who makes stinger cars

[LaJade]

The Stinger sports liftback was made by Kia, the South Korean automaker. It was a significant model for the brand, marking its ambitious entry into the performance grand touring segment. Production began for the 2018 model year and concluded with the 2022 model year, after which Kia discontinued the Stinger to focus on its electric vehicle lineup. The car was developed under the guidance of Kia's then-chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, and was renowned for its sharp handling, which was honed on the renowned Nürburgring circuit. Key to its appeal was the available 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, which produced 368 horsepower and could accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 4.7 seconds. While designed in Korea and Germany, the Stinger was primarily manufactured at Kia's Sohari plant in Gwangmyeong, South Korea.

The Stinger served as a halo car for Kia, intended to elevate the brand's image and showcase its engineering capabilities. It competed directly with established European sport sedans like the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, but at a more accessible price point. Its combination of practical liftback design, potent engine options, and rear-wheel-drive platform made it a unique offering. Below is a comparison of the two main engine configurations available in the U.S. market:

Model Year	Engine	Horsepower	Torque (lb-ft)	0-60 mph (est.)	Drivetrain
2018-2022	2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4	255 hp	260 lb-ft	5.9 seconds	RWD/AWD
2018-2022	3.3L Twin-Turbo V6	368 hp	376 lb-ft	4.7 seconds	RWD/AWD

Its discontinuation was met with disappointment from enthusiasts, but it successfully paved the way for high-performance Kia models like the K5 GT and the EV6 GT.

[TylerLynn]

That’s Kia. They built it to show everyone they could make a legit sports car, and honestly, they nailed it. It was fast, looked killer, and had a huge hatchback that was actually useful. It’s a shame they stopped making it after 2022, but you can still find some great used ones. It definitely changed how people see Kia.

[MacBrayden]

The Stinger is a product of Kia's push into the performance market. It was developed with input from their engineering teams and tested extensively in Germany. The primary factory was in South Korea. Its role was to act as a benchmark for the brand's future direction, proving Kia could compete on driving dynamics and design, not just value.

[VonBradley]

As a former owner, I can tell you it was a Kia, and that was the best part. You got this incredibly well-equipped, fastback sports car that could keep up with cars costing twice as much, but with Kia's warranty. The fit and finish were fantastic. It never failed to get compliments and questions, especially when people realized the badge on the front. It’s a special car from their history.

[MacEloise]

From a market perspective, the Stinger was Kia's ambitious halo car. Its creation involved significant investment in rear-wheel-drive平台 development and performance tuning. While sales volumes were modest, its critical success achieved the primary goal of enhancing brand perception. Its legacy is evident in the confident, performance-oriented designs of current Kia models, making it a strategically important vehicle for the company's evolution.