History/Overview
Kia’s flagship car model is the Stinger, a mid-size sport sedan that hides a little secret: a hatchback tailgate housing a spacious trunk. For 2021, the Stinger is unchanged.
Available Trims
Kia offers the Stinger in GT and GT Limited trim levels. Both use a 3.3L turbocharged V6 engine, which is matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD.
Standard Features
Stinger’s standard exterior features include 19-inch wheels, automatic LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, welcome lighting, a sunroof, engine auto stop/start, and heated/power-folding/auto-dimming side mirrors.
Inside, there’s leather upholstery, 12-way power and heated front seats with lumbar, power front-seat headrests, electric steering column adjustments, 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, a heated steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and door sill plates, dual-zone automatic climate control, a nine-speaker stereo with satellite radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, cruise control, a 3.5-inch gauge cluster display, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and LED interior lighting.
Among the Stinger’s standard safety features are tire pressure monitoring, blind spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and rear cross traffic alert.
GT Limited adds steerable headlights, rain-sensing wipers, Nappa leather seating, power driver’s seat bolsters, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, a cloth headliner, aluminum interior trim, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, a 15-speaker stereo, radar cruise control, a 7.0-inch gauge cluster display, integrated garage door remote, head-up display, lane keep assist, forward collision detection with automatic braking, and 360-degree exterior camera views.
Fuel Economy
Kia’s fuel consumption estimates for the Stinger are 13.6/9.6 L/100 km (city/highway).
Competition
The Stinger occupies an interesting niche, offering performance, looks and upscale features that punch well above Kia’s usual weight. Looked at objectively, this car competes with the likes of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, Audi’s A5 Sportback, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Volvo’s S60. Also among its competition is the Genesis G70, with which the Stinger shares its underpinnings.
