Used 2018 Kia Stinger GT1

The Kia Stinger comes two engine options, a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine with twin turbochargers and direct injection to make 255 horsepower in the base and Premium models. GT trims are equipped with a 3.3L V6 engine sporting twin-turbochargers and making 365 horsepower. Neither engine produces anything other than quick acceleration when pressed, but the bigger V6 provides levels of thrust that will leave plenty of sports cars in the dust.

An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard across the whole range while all-wheel drive is a $2,200 option on any trim level. However, Kia still claims that 21 mpg in combined city and highway driving is achievable with the bigger engine in RWD equipped Stingers.

Standard equipment on the base 2.0L includes power folding and heated mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, projector beam headlights, LED daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, a rear-view camera, park distance control, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise control buttons, paddle shifters, a smart key with push button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seating surfaces, a 12-way power adjustable driver's seat and an 8-way power adjustable passenger seat and of course heating for those front seats.

Premium trim adds to the bells and whistles. Included with the premium trim is a large sunroof, full LED headlights and brake lights, a bigger, 8-inch touchscreen with voice command integration, a 15-speaker, 720-watt Harman/Kardon sound system, a 7-inch screen in the gauge cluster, a memory function on the seats and a high gloss black interior trim.

GT models come with the bigger 3.3L engine, though buyers will have to step up to the GT1 to get levels of equipment on par with the Premium trim as the standard GT and the Premium are similarly priced. However, a couple of notable things come with the GT, including 19-inch wheels and 9-speaker stereo that, while not as nice as the 15-speaker Harman/Kardon unit, is still nicer than the 6-speaker version that comes on the base trim.

The top of the line GT2 trim comes with some pretty serious kit. Immediately noticeable from the outside are unique front and rear bumpers, along with lots of pretty black chrome accents. Inside, the GT2 comes standard with a bevy of safety systems such as a rear cross traffic alert system and a forward collision warning system. The various devices that enable those systems also enable an advanced cruise control system that can vary speed with traffic. Also standard on the GT2 is a heads up display, quilted Napa leather seating, ventilation for the front seats and a navigation system.

Sleek Styling

Sporty Chassis

Powerful Engine Options

Available All-wheel Drive

Surprisingly Practical

Well-equipped

The Kia Stinger is an important vehicle for Kia-- it's their first serious attempt at producing a true rear-wheel drive sports sedan. While Kia has previously been known for their compact value-oriented vehicles, the automaker has begun reaching up-market, recently with their luxurious K900 and now with the sporty Stinger. Kia designed the Stinger with one eye on European sport sedans from BMW and Audi and the other eye on keeping the price point in Kia territory

The entry-level Stinger starts at about $31,900, putting cars like the ubiquitous BMW 3-Series and the Audi A4 squarely in its crosshairs. The Stinger is actually a little bigger than those cars, putting it closer in size to the upmarket 5-series and Audi A6. Fortunately, the Stinger doesn't feel big-- handling performance is strong, especially for an automaker not traditionally not known for its performance-oriented designs.

The Stinger's high-output engine lineup, bold styling and strong equipment means Kia can now be directly compared to the best European sedans available. The Kia is priced starting in the low $30k making it a much better value than just about any sport sedan out there.