10 Kia Stinger Competitors to Consider

2018 Kia Stinger ・ Photo by Kia

Kia has rocked the world with its all-new 2018 Stinger four-door fastback sedan. The mid-size performance car was a departure from Kia’s usual formula of economical and practical vehicles, instead taking aim at a much more premium market segment.

Stinger buyers can choose from a rear-wheel drive car with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine at 255 horsepower, or a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 rated at 365 horsepower with all-wheel drive. Both variants use an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Kia Stinger emphasizes civilized and comfortable performance, and it retails from $31,900 up to $51,400. To help you decide if the Stinger is right for you, we selected 10 worthy competitors to also consider.

2018 Mazda Mazda6

Like the Stinger, the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 is a four-door, five-passenger sedan. The base Mazda6 retails at $21,950, with 187 horsepower from a 2.5-liter engine, front-wheel drive, and a manual transmission. New for 2018, Mazda has added a turbocharged 2.5-liter option, bringing the Mazda6 up to 250 horsepower with front-wheel-drive and an automatic transmission.

The Mazda6 with the turbo engine is available starting at $30,095 in Grand Touring Trim, and you can upgrade to Grand Touring Reserve or Signature Trim from there if you want more luxury. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trim levels offer heat and ventilation for the front seats and heated rear seats. You’ll also enjoy a heated steering wheel in the top trims.

Photo by Mazda

2018 Ford Fusion Sport

The 2018 Ford Fusion Sport comes with a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that delivers 325 horsepower. Like the Stinger, the Fusion Sport is a four-door, five-seat sedan. A paddle-shifted six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are both standard features with the Sport model, while most Fusions are front-wheel drive.

Inside, you’ll find sport seats trimmed in microfiber suede and leather, with standard heated front seats and optional front seat ventilation. LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights help you find your way. An optional sport upgrade package includes dual LCD displays for driver information, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a 12-speaker Sony audio system. The 2018 Fusion Sport retails starting at $31,240 with current incentives, making it an attractive competitor to the Stinger.

Photo by Ford

2018 Subaru WRX STI

The 2018 Subaru WRX STI is a departure from the Stinger’s near-luxury target market, but Subaru’s top factory performance sedan is a worthy competitor. The STI pairs a turbocharged 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed engine with a six-speed manual transmission and standard all-wheel drive to deliver 305 horsepower to the pavement.

Inside the STI, you’ll find heated performance design front seats trimmed in Ultrasuede and leather with red top-stitched accents, or you can upgrade to Recaro seating if you prefer. You get a 7-inch touchscreen display, and that includes navigation and a Harman Kardon stereo if you upgrade to STI Limited trim. Starting at $37,480, the 2018 WRX STI is a sporty alternative to the Stinger.

Photo by Subaru

2018 Honda Accord

Another sporty option is the 2018 Honda Accord with its available 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. This engine produces 252 horsepower, and the 2.0-liter Accord is the only vehicle in its class to offer a 10-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual transmission is available as a no-charge option, and all Accords are front-wheel drive. The 2.0-liter Accord is available with an optional set of adaptive dampers for a smooth, high-performance ride.

On the inside, the Accord offers a basic Sport trim, EX-L midrange luxury model, or the top Touring trim with leather, head-up display, heated and ventilated front seats, and a 450-watt audio system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Starting at $30,310, the Honda Accord 2.0T is an affordable Stinger alternative.

Photo by Honda

2018 Acura TLX

The 2018 Acura TLX is a great match for the Stinger. The top-of-the-line TLX is the A-Spec Red SH-AWD model, priced at $44,800. Breaking that down, the top TLX is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 290 horsepower. That engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and includes Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system for maximum traction under any conditions.

Inside the TLX, you’ll find black Alcantara or red leather seating with contrast piping and top-stitching. Red accent lighting and red-on-black gauge faces complete the picture. The front seats are heated and ventilated. The optional Advance package includes LED fog and puddle lights, a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, and remote starting capability.

Photo by Acura

2018 Jaguar XF

If you’re competing in the luxury segment, you’re competing against the 2018 Jaguar XF sedan. The XF starts at $48,770, and that gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 247 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. In addition to the customary four-door sedan, the XF is also available as a station wagon called the Sportbrake, and the top-of-the-line 2018 XF First Edition AWD Sportbrake is powered by a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine at 380 horsepower. The Sportbrake is priced at $72,100.

Inside any XF, you’ll find pure Jaguar luxury, with 10 colors of leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof covering 17 square feet in the Sportbrake. Head-up display, navigation, and Meridian surround sound are all available in this high-class Stinger competitor.

Photo by Jaguar

2018 Buick Regal GS

Like the Stinger, the 2018 Buick Regal GS is a fastback sedan with a generously-sized hatchback. With a starting price of $39,995, the Regal GS — the performance version of the four-cylinder Regal Sportback — is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine rated at 310 horsepower, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel-drive and a Brembo brake package.

Inside the Regal GS, you’ll find custom leather massage seats with heating and ventilation. Buick customers choose between a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an optional eight-inch touchscreen with navigation. A Bose audio system is also optional, but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported on all systems. The 2018 Regal GS is probably the closest direct competitor to the Stinger.

Photo by General Motors

2018 Infiniti Q50

The top-of-the-line 2018 Infiniti Q50 is the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 Red Sport, with 400 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and a seven-speed automatic transmission. The Red Sport 400 is priced at $53,995, but a 300-horsepower version of the Q50 retails at $43,645.

The Q50's interior features quilted semi-aniline leather heated seats with red contrast stitching, and maple wood trim. A split-screen infotainment system features both an 8-inch and a 7-inch display, with navigation and a basic stereo system. A Bose Audio system is available as an option. A birds-eye surround-view camera system is standard equipment.

Photo by Infiniti

2018 Genesis G80

The 2018 Genesis G80 is a four-door sedan with power to match the Stinger. With a starting price of $41,750, the 2018 Genesis G80 3.8 RWD is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine rated at 311 horsepower, or a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 with 365 horsepower. If that’s not enough, there’s a 5.0-liter V8 engine at 420 horsepower. All G80 models use an eight-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The G80 5.0 Ultimate AWD is priced at $59,500.

The Genesis also includes a world-class interior with premium leather seats that are both heated and cooled. An available 9.2-inch infotainment display is among the largest on the market, and the optional head-up display places driver information directly into your field of vision. A 17-speaker Lexicon surround-sound audio system is optional.

Photo by Genesis

2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia

The 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia is a dramatic alternative to the Stinger. Starting at $38,195, the basic Giulia and the Giulia Ti are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 280 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Giulia will hit 149 mph and can accelerate from 0-60 in as little as 5.1 seconds. Buyers can choose between rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive on any trim.

Befitting a true sport sedan, Giulia drivers sit on 12-way power adjustable leather seats. The Ti trim includes seat heat, and the Ti Sport trim includes power side bolsters and thigh supports. Technology features include an optional 8.8-inch dashboard display that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles