“I look forward to driving the car to do all my errands. It makes it feel like a fun experience rather than a chore to be accomplished. I love it when people comment on how nice the car looks. I am happy when I approach it in a parking lot because it is such a lovely upscale car.”
2021 Kia Stinger: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2021 Kia Stinger is a carryover from 2020 with no major product changes. Its only update was a red interior option for Panthera Gray V6 cars, a minor color combination rather than new equipment.
About the 2021 Kia Stinger
1st generation Stinger (2018-2023), fourth model year and last pre-refresh year before the 2022 update.
The 2021 Stinger is Kia's sport sedan for drivers who want rear-drive balance, strong turbo power, and more cargo flexibility than a traditional trunk offers. Kia pitches it as its highest-performance car, aimed at premium sport-sedan shoppers who like fastback styling and engaging road manners but still need everyday usability, a roomy cabin, and strong tech features in one package.
The GT-Line is the everyday version, pairing a 255-hp turbo four with heated leather-trimmed seats, smartphone integration, and blind-spot monitoring. GT, GT1, and GT2 step up to a 365-hp twin-turbo V6; GT1 adds adaptive suspension, navigation, premium audio, and ventilated front seats, while GT2 adds Nappa leather, heated rear seats, a 360-degree camera, and a head-up display.
2021 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 |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 29 mpg |
| Horsepower | 365 hp | 365 hp | 365 hp | 255 hp |
| Torque | 376 lb-ft | 376 lb-ft | 376 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 23.3 cu-ft | 23.3 cu-ft | 23.3 cu-ft | 23.3 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 36.4 in | 36.4 in | 36.4 in | 36.4 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4-Wheel Disc Brakes | ||||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| 360 Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| LED Headlights | ||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Subwoofer | ||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||
| Memory Steering Wheel | ||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2021 Kia Stinger compared with the 2020 model?
The 2021 Kia Stinger received no major product changes from 2020. The lone update was a red interior option paired with Panthera Gray paint on V6 models.
Is the 2021 Kia Stinger the refreshed model?
No. The 2021 Kia Stinger is the last model year before the 2022 refresh, which brought revised front and rear styling, a stronger base engine, a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen, and a broader safety suite.
Which 2021 Kia Stinger trims have the twin-turbo V6?
The 2021 Stinger GT, GT1, and GT2 have the 365-hp twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6. The GT-Line uses a 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
Did the 2021 Kia Stinger get a larger touchscreen or expanded safety features?
No. The 2021 Stinger carried over without those upgrades; the standard 10.25-inch touchscreen and broader safety suite arrived with the 2022 refresh.
2021 Kia Stinger Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Kia Stinger.
4.4
2021 Kia Stinger
(95 reviews)
“The vehicle handles extremely well and is so much fun to drive. The vehicle acceleration is amazing. It drives smoothly and is a quiet drive. The back seats are roomy and comfortable as well. The trunk is more of a hatchback but still roomy.”
“It's a sleeper, so it doesn't look fast, but is pretty quick. I love the fact that it doesn't scream "I AM A FAST M***F***". I like a little mystery...”
Sources
- kiamedia.com — Documenttext / 16552 / 2021 Stinger Overview
- kiamedia.com — Documenttext / 16551 / Whats New 2021 Stinger
- kiamedia.com — Documenttext / 15679 / Whats New 2020 Stinger
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 17205 / 2022 Stinger Overview
- kiamedia.com — Stinger / 2021 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Stinger / 2022 / Features