Used 2019 Kia Stinger

In a world overrun by SUVs, a car like the 2019 Kia Stinger is a welcome change of pace. While some might still think of Kia as a builder of quality family transportation, the Stinger is set to change hearts and minds, one thrilling mile after another. Taking aim at the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and Audi A5 Sportback, the 5-door Kia Stinger liftback comes to the fight with a choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, two turbocharged engines, a sport-tuned suspension and steering so precise it will make you think twice about spending more on a pricey European make. On the flip side, the Stinger lacks the upscale vibe of a BMW or Audi, and its long-term reliability and resale remain untested.

From the moment you pull away from a stop, it’s obvious that the 2019 Kia Stinger is something special. From the growl of the 365-horsepower V6, to the sharp steering, to the bite of the suspension, this Kia means business. Best of all, it’s not an illusion: this is as legit a sports sedan as you could hope for. The engine pours out power seamlessly, and the 8-speed automatic transmission snaps off shifts quickly and smoothly. In corners, there’s just enough suspension travel to keep the Stinger from being upset when it encounters bumps, but not so much that it leans too far. Different driving modes range from Smart, Eco, Comfort and Sport; the last of those would seem like the default, but we thought it made the steering unnecessarily heavy. Instead, switch to Custom and program the steering to Comfort and you’ll find just the right balance. Dial it back from those extremes and just cruise, and you can appreciate the upscale interior accommodations, comfortable seats and quiet cabin. Yet even when relaxed, the Stinger provides just enough feedback through the steering wheel and suspension to remind you that at a moment’s notice it’s ready to play.

With clear hints of Mercedes-Benz design, the 2019 Kia Stinger’s interior is as handsome as it is functional. The overall layout is familiar as it appears in Kia’s other models (Forte, Sedona, Optima, etc.), but there’s an upgraded look and feel to the surfaces and switchgear. Stylish touches include exposed speaker grilles and large round S-Class-like center vents. There are some glitches, however, like the sleek metallic finish on the infotainment buttons that makes reading the lettering difficult. There’s good legroom front and rear, although tall passengers may want to ride up front. Lift the wide hatch and there’s 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.

The 2019 Stinger offers classic rear-drive proportions, with a long hood and short rear deck, the latter part of its useful liftback design. While the design incorporates many of the cues we’ve come to expect from Kia, such as the “tiger-nose” grille treatment, it’s not like any Kia before it. The silhouette could be mistaken for an Audi A5 Sportback, for example, or maybe a BMW 4 Series Gran Sport. Yet the surface details are notably different. In fact, some think maybe the exterior is trying a bit too hard, and if you think its various vents, winglets and elongated taillights all come across as fussy, rather than sporty, you’re not alone.

CHASSIS DYNAMICS
We don’t know where they learned it, but Kia engineers obviously did their chassis dynamics homework because the Stinger’s setup absolutely nails it. Feeling every bit like a European sports sedan, the Stinger is built for curves, and maybe even a few laps around the Nürburgring.

LIFTBACK BODY
While most sedans suffer from an ability to be versatile, the 2019 Kia Stinger’s liftback design allows SUV-like cargo hauling without the SUV. The sleek Stinger body helps create a long and wide liftback that, with the seats folded down, opens up to reveal nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo space.

True to its role as an alternative to premium European brands, even the base Kia Stinger comes nicely equipped. Consider leather upholstery that includes the steering wheel and shift knob, push-button ignition and keyless entry, power driver and passenger seats, dual-zone climate control, and a 7-inch touch-screen audio system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base engine is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder driving the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddles for manual shifting. On the safety side, in addition to multiple airbags and the usual array of stability controls, the Stinger comes with front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, and a cool Brake Fade Compensation, which increases brake boost when it detects the brakes overheating.

The most notable options are all-wheel drive and the V6 engine, which is available in GT models. Like most modern cars, options are divided into trim levels for the most part; as you work up from the base model through Premium, GT, GT1 and GT2, you get more stuff. At the top, the GT2 gets a standard limited-slip differential, launch-control system, 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, black chrome trim and high-gloss hood vents. Inside, there’s soft Nappa leather on the 16-way driver’s seat, and other exclusive trim. We’re particularly fond of the 720-watt Harman Kardon audio system, which is standard on Premium and GT models and optional on the base car. Standard on Premium, GT1 and GT2 trims is a driver-assist package that bundles forward-collision avoidance and warning, smart cruise control and lane-keep assist.

The 2019 Stinger and Stinger Premium trims are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine good for 255 ponies. While more than capable of moving the Stinger at a satisfactory pace, this engine doesn’t sound all that refined, and it lacks the smoothness of the GT’s more potent twin-turbo V6. With 365 horsepower on tap, the GT delivers the kind of acceleration and passing power expected of a sports sedan and does it all with grace, smoothness and a melodious exhaust note. An 8-speed automatic is standard regardless of engine choice and while a manual would have been appreciated, we have no arguments with the automatic’s rapid shifts, especially when using the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Fuel economy for both engines is good, but not great, separated by a mere four mpg in highway driving. All Kia Stingers are available with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive (RWD, AWD).

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
255 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 mpg (RWD), 21/29 mpg (AWD)

3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6
365 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
376 lb-ft of torque @ 1,300-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/25 mpg (RWD), 18/25 mpg (AWD)