fbpx
Newspress Awards 2024 wide

Automotive Website of the Year

Automotive Website of the Year

Newspress Awards 2024 wide

Automotive Website of the Year

Automotive Website of the Year

Find an Expert Rating: 
Used Car Expert Rating

Kia Stinger (2018 to 2022)

Expert Rating

Used car score:

58
%
D

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

66
%
C

Safety Rating:

71
%
C

Eco Rating:

48
%
C

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

31
%
E

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

Used car score:

58
%
D

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

66
%
C

Safety Rating:

71
%
C

Eco Rating:

48
%
C

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

31
%
E

Summary

When the Kia Stinger launched in the winter of 2017/18, it was something very different and distinctive from the Korean brand, described by its designers as a Grand Tourer for long-distance motoring and with an exterior shape apparently partially inspired by a Coca-Cola bottle.

Most reviewers praised the Stinger as evidence of how far Kia has progressed as a manufacturer. When first on sale in 2017, the Stinger was available with two petrol or a diesel engine. However as part of an update in 2020 only the 3.3-litre turbo petrol unit was retained, its 370hp put through an eight-speed auto-manual gearbox and Kia quoting a 4.9-second 0-62mph time.

Testers liked the potency of this engine. Carbuyer said it beats its sportiest rival in the Audi range for power and added; “We reckon the Kia is even more entertaining to drive than the four-wheel-drive Audi RS5 Sportback quattro, which is far more expensive.”   

The Kia’s price became even more attractive when its specification is taken into account; “It comes loaded with equipment,” said Carbuyer, pointing out the wireless phone charging, powered tailgate, 360-degree camera, sunroof and top-level sound system, as well as the Kia standard seven-year warranty.

That body shape did have some drawbacks, however. While rear seat headroom was better than one might expect, Motors.co.uk pointed out that the 406-litre boot “is a bit behind the rest of the class.”

Overall, however, the car’s distinctive looks and exclusivity won it fans, Top Gear concluding; “There’s more than enough to like here for the Kia Stinger to deserve its albeit small following.”

Kia announced in November 2022 that the Stinger had been permanently withdrawn from sale in the UK, although it remained available in other markets around the world for a while longer.

As of May 2024, the Kia Stinger holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 58%. It gets average grades for its safety rating, CO2 emissions and media review scores, while its running costs are very high.

Stinger highlights

  • Distinctive, bold looks
  • Rear-drive powertrain aids handling
  • Seven-year warranty
  • Extensive equipment adds value

Stinger lowlights

  • Badge still turns some off
  • Big engine costs in economy and emissions
  • Boot not as big as rivals
  • Intrusive stability and traction electronics

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door liftback
Engines: petrol
Price when new: From £42,655 on-road

Launched: Winter 2017/18
Last updated: Summer 2020
End of production: Late 2022

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Business Car

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Company Car Today

+

Evo

+

Green Car Guide

+

Honest John

+

Motors

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Sunday Times

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2017
Date expired: January 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 81%
Vulnerable road users: 78%
Safety assist: 82%

Notes on safety rating

The Kia Stinger was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2017 and awarded a five-star rating. Testers praised the standard-fit autonomous emergency braking system, awarding it maximum points in one of the tests. However its rear passenger protection was criticised in one test simulating an impact with a full-width barrier.  

However, this rating expired in January 2024 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used Stinger to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Kia Sportage was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life. However, being a performance car powered a 3.3-litre petrol V6 engine, it didn’t win any environmental awards…

Reliability rating

MotorEasy logo 600x167

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of May 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Kia Stinger to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Stinger, we’ll publish the score here.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Kia Stinger has received

2018

  • UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Performance Car
  • iF Design Awards – Product Design
  • Motor Trader Awards – New Car of the Year
  • Tow Car Awards – Best Petrol Tow Car

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Kia Stinger, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Alfa Romeo Giulia | Audi A4 | Audi A5 Sportback | BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé | Mercedes-Benz CLA | Peugeot 508 | Volkswagen Arteon

The Kia Stinger’s price put it in the mid range of its obvious rivals. It was a more distinctive and less common car than mainstream large saloons such as the Ford Mondeo and Peugeot 508, and for those who are not badge conscious, a more value-pitched option to executive models such as the Audi A5 Sportback or BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

More news, reviews and information about the Kia Stinger at The Car Expert

Everything you need to know about Kia

Everything you need to know about Kia

Kia Stinger gets tech upgrades and styling tweaks

Kia Stinger gets tech upgrades and styling tweaks

Kia Stinger GT-Line test drive

Kia Stinger GT-Line test drive

Kia Stinger GT S review

Kia Stinger GT S review

£32K buys Kia Stinger flagship GT

£32K buys Kia Stinger flagship GT

Detroit show: Kia Stinger targets the Germans

Detroit show: Kia Stinger targets the Germans

Buy a Kia Stinger

If you’re looking to buy a used Kia Stinger, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car

Motors 600x300

Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple. Find out more

Auto Trader logo 600x300

Search for your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more

Carwow logo 600x300

Discover great deals available on both new and used cars. Find out more

Subscribe to a Kia Sportage

If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

Mycardirect subscriptions – 600x300

Car subscriptions from Mycardirect.
Find out more

Wagonex logo 2023 600x300

Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
Find out more

Cocoon Vehicles logo 600x300

Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
Find out more

Used car finance

Looking for an alternative to dealer finance? The Car Expert's partners can help
We Finance Any Car 400x200

Used car finance from We Finance Any Car. Find out more

CreditPlus logo 2025 600x300

Used car finance from Creditplus.
Find out more

Carki logo 600x300px

Used car finance from Carki. Find out more

Sell your car

Do you have a car to sell? The Car Expert's partners can offer you a great price
Motorway 600x300

Get a free valuation in seconds from Motorway.
Find out more

Auto Trader logo 600x300

Get a cash offer for your car in minutes from Auto Trader.
Find out more

Carwow logo 600x300

The free, easy way to get 3,000+ dealers bidding on your car. Find out more

Best car rankings

The top cars in every category

The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, analysing scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating. We're adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

This page last updated:

This page contains links to some of our commercial partners. If you click on any of those links, we may receive a commission.

The Kia Stinger was one of the fastest and most distinctive car in the Korean brand's range with only its badge keeping Audi and BMW buyers at bay. Kia Stinger (2018 to 2022)