger comes with seating for five people. Leather seats are standard. All 2021 Stingers come standard with heated front seats, while the GT1 and GT2 trims also come with ventilated front seats. In terms of interior tech, the Stinger comes standard with a seven-inch touchscreen display, increasing to eight inches in the GT1 and GT2 trims. The GT2 trim also has a heads-up display too.

If you're looking for something sporty but practical, the rear seat of the Kia Stinger has a 60-40 split, allowing you to utilize more cargo space. On top of this, the Stinger is spacious, with 42.6 inches of legroom in the front, and 36.4 inches in the rear.

Child seat details

The 2021 Kia Stinger has two car seat LATCH connections, on the outboard rear seats. You can fit two car seats in the rear, but you won't be able to fit three. The Kia Stinger is well-suited for rear-facing seats because of the large among of rear legroom, but if you have rear seats installed, the front seats will likely need to be moved forward.

Performance

If you're looking for top-notch performance, you should choose a Kia Stinger with the twin-turbo V6 engine, which is standard on the GT, GT1, and GT2 trims. With that engine, the 2021 Kia Stinger has a top speed of 167 mph and can accelerate from zero to 60 in 4.7 seconds (when new). With the 3.3L V6 engine, the 2021 Kia Stinger gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg of combined fuel economy on both rear-wheel- and all-wheel drive models.

The GT-Line trim comes standard with a 2L turbo four-cylinder engine that accelerates from zero to 60 in 5.9 seconds (when new). With that 2L four-cylinder engine, the 2021 Kia Stinger gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined fuel economy with rear-wheel drive, and 24 mpg combined fuel economy with all-wheel drive.

All 2021 Kia Stingers come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard but all-wheel drive is available across all trims.

Year comparison

2018-Present Kia Stinger (First Generation)

The 2021 Kia Stinger is part of the first generation of the vehicle, which launched in 2018. Since 2018 the Stinger has come with the same two engine options: the 2L turbo four-cylinder and the twin-turbo V6. Initially, the Stinger came in five trims, but in 2020 the trims were reshuffled into four levels. In 2019 blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert became standard on the Stinger.

In 2022 the Stinger got a refresh. The base engine remains a turbo four, but it now produces 300 hp. In addition, the standard touchscreen size increased from seven inches to 10.25 inches, and more driver-assist features were made standard.

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