“Overall great car. Perfect mix of family and sporty, and it's definitely a looker.”
2018 Kia Stinger: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2018 Kia Stinger is an all-new model and the first Stinger sold in the U.S. Its headline feature is a practical fastback body paired with rear-wheel-drive-based handling and a choice of two turbo engines.
About the 2018 Kia Stinger
1st generation (CK), first U.S. model year / launch year.
Kia positioned the Stinger as a true grand-touring sport sedan rather than just a mainstream four-door with sporty styling. The core appeal is a rear-drive-based layout, strong turbo power, long-distance comfort, and hatchback usefulness in one car. Compared with rivals, the Stinger’s pitch is straightforward: give buyers the look and road manners of a European sport sedan, but with more cargo flexibility, a roomy cabin, and a less intimidating ownership experience.
Kia positioned the Stinger as its highest-performance production vehicle yet, with five trims spanning the simpler turbo-four base model to the more luxurious V6-powered GT2. The GT focuses on performance with a 365-hp twin-turbo V6, Brembo brakes, and launch control, while the GT2 adds Nappa leather, ventilated front seats, a head-up display, and the fullest safety suite.
What changed, by category
Structural
The Stinger launches as a five-passenger fastback sport sedan with a large rear hatch and 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space.
Powertrain
The lineup has a 255-hp turbo four-cylinder or a 365-hp twin-turbo V6. Every trim uses an 8-speed automatic transmission and Drive Mode Select, and AWD is offered.
Tech
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the lineup. Premium, GT1, and GT2 have an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 15-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
Safety
Front and rear parking sensors are standard on every trim. The GT2 has the lineup's full advanced driver-assistance suite as standard equipment.
2018 Kia Stinger specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.3 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.3 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.3 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 29 mpg | 29 mpg |
| Horsepower | 365 hp | 365 hp | 365 hp | 255 hp | 255 hp |
| Torque | 376 lb-ft | 376 lb-ft | 376 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 40.9 cu-ft | 40.9 cu-ft | 40.9 cu-ft | 40.9 cu-ft | 40.9 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 36.4 in | 36.4 in | 36.4 in | 36.4 in | 36.4 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4-Wheel Disc Brakes | |||||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Subwoofer | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Memory Steering Wheel | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
Is 2018 the first year of the Kia Stinger?
Yes. The 2018 Stinger is an all-new model and the first U.S. model year, so there is no earlier U.S. Stinger model to compare it with.
What engines are in the 2018 Kia Stinger?
The 2018 Stinger has either a 255-hp turbocharged four-cylinder or a 365-hp twin-turbo V6. The base and Premium trims use the four-cylinder, while GT, GT1, and GT2 trims use the V6; all have an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Is the 2018 Kia Stinger a sedan or a hatchback?
The 2018 Stinger is a fastback sport sedan with a large rear hatch. It seats five and provides 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space, giving it more everyday flexibility than a sedan with a conventional trunk.
What is the difference between the 2018 Stinger GT, GT1, and GT2?
All three use the 365-hp twin-turbo V6, but their focus differs. The GT emphasizes performance hardware, the GT1 adds navigation, premium audio, a sunroof, and an electronically controlled suspension, and the GT2 adds Nappa leather, ventilated front seats, a head-up display, a hands-free power hatch, and the full driver-assistance suite.
Does every 2018 Kia Stinger have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the entire 2018 Stinger lineup, along with heated front seats and front and rear parking sensors.
2018 Kia Stinger Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Kia Stinger.
4.5
2018 Kia Stinger
(242 reviews)
“I get lots of looks, when I drive it, actually had a police officer ask me what kind of car it is??? It's fun to drive, has good power, looks good, be prepared for people coming up to you and ask to look at it, I tell them to go take one for test drive!!!!”
“Very impressed even with the 2.0 engine. Make sure you at least get the premium as the Base has practically zero features”