“I love my Stinger. The only thing I've noticed since buying it is that the seats are not comfortable for long drives, yet the headrests are the best I've ever had.”
Kia Stinger: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Kia Stinger is a large fastback sport sedan known for strong turbocharged performance, rear-drive-based handling, and the everyday usefulness of a large rear hatch. It gives drivers the pace and style of a premium sport sedan without sacrificing long-distance comfort or practical cargo space.
The Stinger was Kia’s performance-focused grand tourer throughout its single 2018-2023 generation. Its defining formula was consistent: sleek fastback styling, strong acceleration, a comfort-minded cabin, and more cargo flexibility than a conventional sedan. Updates strengthened the engines, technology, and safety features, but never changed that basic blend of speed and everyday usability.
Strengths
- The fastback design hides a large rear hatch, giving the Stinger more useful cargo access than a conventional sedan.
- Strong turbo engines are central to its appeal, with the 2023 lineup spanning from 300 horsepower in GT-Line to 368 horsepower in GT2.
- Its rear-drive-based layout gives it the proportions and driving character of a traditional sport sedan.
- The cabin balances performance with comfort, making the Stinger well suited to commuting and longer trips.
- Safety equipment improved over time, with blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings becoming standard across the lineup for 2019 and a broader standard safety suite arriving for 2022.
Who it's for
The Stinger suits someone who wants a quick, stylish daily driver but still needs space for passengers, luggage, or a road trip. It is especially appealing to shoppers considering a premium sport sedan who value practicality and comfort as much as performance.
Kia Stinger lineup
GT-Line is the practical entry point in later years, pairing GT-inspired styling with a turbo four-cylinder engine; since the 2022 refresh, that engine makes a substantial 300 horsepower. Step into the V6 GT family when stronger acceleration is the priority, with GT, GT1, and GT2 sharing the same basic performance hardware in the years they were sold together. GT2 is the enduring upper V6 model and one of only two trims carried into the final 2023 lineup. Earlier base and Premium versions represent the original four-cylinder side of the range before GT-Line replaced that structure for 2020.
Kia Stinger generations
From 2018 to 2023, the Stinger spans 1 generation. The current 1st Generation — CK arrived for 2018.
1st Generation — CK (2018–2023)
The Stinger launched as a fastback sport sedan with a large rear hatch, rear-wheel drive or AWD, and four-cylinder or V6 turbo power. A substantial 2022 refresh brought updated styling, a larger standard touchscreen, stronger engines, and more standard safety features.
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2023Trim changes
The U.S. lineup was reduced to two trims, GT-Line and GT2, for the final regular model year.
2022Mid-cycle update
Refreshed styling, a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen, more safety features, and stronger engines arrived. The separate GT trim left the U.S. lineup.
2021
Mostly carried over from 2020, apart from a new interior color pairing on some V6 models.
2020Trim changes
GT-Line replaced the previous base four-cylinder and Premium trim structure. The rear badge moved to the center of the liftgate.
2019Trim changes
The GTS special edition joined late in the year. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning became standard across the lineup.
2018New generation
The all-new Stinger debuted with a large rear hatch, rear-wheel drive or AWD, and a choice of two turbo engines.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Kia Stinger.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Kia Stinger?
The Kia Stinger is a five-seat sport sedan with a sleek fastback shape and a large rear hatch. It combines strong acceleration and a rear-drive-based layout with the comfort and cargo usefulness expected from an everyday car.
Is the Kia Stinger a hatchback or a sedan?
It is officially a sedan, but its rear window and trunk lid lift together like a hatchback. That fastback design creates a wide cargo opening and gives the Stinger 23.3 cubic feet of cargo room in the latest lineup.
Does the Kia Stinger come as a hybrid?
No. Every Kia Stinger uses a gasoline turbo engine. Depending on the year and trim, it has either a four-cylinder engine or a more powerful twin-turbo V6.
Is the Kia Stinger rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive?
The Stinger uses a rear-wheel-drive-based layout. Used examples may have rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on the trim and original specification.
What is the Kia Stinger known for?
The Stinger is known for blending quick acceleration and sporty handling with long-distance comfort and useful cargo space. Its liftback-style rear opening also makes it more practical than a conventional sport sedan.
Is the Kia Stinger practical enough for daily use?
Yes. It seats five, has four doors and provides 36.4 inches of rear legroom in the latest lineup. Its large rear hatch and 23.3-cubic-foot cargo area are useful for luggage, groceries and other everyday loads.
Who is the Kia Stinger a good fit for?
It suits someone who wants sports-car-like power without giving up four doors, a usable back seat or flexible cargo space. Four-cylinder versions emphasize everyday balance, while V6 versions put more focus on acceleration.
How many generations of the Kia Stinger are there?
There is one Kia Stinger generation in the U.S., covering the 2018 through 2023 model years. The major update came for 2022, bringing revised styling, larger standard touchscreen technology and stronger engines.
Kia Stinger Reviews
What owners are saying about the Kia Stinger.
4.5
Kia Stinger
(802 reviews)
“The car is a performance bargain! Tons of features, outstanding acceleration from a V-6, comfortable and has a great style, rivaled by none! Drive it. you'll love it!”
“This car is amazing! Performance in every aspect is spot on. I wish they were not going out of production. I would own this model for life.”
“It is a really fun car to drive but the lane keep assist has trouble on hard turns.”
“The Stinger lives up to its image as a roomy, performance car with extreme good looks.”
“It's a great compromise of quality and performance that can serve older or younger drivers.”
Sources
- kiamedia.com — Models / Stinger / 2023
- kiamedia.com — Stinger / 2023 / Features
- kia.com — Us / Brochures / MY23 Sedan Brochure Stinger 2023
- kiamedia.com — Models / Stinger / 2022
- kiamedia.com — Stinger / 2022 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 19754 / Exclusive Stinger Tribute Edition Celebrates Kias High Performance Vision
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 17205 / 2022 Stinger Overview
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 17618 / 2022 Kia Stinger Earns Iihs Top Safety Pickplus Award
- kiamedia.com — Stinger / 2021 / Whatsnew
- kiamedia.com — Stinger / 2021 / Features
- kia.com — Us / Brochures / Brochure Stinger 2022
- kiamedia.com — Documenttext / 16552 / 2021 Stinger Overview