Review and specifications

2021 Kia Stinger

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.

Market value

$24,275

Fuel

Conventional

Transmission

Automatic

Seats

5