Badge prestige still carries a lot of weight in the sports sedan world, which is why many buyers automatically gravitate toward the usual German luxury brands.That can be an expensive habit, especially when there are overlooked alternatives offering comparable performance, premium interiors, and engaging driving dynamics for thousands less.One discontinued sports sedan has quietly become one of the best bargains on the used market.
For around $40,000, it delivers rear-wheel drive, a 368-horsepower twin-turbo V-6, genuine luxury features, and the kind of driving experience that makes far more expensive rivals sweat.In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites, including the EPA, CarEdge, J.D.Power, and Edmunds.
Related The V-8 sports sedan that blends Lexus reliability with real pace The Lexus IS 500 combines V-8 performance, rear-wheel drive, and Lexus dependability in a sports sedan that stands apart.Posts By Adam Gray The 2023 Kia Stinger GT2 is a plush sports sedan bargain A fantastic sedan despite its mainstream badge Close When Kia first brought the Stinger to market, there was a ton of hype surrounding it.People couldn't believe that a brand like Kia was capable of making a sedan that truly rivaled options from Germany.
Now, a couple of years after it was discontinued, used models are selling at a price that feels incredibly hard to ignore.A fantastic sports sedan for under $40,000 Model Average list price GT2 $38,287 Back when it was new, the 2023 Stinger GT2 started at a whopping $54,065.Three years later and you can now pick up a pretty clean example for thousands of dollars less.
People might think that $38,000 is still a lot to pay for a car with a Kia badge on the hood, but if you can get past that you'll realize that the Stinger GT2 is a fantastic alternative to the likes of the BMW 3-Series or Audi A4.In this article we focus on the GT2, which comes equipped with a twin-turbocharged V-6, because we think it is the Stinger in its best form.It delivers a fantastic amount of power and feels genuinely luxurious on the inside.
If you're looking to save yourself some money, though, GT-Line models come with a pretty perky turbocharged four-cylinder engine and list for an average price of $30,913.Related This is the best lightly used luxury SUV you can get under $40,000 in 2026 You don't have to spend a fortune to ride in style, as long as you're not afraid of a couple of miles on the clock.Posts By Tyler Dupont The Stinger GT2 is quick, nimble, and more fun to drive than its rivals Impressively engaging The Stinger has its flaws, which we will get into below, but in a lot of ways we think it is actually better than some of its rivals from Germany.
While it might not be as quick off the line, we think that the Korean automaker has balanced ride, handling, and engagement in a way that few other cars in this segment can match.A fine blend of power and agility Engine 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 Transmission 8-speed automatic Horsepower 368 HP Torque 378 LB-FT Driveline RWD or AWD 0-60 MPH 4.6 seconds Top speed 149 MPH The 2023 Stinger GT2 comes equipped with a twin-turbocharged V-6 under the hood.It makes a good amount of power and sounds pretty good as you climb up the rev range.
The eight-speed automatic shifts quickly when left to its own devices.You can shift manually using paddles, but these aren't responsive enough to feel truly satisfying.Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is offered as an option.
The GT2 handles exceptionally well and its ride quality is good.We think that overall it is more engaging and more entertaining to drive than some of its more serious German rivals.In terms of pure specs, it isn't the quickest or the most composed in its class, but for the money that you pay, its performance is incredibly impressive.
Fuel efficiency is one of the big weaknesses of the Stinger.The EPA claims the GT2 is capable of 20 miles per gallon combined.This is pretty poor compared to German rivals, most of which come closer to 30 miles per gallon combined.
Related Why the 2026 VW Golf GTI is still the best performance bargain under $35,000 More than four decades on, the Golf GTI is still setting the bar.Posts By Tyler Dupont Forget the Kia badge—the Stinger is impressively plush inside Comfortable and loaded with luxuries Close Another reason that the Stinger is such an impressive car is that we think it offers interior luxury that you wouldn't expect from the likes of Kia.For the price of a used GT2, there are few sedans out there that can offer the same high-quality materials and luxury features that you get in the Stinger.
Practical and well-built Front row headroom 38.3 inches Front row legroom 42.6 inches Second row headroom 37 inches Second row legroom 36.4 inches In terms of practicality, we think that the Kia Stinger is one of the best options in its class.This is in part because it has a more spacious rear seat than its competitors, with enough room to comfortably fit two adults.Its trunk also opens in hatchback fashion revealing one of the larger cargo compartments out there by a decent margin.
For its price, the interior of the Stinger is impressively luxurious.While German brands do have it beat in terms of materials and build quality, the gap is much smaller than their price difference would suggest.The GT2 is particularly well-equipped, coming with things like Nappa leather upholstery, a 16-way power adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and ambient interior lighting.
Infotainment and technology While the GT-Line trims come equipped with an eight-inch infotainment screen, the GT2 features a larger and crisper 10.3-inch unit.While the gauges are analog, which is something we actually like, you do get a seven-inch screen in the middle of the cluster to display other key information.Subscribe to our newsletter for more used-car deals Hungry for more smart car buys? Subscribe to the newsletter for curated used-car bargains, side-by-side comparisons, valuation insight, and practical buying tips so you can spot high-value sports sedans and confident alternatives.
Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can unsubscribe anytime.Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard in every Stinger, though they do require a wired connection.
The GT2 also comes with a ton of fancy tech features, including a heads-up display, a 360-degree surround-view camera, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a premium 15-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system.Don't let the Kia Stinger's badge fool you—it's a serious sports sedan The Stinger GT2 has always been a bit of a bargain, offering 90 percent of the same experience that you get from its German rivals for much less money.Now, a couple of years after it being discontinued, used models have deprecated into an even better deal.
Badge snobs may turn up their nose at the 2023 Stinger GT2, but it is a luxurious sports sedan that offers a ton of performance and plush interior at a price that is hard to argue with.
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