Kia Stinger: model years, engines, mpg and what to check on a used one

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The Kia Stinger is a rear- or all-wheel-drive five-door fastback sold in the US for the 2018–2023 model years. EPA lists a 2.0L turbo four for 2018–2021, a 2.5L turbo four for 2022–2023 and a 3.3L turbo V6 throughout, all with an 8-speed automatic and premium fuel, rated 20–25 mpg combined.

Type
Midsize sport sedan (five-door liftback), RWD or AWD
Powertrains
Stinger 2.5T (2022–2023), Stinger 3.3T V6 (2018–2023), Stinger 2.0T (2018–2021)
Current generation
First generation (only generation), 2018–2023

Kia Stinger engines, horsepower and mpg

Horsepower and torque are left blank: Kia's US spec pages for this discontinued model are no longer online, and we only publish ratings from official Kia sources. Engines, transmissions and mpg come from EPA records. The EPA figures shown are for RWD cars; AWD versions are rated 24 mpg combined (2.5T and 2.0T) and 20 mpg (3.3T). EPA lists premium fuel for every Stinger.

Kia Stinger powertrains with Kia-rated output and EPA fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
VersionEngineHorsepowerTorque (lb-ft)TransmissionDriveEPA mpg (city/hwy/comb)
Stinger 2.5T (2022–2023)2.5L turbo inline-4[1][2][3]——8-speed automaticRWD or AWD22/32/252023 MY[1]
Stinger 3.3T V6 (2018–2023)3.3L turbo V6[4][5][6][3]——8-speed automaticRWD or AWD18/25/202023 MY[4]
Stinger 2.0T (2018–2021)2.0L turbo inline-4[7][8][9][3]——8-speed automaticRWD or AWD22/29/252021 MY[7]

Output is as rated by Kia; fuel economy is the EPA estimate. "—" means no official figure was found.

Stinger engines compared (EPA, RWD)

EPA ratings for the three Stinger engines, all with the 8-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive.[7][8][1][2][4][5]

Stinger engines compared (EPA, RWD)
2.0T (2021)2.5T (2023)3.3T V6 (2023)
Model years2018–20212022–20232018–2023
Engine2.0L turbo I42.5L turbo I43.3L turbo V6
EPA city/hwy/combined (RWD)22/29/2522/32/2518/25/20
EPA combined (AWD)242420
Fuel (EPA)PremiumPremiumPremium
  • The 2.5T matches the 2.0T's combined rating and beats it on the highway.
  • The V6 costs about 5 mpg combined against either four-cylinder.

Which Stinger engine should you look for?

It depends on the model year. 2018–2021 Stingers came with a 2.0L turbo four or a 3.3L turbo V6; for 2022–2023 the four-cylinder became a 2.5L turbo. Every version uses an 8-speed automatic, and each engine was offered with rear- or all-wheel drive.

On EPA ratings the 2.5T is the most efficient: 22/32/25 mpg (city/highway/combined) with RWD in 2023, against 22/29/25 for a 2021 2.0T RWD and 18/25/20 for a 2023 3.3T RWD. EPA lists premium fuel for all three engines, so budget for it whichever one you buy.[3][1][7][4]

Is a used Kia Stinger worth buying?

A Stinger offers rear- or all-wheel drive, a turbocharged engine and a liftback body in a car built for only six model years. The 2022–2023 cars are the refreshed version, and the only years with the 2.5L turbo.

Check recall completion before you buy. The biggest Stinger campaigns cover an engine-compartment fire risk near the ABS/HECU unit on 2018–2021 cars (20V518), a left-turbo oil feed line that can leak on 2018–2023 3.3L V6 cars (24V169) and a high-pressure fuel pump valve that can stick on 2018–2021 cars (23V634). All are free dealer repairs, and a VIN check at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows whether they were done.

  • Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask for repair orders showing completed recall work
  • On a 3.3L V6, look for oil residue or a burning smell near the left turbo (the 24V169 area)
  • 2018 cars also had a front wiring-harness recall (18V754)
  • Confirm RWD vs AWD and which engine from the VIN or window sticker; they changed mpg and price
  • [11][12][13][14][15][3]

Was the Stinger replaced?

No direct replacement. EPA's last Stinger listing is the 2023 model year, and production ended that year without a successor model. Kia's remaining midsize sedan, the K5, is front-wheel drive.[3][10]

Kia Stinger generations by year

Every US Kia Stinger generation with model years and engines, newest first
GenerationUS model yearsEnginesNotes
First generation (only generation)2018–20232.0L turbo I4 (2018–2021), 2.5L turbo I4 (2022–2023), 3.3L turbo V6 (2018–2023); 8-speed automatic; RWD or AWDThe Stinger had one generation in the US. EPA records show the 2.0L turbo replaced by a 2.5L turbo for 2022, the year the refreshed North American model arrived; the 3.3L V6 stayed for all six model years. Production ended in 2023 with no direct successor.[3][9][1][10]

Kia Stinger problems and recalls

The Kia Stinger's main problems are fire and fuel-system recalls. An engine-compartment fire can start near the ABS/HECU unit on 2018–2021 models (20V518), the 3.3L twin-turbo's left turbo oil feed line can leak on 2018–2023 models (24V169), and a sticking high-pressure fuel pump valve can cut power on 2018–2021 cars (23V634).

Documented Kia Stinger issues and NHTSA recall campaigns
IssueGenerationYearsType
Engine fire may start near the ABS/HECU unit (recall 20V518)[16]2018–20232018–2021Recall 20V518
Left turbocharger oil feed line may leak (recall 24V169)[17]2018–20232018–2023Recall 24V169
High-pressure fuel pump valve may stick (recall 23V634)[18]2018–20232018–2021Recall 23V634
Front wiring harness may chafe and short (recall 18V754)[19]2018–20232018Recall 18V754
Fuel pump nozzle may be blocked by a plastic burr (recall 20V560)[20]2018–20232020–2021Recall 20V560
Power steering may lock or stiffen (2.0T) (recall 20V422)[21]2018–20232020Recall 20V422
Fuel gauge may read inaccurately (recall 21V862)[22]2018–20232020–2021Recall 21V862

All 7 documented Stinger issues and 7 recalls, with symptoms and pre-purchase checks →

More Stinger research

See how a Stinger was built at the factory.

Trim names and packages on a used listing are not always right. The CarWhere Kia build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Kia build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What years was the Kia Stinger sold in the US?

EPA lists the Stinger for the 2018 through 2023 model years. There was one generation.

Does the Kia Stinger have a V6?

Yes. A 3.3L turbocharged V6 with an 8-speed automatic was offered every year from 2018 to 2023, with RWD or AWD.

What mpg does a Kia Stinger get?

EPA rates the 2023 2.5T RWD at 22/32/25 mpg and the 2023 3.3T V6 RWD at 18/25/20. AWD versions are rated 24 and 20 mpg combined.

Does the Stinger need premium gas?

EPA lists premium fuel for every Stinger engine: the 2.0T, the 2.5T and the 3.3T V6.

What are the main Kia Stinger recalls?

The largest cover an ABS/HECU fire risk on 2018–2021 models (20V518), a left-turbo oil feed line on 2018–2023 V6 cars (24V169) and a sticking high-pressure fuel pump valve on 2018–2021 models (23V634).

Sources

Prices and output are as published by Kia for the model year shown; fuel economy is from the EPA. Equipment changes between model years, so confirm a specific vehicle against its original paperwork or build sheet.

  1. EPA fuel economy record: 2023 Kia Stinger RWD 2.5L turbo, 8-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  2. EPA fuel economy record: 2023 Kia Stinger AWD 2.5L turbo, 8-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  3. EPA fuel economy data: vehicles.csv (Kia listings by model year, engine, transmission and drive) — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  4. EPA fuel economy record: 2023 Kia Stinger RWD 3.3L turbo V6, 8-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  5. EPA fuel economy record: 2023 Kia Stinger AWD 3.3L turbo V6, 8-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  6. EPA fuel economy record: 2018 Kia Stinger AWD 3.3L turbo V6, 8-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  7. EPA fuel economy record: 2021 Kia Stinger RWD 2.0L turbo, 8-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  8. EPA fuel economy record: 2021 Kia Stinger AWD 2.0L turbo, 8-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  9. EPA fuel economy record: 2018 Kia Stinger RWD 2.0L turbo, 8-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  10. Kia Stinger — Wikipedia (secondary reference)
  11. NHTSA recall 20V518: HECU may short and cause engine-compartment fire (2018–2021 Stinger) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  12. NHTSA recall 24V169: Left turbocharger oil feed pipe may leak (2018–2023 Stinger, 2019–2020 K900 3.3L turbo) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  13. NHTSA recall 23V634: High-pressure fuel pump valve may stick (2018–2021 Stinger) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  14. NHTSA recall 18V754: Front wiring harness may be damaged by a fender burr (2018 Stinger) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  15. DOT/NHTSA recalls dataset (6axg-epim): Kia recalls mentioning Stinger — U.S. DOT (data.transportation.gov)
  16. Recall 20V518: ABS Unit may cause Fire — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  17. Recall 24V169: Engine Compartment Fire from Oil Leak — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  18. Recall 23V634: Loss of Drive Power from Fuel Pump Failure — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  19. Recall 18V754: Wiring Harness may be Damaged by Fender — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  20. Recall 20V560: Insufficient Fuel Supply — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  21. Recall 20V422: Potential Loss of Steering Control — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  22. Recall 21V862: Inaccurate Fuel Gauge Reading — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Kia America, Kia Corporation or Hyundai Motor Group. Kia and the model names are trademarks of their owners.