Used 2021 Kia Stinger

The 2021 Kia Stinger is a sport sedan that leans toward luxury. Well, it’s actually a sport hatchback, but in that sleek Audi A5 Sportback kind of way. Another possible rival would be the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Let’s pause and take in what’s happening here. Kia, a company once known for making budget cars, is taking on Audi and BMW. And this is not mere wishful thinking on Kia’s part. The Stinger is a credible alternative.

Following the classic sport sedan formula, the Stinger comes with rear-wheel drive, offering four driven wheels as an option. Buyers may choose a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine or really exploit the chassis and have a twin-turbocharged V6.

The suspension is taut and the handling precise, although when pushed to its limits, the Stinger begins to show how it’s not yet at Audi or BMW levels of dynamic expertise. But how often can drivers in the real world ever explore those limits?

With an impressive array of features, assertive exterior design, and prices starting under $35,000, the Kia Stinger may be the perfect car for driving enthusiasts willing to ignore badge snobbery.

Right from the first quarter of a mile, it’s clear the 2021 Kia Stinger GT is special. The V6 engine growls, the steering is sharp, the suspension is grippy.

This is a legitimate sport sedan. The engine is seamless in its power delivery, and the 8-speed automatic transmission executes smooth, effective shifts. In corners, there’s just enough give to the suspension, keeping the Stinger from being upset when it encounters bumps, but not so much that it leans too noticeably.

Driving modes are Smart, Eco, Comfort, and Sport. The last of these should seem like the default, but it tends to make the steering unnecessarily heavy. Switching to Custom and programming the steering to Comfort brings just the right balance.

The Stinger can also be a plush and relaxed cruiser, thanks to comfortable seats, a quiet cabin, and refined interior accommodations. Yet even when used this way, there’s just enough feedback through the steering wheel and suspension to remind drivers of the Stinger’s essential athleticism.

There’s an air of European luxury to the Stinger’s cabin, with more than a hint of Mercedes-Benz. Large round center vents and a large dash-mounted infotainment screen contribute to the overall elegance and functionality. There are some familiarities shared with other Kia cars, but many aspects are specific to the Stinger. Aluminum pedals are a nice sporty touch.

The plastics and soft-touch surfaces are a step up from most Kia interiors, but not quite comparable with pricier European cars. A few of the more stylistic elements might also irritate some people, such as the silver finish on the infotainment buttons that make deciphering the letters and symbols harder work than it needs to be.

Legroom is plentiful, both front and rear. The liftback design can’t help but limit rear headroom, though. A 6-footer will want to sit up front.

The 2021 Stinger has classic rear-drive proportions with a long hood and short rear deck, the upside of its liftback design. The silhouette is similar to an Audi A5 Sportback or BMW 4 Series Gran Sport. Yet the surface details are notably different. Although the Stinger incorporates some Kia cues such as the “tiger nose” grille, it still has its own distinct character.

The GT-Line runs on 18-inch alloy wheels. The GT has 19-inch alloys plus LED projector headlights and LED rear turn signals.

CHASSIS DYNAMICS
For a car in this price range, the 2021 Kia Stinger’s overall driving dynamics are absolutely impressive. The suspension is responsive, the steering precise and informative, and the optional Brembo brakes are strong. The Kia Stinger pushes rivals costing twice as much.

LIFTBACK BODY
A sharply raked rear end usually results in a tiny trunk opening. But the Stinger’s liftback design makes it almost as versatile as any compact SUV or wagon, able to swallow many shapes and sizes of cargo up to 40 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The GT-Line is the Stinger range’s entry level. It comes with the 4-cylinder engine, selectable driving modes, keyless entry/ignition, heated side mirrors, leather seating surfaces, flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in perforated leather, 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with 4-way lumbar support, heated front seats, self-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, satellite radio, wireless charging, and a 6-speaker audio setup.

Standard driver aids include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (but not forward-collision avoidance), rear parking sensors, and a feature that increases brake force after detecting brake fade due to overheating.

The GT-Line is eligible for all-wheel drive, powered sunroof, heated steering wheel, power-adjustable front passenger seat, 8-inch touchscreen, and audio system upgrades.

Once in the Stinger GT stratosphere, the twin-turbocharged V6 engine provides the power. Variable-ratio steering is also included. And the optional all-wheel-drive system is more sophisticated, with a torque-vectoring function for greater precision and stability through fast corners.

The range-topping Stinger GT2 has a standard limited-slip differential, launch control, shift-by-wire transmission upgrades, black chrome trim, and high-gloss hood vents. The cabin has Nappa leather upholstery, 16-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 12-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated rear seats, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

Driver aids in the GT1 and GT2 trims include forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance/lane-departure warning, and front parking sensors.

The entry-level 2021 Kia Stinger GT-Line has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine developing 255 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This amount of muscle is perfectly appropriate for a sport sedan.

The twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 in the GT versions, however, is much more entertaining as well as being smoother. It generates 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque.

Regardless of engine choice, an 8-speed automatic transmission is standard. Drivers seeking the most involvement can use the paddle shifters mounted beneath the steering wheel. Rear-wheel drive (RDW) is the default setup. All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional throughout, but the GT’s system includes torque vectoring.

Fuel economy for both engines is acceptable, but not great, separated by a mere four miles per gallon in highway driving.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (GT-Line)
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 (GT, GT1, GT2)
365 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
376 lb-ft of torque @ 1,300-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/25 mpg (RWD & AWD)