Specs: 2018 Kia Stinger GT Rivals Upscale Cars Twice its Price

Every passing year, the lines between luxury and mainstream cars get a little blurrier as premium brands continue to add smaller, more affordable models and companies like Kia—formerly a stalwart of the entry-level market segments—reach into upscale territory with cars like the Stinger.

Here’s our complete 2018 Stinger GT review with driving impressions.

Kia is quite clear about its aspirations for this car: to prove it can engineer a vehicle to compete with established German and Japanese sports sedans. And while we initially thought the Stinger was indeed a sedan, we were pleasantly surprised to discover it’s actually a fastback, with a large trunk accessed through a tailgate. That creates a design link to cars like the Porsche Panamera, Audi A7 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, any of which could have served as inspiration for the Stinger’s styling.

Attention-Seeking Stinger Looks

But never mind what cars Kia hopes the Stinger GT can emulate at its US$38,350 or C$49,995 starting price: It attracts a lot of attention in its own right. A woman in the grocery store parking lot knew more about the car than I did; when we crossed back into Canada after a road trip to the U.S., the customs officer had many enthusiastic questions, and a couple of guys in a Corvette challenged us to a race on Ontario’s busy Highway 401 through Toronto (obviously, we declined, which is fine because they would have won anyway).

Summary of top styling features:

• Fastback sedan design
• Signature Kia tiger-nose grille with dark chrome finish.
• LED headlights with Dynamic Bending Light technology
• 19-inch alloy wheels designed for performance
• Visible Brembo calipers
• Dual twin-exhaust tips
• Functional front and rear vents
• Distinctive LED taillights and a rear spoiler
• A range of colour options, including vibrant choices
• Power-folding outside mirrors and chrome accents

2018 Kia Stinger GT Engine & Performance

• Engine: 3.3L twin-turbocharged V6
• Horsepower: 365 horsepower
• Torque: 376 lb-ft of torque
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission
• Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive (standard); all-wheel drive (optional)
• 0-60 mph Acceleration: Approximately 4.7 seconds
• Top Speed: Estimated at around 167 mph
• Brakes: Brembo brakes (four-piston front calipers, two-piston rear calipers)
• Suspension: MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension
• Wheels: 19-inch alloy wheels

Kia has baked-in performance to back up that head-turning appearance, with a 3.3L twin-turbo V6 making 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. Those are pretty average-sounding numbers for a sporty car these days, but it nonetheless makes the Stinger feel very quick at city speeds and thoroughly competent as a highway driver.

It’s worth noting the 2022 Kia Stinger GT gained significant improvements, including more power.

Standard All-Wheel Drive

All-wheel drive is standard, an arrangement we appreciate for its efficient power application in fair weather and for adding traction in foul conditions. While all 2018 models use our tester’s potent V6, Kia will add a four-cylinder engine next year, offering less power at a lower price.

Presumably, that smaller engine will also promise fuel consumption lower than the V6’s estimates of 12.7/9.6 L/100 km (city/highway); our tester averaged about 9.5 L/100 km in more than 1,000 km of highway driving.

Stinger GT Suspension and Drive Modes

The Stinger’s standard suspension is an adjustable setup whose firmness changes according to the drive mode you choose. In its most compliant setting, the Stinger’s ride comfort rivals the poshest luxury sedans you can think of.

Unlike many performance cars with multiple suspension settings, even the firm sport mode was chill enough to be comfortable on most of the roads we traveled. In fact, we wished it was even a bit firmer during the opportunities we had to test the Stinger’s cornering abilities. Toggling sport mode also makes the throttle more responsive and commands the eight-speed transmission to let the engine gain some revs before shifting, for a sportier feel.

Stinger GT Wheel and Brake Specs:

2018 Kia Stinger GT Interior

The Stinger boasts front seats perfectly comfortable for long-haul driving, and the rear is more than adequate for adults, despite some of the car’s long wheelbase being sacrificed for the space-inefficient longitudinal driveline layout. That drivetrain has little effect we can discern on a vast trunk that can be expanded by folding the rear seats.

One of my few misgivings about this car is Kia’s decision to attach such an aggressive-sounding name to it. Don’t get me wrong: The Stinger is a great performer, but there’s a lot more to it than getting places quickly.

Here’s a summary of the GT’s interior features:

• Leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats
• 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with four-way lumbar support
• Leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel with mounted controls
• Supervision cluster with a 7-inch color LCD display
• An 8-inch touchscreen display featuring Kia’s UVO infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility
• Harman Kardon premium audio system with 15 speakers and Clari-Fi technology
• Dual-zone automatic climate control allows both driver and passenger
• Ambient lighting available in multiple colors
• Generous cargo space with a practical hatchback design and 60/40 split-folding rear seats
• Wireless phone charging, head-up display, and electronic parking brake

2018 Kia Stinger GT Price & Value:

Taken as a whole, the Stinger feels more expensive than its starting price, and its performance and quality still feel like a bargain. That’s a phenomenon we’ve become accustomed to in Kia’s recent models, but the company has taken that concept a lot further here, creating a vehicle that deserves to be considered alongside some of the world’s best upscale cars.

Stinger GT Photos:

© Amee Reehal