2024 Kia Stinger

For almost any modern vehicle category, there’s a Kia that’s worth considering buying. Among small and midsized SUVs, models like the Sportage and Sorento rank near the top in their respective classes for their nice interiors, ride comfort, and appropriately powerful engines. SUVs like the Telluride have ride comfort, interior space, and overall value that earn it regular placement near the top of Consumer Reports’ ratings. Fuel economy across the brand is generally good, but hybrid and plug-in hybrid options are available for even more miles per gallon. Plug-in hybrid options have useful all-electric driving range. Kia EVs are generally competent, ranging from compact sedans up to a three-row SUV. Kia’s reliability scores have been improving, but other brands score higher in our rankings. Specific Kia models have earned our recommendation among used cars.

Kia, a car brand better known for practical transportation and value, has branched into sports-sedan territory with the Stinger, a low-slung four-door hatchback. The Stinger is a rear-wheel-drive car (all-wheel drive is available), and it has nimble handling that can be playful on a track. On the down side, the ride is stiff and a bit unsettled. Two engines are offered: a standard 255-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and a punchy 365-hp, 3.3-liter turbo V6. It sits a bit low, making getting in and out difficult, and rear headroom is marginal. Once inside, passengers will find it roomy. Most of the controls are fairly easy to use, but drivers may find it a long reach to the touch screen. Advanced safety systems, such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, lane keeping assistance, are available but may be hard to find. A freshening for 2022 brought a larger, more powerful engine for the turbo four-cylinder version. It also included standard forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, and driver-attention warning, as well as adaptive cruise control. A 10.25-inch center display is now standard for 2022.