2019 Kia Stinger review
Kia Stinger highlights
Customer rating
RepairPal reliability rating
(data not available)
Pros
- Entertaining performance and handling
- Even more standard equipment for 2019
Cons
- Ride can be unsettled on poor roads
- Rear visibility is limited
Mileage (EPA estimate)
17 city, 25 highway, 20 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
Kia ups the standard equipment for its 2019 Stinger sport sedan
Kia's entry in the tough sport sedan market in 2018 surprised many, but its Stinger stands up well to its established competition. Among its rivals, the Stinger can count the BMW 3 Series, Genesis G70, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Jaguar XE, among others. Good looks count in its favor, and the low-slung, four-door with its fastback tailgate looks purposeful and muscular. The style is backed by a pair of engine choices that deliver good performance. The 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 that tops the two engine choices justifiably gets a lot of attention, but the Stinger works well with the 2.0-liter turbo on its two lower trim levels, too. Both engines drive the rear wheels as standard, via an eight-speed automatic transmission, but all-wheel drive is an option.
New for 2019 is the addition of the GTS trim level, fitting into the middle of the now six available trim levels: Base, Premium, GT, GTS, GT1, and GT2. All trims, even the Base, come with ample standard equipment. And compared to the luxury cars it rivals, the Stinger's standard equipment levels look very generous indeed. The Base comes with a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, and power-adjustable and heated front seats. A value proposition that has some real substance in how it drives, the Kia Stinger is well worth a look if you want a smart, sharp sport sedan.
All Kia Stinger years
What is new for the 2019 Kia Stinger?
- The Stinger is available in a new trim called the GTS.
- Stinger trims have been upgraded with Rear Seat Heaters, Remote Start, and CD Audio as standard equipment this year.
- Rear Spoiler features are now available as options on select trims.
- The Premium trim now comes with A/C Seat(s), Lane Departure Warning, and Blind Spot Monitor as standard equipment.
- The GT1 trim now comes with A/C Seat(s), Blind Spot Monitor, and Lane Departure Warning as standard equipment.
- The Base trim now comes with Blind Spot Monitor and Lane Departure Warning as standard equipment.
- The GT trim now comes with Blind Spot Monitor and Lane Departure Warning as standard equipment.
2019 Kia Stinger trims
Base:
18-inch alloy wheels
Leather seats
Heated and power-adjustable front seats
Blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert
Front and rear parking sensors
Seven-speaker sound system
Premium:
LED headlights
Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking
A 15-speaker Harmon Kardon surround-sound system
Lane-keeping assist
Adaptive cruise control
Sunroof
GT:
3.3L V6 engine
19-inch wheels
Locking rear differential
A nine-speaker sound system
Launch control & adaptive rear suspension dampers
GTS:
A combination of the Premium and GT features lists
Unique orange paint job
Drift mode setting on AWD variants
Imitation-suede steering wheel and carbon-fiber exterior parts
GT1:
Same features as Premium trim plus the 3.3L V6 engine as standard
Auto-dimming side mirrors
Ventilated front seats
Extra gauges
GT2:
Hands-free-opening trunk lid
Enhanced leather upholstery
Heated front and rear seats
360-degree parking cameras
Heads-up display
Kia Stinger photos
5 reasons to buy the 2019 Kia Stinger
1. Strong powerplants
The two available engines are really the secret weapon of the 2019 Kia Stinger. The base 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 255 horsepower, more than enough to get you moving quickly and smoothly. But the 3.3L V6 gets up to 365 horsepower—that's 110 more ponies under the hood. And with all powerplants mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, power and driving pleasure are never far away.
2. Good fuel economy numbers
You might think a midsize performance sedan with that much power is a recipe for gas-guzzling. However, the 2019 Kia Stinger can achieve an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined with the 2.0L four-cylinder engine, an EPA estimated 24 mpg when equipped with all-wheel-drive, and an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined with the 3.3L V6.
3. A spacious sedan
The 2019 Kia Stinger isn't just about performance though—far from it. It is still a midsize sedan, and despite the swooping hatchback roofline, it doesn't sacrifice anything in terms of space inside. Five seats and 95 cubic feet of space inside for passengers means everyone can fit in just fine with room to spare. Additionally, a further 23 cubic feet of cargo space means suitcases and bags are no problem for the practical Stinger.
4. Driving pleasure & convenience
The 2019 Kia Stinger comes with an impressive selection of tech and driver-convenience features, even on the base model. Alongside those already mentioned, features such as leather seats, a six-speaker sound system, blind-spot monitoring, and a seven-inch touchscreen are all included, even on the base Stinger model. Perhaps the most unique all-round combination is the limited-edition GTS trim; combining features standard on the Premium trim, including a 15-speaker Harmon Kardon® surround-sound system, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, and braking systems, along with the 3.3L V6 engine found on GT trims and a drift mode setting for when you really want to let the Stinger rip. You get convenience and comfort alongside performance with the 2019 Stinger.
5. It's different!
It's nice to stand out from the crowd and the 2019 Kia Stinger does just that. Kia makes some fantastic cars but this is the brand's first real foray into the performance-car market. If you want something a little different that will turn heads on the track as well as during your commute, or during a road trip with a friend, this car is a great choice. It might have a lot of competition but the Stinger is more than a match for any rival in its sector.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2019 Kia Stinger, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
Kia Cadenza
If you prioritize luxury and comfort above all else, the Stinger's bigger sibling, the Cadenza, is for you. It is a full-size sedan that offers all the tech features of the Stinger and trades off some of the performance for enhanced comfort and space inside. And when we say full-size, we do mean full-size; a whopping 108 cubic feet of passenger volume in the 2019 model means you and your passengers won't be lacking for legroom to stretch out in. And despite the car's size, the 2019 model will do an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined possible with the 3.3L V6 engine—including an estimated 27 mpg on the highway.
Kia Optima
As a midsize family sedan, the 2019 Kia Optima competes with the likes of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. This sleek and stylish sedan offers car buyers a luxurious and roomy interior with luxury-like styling and accents. Power-wise, there are four available engines. To start, there's the base LX engine: a 2.4L four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The EX gets a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Finally, the Optima SX trim is available with a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. A hybrid model is also available.
An upscale cabin with premium materials, exciting performance, and lots of standard tech features make the Genesis G70 a great choice. If you're looking for a roomy sedan that looks good and adds a sense of luxury to every ride, the G70 delivers. 2019-2021 models are powered by a standard turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine that puts out 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.
Standard features on the 2019-2021 Genesis G70 include:
18-inch wheels
Power-adjustable front seats
Eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
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Ratings & reliability
Kia Stinger features and specs
Base 2WD 4D Hatchback
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Parking Sensors
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Spoiler
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Harman Kardon Sound
- Navigation System
Drive Wheels
Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
2.0L
Horsepower
255
Torque (ft-lbs)
260
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
15.9
Wheelbase
114.4"
Overall length
190.2"
Width
73.6"
Height
55.1"
Leg room
F 42.6"/R 36.4"
Head room
F 38.3"/R 37"
Front tires
P225/45VR18
Rear tires
P225/45VR18
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2019 Kia Stinger FAQ
The 2019 Kia Stinger is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- Base : 22 MPG City and 29 MPG Highway
- Premium : 22 MPG City and 29 MPG Highway
- GT2 : 17 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
- GTS : 17 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
- GT1 : 17 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
- GT : 17 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
The 2019 Kia Stinger has received an average 4.9 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2019 Kia Stinger, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2019 Kia Stinger Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2019 Kia Stinger:
- GTS
- Rear Seat Heaters
- Remote Start
- CD Audio
- Blind Spot Monitor
More about the 2019 Kia Stinger
Color options
Exterior colors:
Aurora Black Pearl
Ceramic Silver
HiChroma Red
Micro Blue Pearl
Panthera Metal
Snow White Pearl
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