DecodedCarsKia Stinger
6 model years from 2018 to 2023, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2018–2023
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Latest engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.3L 6-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 25–25 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2023)
- Recalls
- 7 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2018 (71)
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 10,557 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2023 Stinger in brief
The 2023 Kia Stinger is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl turbo and 3.3L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 190 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,129 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 32 highway), 7% worse than the 2023 midsize car average of 27 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the structure.
The Kia Stinger has 6 model years in our data, from 2018 to 2023.
Its most efficient year was 2023 at 25 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 25 to 25 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the engine (49), electrical system (32), fuel/propulsion system (25).
Buying used? 2023 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2018 is the year to avoid.
2020 has the most recalls (6); all years together count 7 campaigns and 171 owner complaints.
How the 2018 Stinger compares
The 2018 Kia Stinger is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.3L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 190 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,129 lb.
About the Kia Stinger
The Kia Stinger is a mid-size liftback/fastback manufactured by Kia between 2017 and 2023.
From the Wikipedia article "Kia Stinger", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2023 Stinger pros & cons
Full 2023 details →What's good
- Strong performanceUp to 368 hp, versus about 260 hp for similar 2023 models.
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
- Few owner complaints5 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 26 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
2023 Stinger
5 owner complaints · 1 recall · 1 crash report
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2018 Stinger
71 owner complaints · 4 recalls · 5 fire reports · 2 crash reports
Most reported: Engine
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 6 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Stinger changes by model year
- 2022
- Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- 2020
- Lightest version 318 lb heavier
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2019
- Lightest version 318 lb lighter
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 6 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.3L 6-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 190.2 in | 4,129 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.3L 6-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 190.2 in | 4,129 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 18 |
| 2021 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.3L 6-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 190.2 in | 4,129 lb | ★★★★★ | 5 | 17 |
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.3L 6-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 190.2 in | 4,129 lb | ★★★★★ | 6 | 16 |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.3L 6-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 190.2 in | 3,812 lb | Not rated | 3 | 44 |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.3L 6-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 190.2 in | 4,129 lb | Not rated | 4 | 71 |
Alternatives to the 2023 Stinger
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Toyota Corolla | 50 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2023 Honda Civic | 36 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2023 Ford Mustang | 25 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2023 Honda Accord | 48 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2023 Toyota Crown | 41 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2023 Toyota Camry | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →