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Kia Stinger

Stinger GT: Kia's 365-hp twin-turbo V6 takes aim at Audi and BMW.1

Researched November 2, 2026 from 29 sources

Also called

  • working man's Porsche PanameraA comparison recognizing its mix of sporty styling, practicality and a friendlier price.2
  • Korean cruise missileIts size, comfort and power earned this description of its high-speed cruising ability.2

At a glance

0200400
194–368 hpPower
0510
4.6–8.5 s0–100 km/h
0150300
209.2–270 km/hTop speed
0300600
353–510 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,638–1,913 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.31012

Engine
2.0/2.5 L turbo I4; GT: 3.3 L twin-turbo V6; 2.2 L CRDi diesel I41310
Layout
Front engine; rear-wheel or all-wheel drive12
Gearbox
8-speed automatic with paddle shifters3
Built at
Sohari, South Korea; Avtotor, Russia; ASAV, Kazakhstan3

The story

Kia's halo car, the CK Stinger (2017–2023), targeted German luxury rivals with Genesis G70 underpinnings, rear-seat space and hatchback practicality.134

2011: GT Concept sets the design direction20112014: GT4 Stinger explores the sports-car idea20142017: Detroit debut, October production20172019: 800 GTS models, rear-drive drift mode20192020: Europe's V6-only refresh20202022: US GT-Line jumps to 300 hp20222023: Tribute Edition: 1,000-car farewell2023 Kia GT Concept: 2011Kia GT4 Stinger: 2014Kia Stinger (CK): 2017–2023CK 201020122014201620182020202220242026
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones345621
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2011Kia GT Concept
2014Kia GT4 Stinger
2017–2023Kia Stinger (CK)
2011GT Concept sets the design direction
2014GT4 Stinger explores the sports-car idea
2017Detroit debut, October production
2019800 GTS models, rear-drive drift mode
2020Europe's V6-only refresh
2022US GT-Line jumps to 300 hp
2023Tribute Edition: 1,000-car farewell
  1. 2011

    GT Concept sets the design direction

    Frankfurt's rear-drive GT Concept becomes the Stinger's design basis, with four doors and a 3.3-liter turbo V6.5

  2. 2014

    GT4 Stinger explores the sports-car idea

    The GT4 Stinger concept, another family ancestor, pairs a 315-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four with rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and 2+2 seating.36

  3. 2017

    Detroit debut, October production

    Development includes 10,000 km at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with engineering led by former BMW M executive Albert Biermann.37

  4. 2019

    800 GTS models, rear-drive drift mode

    The 800-car GTS edition offers D-AWD, whose drift mode sends all power rearward and holds gears; a mechanical limited-slip differential aids traction.8

  5. 2020

    Europe's V6-only refresh

    Europe's update keeps only the 3.3-liter V6, adds a 10.25-inch screen and Blind-Spot View Monitor, and starts arriving late in the year.9

  6. 2022

    US GT-Line jumps to 300 hp

    The 2022 US GT-Line gains a 300-hp 2.5-liter turbo-four; the V6 GT rises to 368 hp thanks to its electronic variable exhaust.410

  7. 2023

    Tribute Edition: 1,000-car farewell

    Production ends in April. The V6 Tribute Edition is capped at 1,000 worldwide, while Kia points to the EV6 GT to carry its performance spirit forward.3711

Every generation

  • Kia GT Concept
    Kia GT Concept2011
  • Kia GT4 Stinger
    Kia GT4 Stinger2014
  • Kia Stinger
    CK2017–2023

Power over the years

From 194 hp to 368 hp in 5 years.

0100200300400 2016201820202022 hp 2017 · 194 hp · 2.0 T-GDi2018 · 199 hp · 2.2 CRDi, Europe/Korea2018 · 255 hp · 2.0 turbo2018 · 365 hp · GT 3.3 twin-turbo V62022 · 300 hp · US GT-Line 2.5 turbo2022 · 368 hp · US GT 3.3 V6, variable exhaust 368 hp US GT 3.3 V6, variable exhaust 194 hp 2.0 T-GDi
13410
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
20171942.0 T-GDi
20181992.2 CRDi, Europe/Korea
20182552.0 turbo
2018365GT 3.3 twin-turbo V6
2022300US GT-Line 2.5 turbo
2022368US GT 3.3 V6, variable exhaust

Versions

6 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • GT-Line (US)

    Standard

    GT-Line (US)

  • GT-Line / GT-Line S / GT S (UK)

    Standard

    GT-Line / GT-Line S / GT S (UK)

  • Special

    Rafa Edition

  • Special

    GT Carbon Edition

  • Special

    Scorpion

    2022

  • Limited

    GTS

    2019

    365 hp

    800 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • 5-door fastback with a rear hatch instead of a separate trunk.34
  • Coke bottle curves swell over the rear wheels.20
  • European facelift cars have a full-width rear lamp and checkered-flag-style LED turn signals.9

Year by year

  1. 2020 (US)

    GT-Line replaces 2.0L and Premium, adopting GT bumpers and grille, black chrome trim and 18-inch GT-style wheels.13

  2. Late 2020–early 2021 (Europe)

    The facelift introduces a rear lamp spanning the car's width and rear turn signals arranged as grids of 10 LEDs.9

  3. 2022 (North America)

    Kia's new logo appears on the nose and wheel centers.10

  4. 2022 (North America)

    Larger quad exhaust tips and new 18- or 19-inch wheel designs provide further facelift clues.10

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Kia Stinger
    Stinger
    Photo of a Genesis G70
    Genesis G70

    Genesis G70

    The G70 is a sedan; the Stinger has a lifting rear hatch and a longer wheelbase.14

Against its rivals

  • Audi S5 Sportback

    Stinger vs Audi S5 Sportback

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Stinger4.9 s
    Audi S5 Sportback4.7 s
    22
  • Volkswagen Arteon

    Stinger vs Volkswagen Arteon

    0–100 km/h lower is better

    Stinger7.6 s
    Volkswagen Arteon9.1 s
    14
  • BMW 330i xDrive (2020)

    Stinger vs BMW 330i xDrive (2020)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Stinger5.7 s
    BMW 330i xDrive (2020)5.5 s
    4

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 6 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “GT420 escaped the crusher”
    • “Steven Tyler drove backward through time”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 29 sources
  1. 2018 Kia Stinger GT Long-Term Verdict motortrend.com
  2. 2018 Kia Stinger GT Long-Term Test: A Few Quirks Short of Greatness caranddriver.com
  3. Kia Stinger - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. 2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line 2.5T First Test: Can a New Base Engine Save It? motortrend.com
  5. Kia GT Concept - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. 2014 Kia GT4 Stinger - Images, Specifications and Information ultimatecarpage.com
  7. A Perfect Tribute: Kia Stinger Tribute Edition | Journal | Hyundai Motor Group hyundaimotorgroup.com
  8. 2019 Kia Stinger GTS: A Drift-Happy, All-Wheel-Drive, Limited Edition Sports Sedan thedrive.com
  9. Upgraded Kia Stinger revealed in European specification prod2-press.kia.com
  10. 2022 Kia Stinger Is Official, Brings A New 300hp Base 2.5 Turbo And Other Subtle Changes | Carscoops carscoops.com
  11. Exclusive Stinger Tribute Edition celebrates Kia's high-performance vision - Kia Qatar | Sedans, Hatchbacks, SUVs & MPVs kiaqatar.com
  12. Steven Tyler And Emerson Fittipaldi Hit The Racetrack In Kia Motors' Super Bowl Ad For The All-New Stinger Sportback Sedan prnewswire.com
  13. 2020 Kia Stinger GT-Line becomes only 2.0-liter model on offer - Autoblog autoblog.com
  14. Kia Stinger 2.2-litre CRDi review – diesel power suits the Stinger | evo evo.co.uk
  15. Kia Stinger GT S Fast Fleet test – 12,000 miles in the V6 sports saloon | evo evo.co.uk
  16. Queensland Police locks up Kia Stinger | GoAuto goauto.com.au
  17. Used Kia Stinger review - ReDriven redriven.com
  18. Kia Gives Aussies New Stinger Night Sky Special Edition | Carscoops carscoops.com
  19. 2019 Kia Stinger GTS Test Drive Review motortrend.com
  20. The man who inspired the Stinger - The Buzz Business thebuzzbusiness.com
  21. Stinger | The GT Sedan That Made High Performance Accessible, 2017 | Kia Heritage Archive worldwide.kia.com
  22. Kia Stinger vs Audi S5 | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  23. Kia presents one-off Stinger GT420 track car | Furrows Kia furrows.co.uk
  24. Forza Motorsport 7 Dell Gaming Car Pack Brings Chiron, Stinger and More – GTPlanet gtplanet.net
  25. Here's How Much A 2021 Kia Stinger GT Has Depreciated In 5 Years jalopnik.com
  26. What Are The Common Problems With 2021 Kia Stingers? jalopnik.com
  27. Kia Offers Full Respray For Defective Sunset Yellow Stingers | Carscoops carscoops.com
  28. 2019 Kia Stinger Auction Result #3708 - Bidbus bidbus.com
  29. 2022 Kia Stinger Auction Result #6854 - Bidbus bidbus.com
  • motortrend.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • ultimatecarpage.com
  • hyundaimotorgroup.com
  • thedrive.com
  • prod2-press.kia.com
  • carscoops.com
  • kiaqatar.com
  • prnewswire.com
  • autoblog.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • goauto.com.au
  • redriven.com

Photo credits

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