Kia Stinger (2023)

TheTopher is strongly positive on the Kia Stinger GT2 AWD, calling it a remarkably capable all-round sport sedan. He praises its explosive twin-turbo V6, smooth automatic, excellent adaptive suspension, strong Brembo brakes, comfortable ride, practical liftback, long-distance driver aids, and generous features. He especially appreciates how easily it shifts from quiet grand tourer to genuinely entertaining performance car, with more grip and composure than the Genesis G70 he recently drove. Interior rattles and some economy-car switchgear undermine its polish, while all-season tires limit track ability and the car lacks emotional desirability. Still, he considers it an excellent, warranty-backed value.

The Straight Pipes remain warmly impressed by the Kia Stinger, though they prefer the original’s styling and sharper feel. They praise its satisfying launch control, balanced rear-biased all-wheel-drive handling, practical hatchback cargo area, comfortable rear seat, and strong value. The updated infotainment, cameras, badge, and exhaust are welcome improvements, but turbo lag, leisurely paddle shifts, artificial cabin sound, and frustrating SiriusXM controls make the car feel dated beside newer powertrains. Their most telling verdict is that a previous-generation Stinger would be just as appealing—and the refreshed Genesis G70 may now be the better buy.

Matt Watson is strongly impressed by the Kia Stinger, calling it a shortlist-worthy performance bargain. He praises the glorious twin-turbo V6, rear-wheel-drive balance, connected steering, standard Brembo brakes, fun handling, comfort, generous equipment, and seven-year warranty. His measured 0–60 run reached 4.97 seconds, reinforcing the car’s real-world pace. Still, he points out dated USB ports, mediocre rear visibility, fake vents, a wobbly center console, limited rear headroom, modest boot space, and less polished ride comfort than a Volkswagen Arteon. Overall, its distinctive styling, practicality, and V6 performance make it a compelling alternative to pricier German rivals.

ReDriven is strongly enthusiastic about the Kia Stinger as a used performance bargain. It praises the stylish hatchback body, excellent practicality, engaging yet comfortable driving experience, powerful engines, quality interior, and unusually generous seven-year warranty. The review’s research suggests reliability is generally solid, with isolated engine issues but more notable concerns around air-conditioning compressors, rear differentials, and Brembo-brake shudder. Owners should check service history, tires, accident damage, rattles, and aftermarket modifications. Despite acknowledging firm suspension and limited steering nuance near the limit, ReDriven considers the Stinger exceptionally hard to beat for performance, space, and ownership value.

Automotive Anonymous is strongly positive about the 2023 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD, calling it one of Kia’s coolest and best performance cars. He enjoys its punchy 368-hp twin-turbo V6, confident handling, Brembo brakes, luxury feel, visibility, and genuinely useful hatchback cargo space. His GPS test recorded 0–60 mph in 4.97 seconds at high altitude, reinforcing its real-world pace. Still, he questions its roughly $50,000 price against faster or more distinctive alternatives, criticizes the fake vents, limited rear-seat space, modest fuel range, and heavy curb weight. Overall, he enthusiastically recommends test-driving this rare, capable final-year Stinger.

Zack Pradel is highly enthusiastic about the 2023 Kia Stinger GT2, calling it an exceptional performance bargain. He praises its twin-turbo V6, responsive automatic transmission, confident ride, premium-feeling cabin, physical controls, comfortable rear seats, and generous hatchback cargo space. The Grand Tour Edition’s suede trim and red accents add appeal, though he considers the package fairly modest and criticizes visibility. His standout insight is that the Stinger was “the right car for the wrong manufacturer”: it could challenge a BMW 3 Series, but Kia’s economy-car image limited buyer acceptance and ultimately contributed to its cancellation.

Joe Rady is highly enthusiastic about the 2023 Kia Stinger GT-Line, calling it a fun, engaging sport sedan that feels more expensive than its $38,000 price. He praises the 300-hp turbocharged engine, quick-shifting eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive balance, supportive seats, quiet cabin, distinctive fastback styling, and genuinely useful 23.3-cubic-foot cargo area. Compared with the redesigned Honda Accord, the Stinger gives up some fuel economy, display size, and technology, while lacking a sunroof and using a merely adequate backup camera. Still, Rady views its driving character and practicality as unmatched—and genuinely regrets its discontinuation.

Thomas and James remain positive about the Kia Stinger, though its novelty has faded. They praise the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6’s effortless torque, quick acceleration, balanced rear-drive-based chassis, distinctive styling, upscale materials, and practicality. They argue it still makes a compelling enthusiast alternative to a Kia K5 and a performance bargain against four-cylinder German rivals. However, the aging technology, basic gauge cluster, touchscreen-only controls, choppy ride, interior creaking, and limited updates keep it from feeling truly luxurious. Their conclusion is warmly favorable: the Stinger remains a cool, capable underdog, just less groundbreaking than before.

TheSketchMonkey is genuinely enthusiastic about the 2023 Kia Stinger GT2, calling it a future icon and a beautiful, unusually capable sport hatchback. He praises its distinctive styling, upscale red-and-silver cabin, comfortable rear-seat space, quick shifts, adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes, and surprisingly strong daily usability. The twin-turbo V6 feels exciting and sounds good, though he notices some turbo lag and wishes he could compare the GT2 with lower trims. His only real reservations are minor styling preferences and the dated-looking climate controls. Overall, he views the discontinued Stinger as an exceptional performance bargain with possible collector appeal.

April’s Garage is genuinely impressed by the Kia Stinger GT2, calling it a surprising hidden secret rather than a compromised Kia. After driving this 111,000-mile example, the hosts praise its strong acceleration, responsive automatic transmission, composed sport-touring ride, comfortable ventilated Nappa leather seats, useful controls, and upscale-feeling interior. They also favor its styling—especially the side and rear profile—and see it as a smarter, less intimidating used buy than a similarly priced Maserati Quattroporte. Still, the fake vents, aging exterior trim, synthetic-looking details, muted engine note, and finicky electronic shifter temper the presentation. Overall, their enthusiasm is unmistakable: both would choose the Stinger.

W.T.F Car Reviews is highly enthusiastic about the 2023 Kia Stinger GT2. He praises its explosive twin-turbo V6, sharp steering, composed ride, Brembo brakes, premium Nappa-leather cabin, excellent audio, and unusually generous standard equipment for roughly $54,000. The liftback practicality and distinctive styling strengthen its value against cars like the BMW M340i. His main reservations are that AWD replaces the sticky Michelin summer tires with all-seasons, the engine feels slightly slow to rev, and a few exterior details seem unfinished. Even so, he calls it an exceptional luxury-performance bargain and hopes Kia brings it back.

Anthony from Hawkeye Rides is highly enthusiastic about the 2023 Kia Stinger GT2, calling it an exceptional performance bargain. He praises its 368-hp twin-turbo V6, throaty exhaust, Brembo brakes, quick acceleration, hatchback practicality, roomy rear seat, and luxury-like technology, especially compared with the BMW M340i, Audi S4, and Mercedes-AMG C43. The Stinger feels engaging in corners and offers impressive equipment for roughly $50,000. Criticisms include noticeable wind noise, limited passenger-seat adjustment, a smaller blind-spot display, light steering in Sport mode, and a $1,000 surcharge for the appearance package, but these seem minor beside its performance and value.

JQ Cars is highly enthusiastic about the 2023 Kia Stinger GT2 after a month of ownership. He loves its quick twin-turbo V6, confident handling, adaptive comfort, upscale cabin, hatchback practicality, and value, calling it an easy “8 out of 10 plus” at $39,999 CPO. He especially appreciates that it matches his Charger’s speed while being more comfortable and usable. Reservations include limited interior storage, USB-A-only ports, reflective piano-black trim, awkward footroom in back, fake exterior vents and exhaust tips, fading trim, and wipers that can damage the hood paint. Overall, his recommendation is emphatic.

Keshawn is highly enthusiastic about the Kia Stinger, rating it 9/10 despite several quality issues. He loves its speed, sporty character, hatchback practicality, and especially the clear difference between Sport, Eco, and Normal modes compared with his Genesis G70. However, the red leather seats are already beginning to warp, the remote start has never worked because of an unresolved software problem, and the ambient lighting feels undersized and nearly pointless. Even with those shortcomings, his excitement remains strong, and he is already planning new rims.

LeXx Dynamic views the Kia Stinger as an affordable, reliable, and genuinely fun car. They appreciate its quick performance, hatchback practicality, roomy cabin, and strong value, with an assistant calling it “a lot of bang for the buck.” The review stays lighthearted and conversational, including a look at the spacious back seat while loading synthesizers. The main criticism is the suspension, which both describe as somewhat rough and in need of improvement. Overall, LeXx Dynamic’s tone is clearly favorable, though the brief review offers only limited detail beyond its practical strengths and ride-quality drawback.

Jacob takes a moderately enthusiastic view of the Kia Stinger’s supposedly dated interior. He prefers its physical controls, noting that heated seats and climate settings are immediately accessible instead of buried in menus. He also favors the analogue-style dials over a fully digital dashboard and considers Android Auto enough to offset the older infotainment screen. His broader point is that the cabin is simple, functional, and genuinely driver-focused. While he acknowledges the dated design and limited digital tech, his confidence that everything works well makes the overall verdict clearly positive, though measured rather than glowing.