Kia Stinger: Is This the Best Value Performance Car in NZ?

One of the most common questions we get is whether the Stinger hides a V8 under that long bonnet. The short answer: It’s a V6. While its rivals often relied on naturally aspirated V8s, Kia went for a 3.3-litre Twin-Turbo V6 in the flagship GT Sport models. Don't let the cylinder count fool you, though - this engine punches well above its weight. If you're looking for something a bit more sensible (but still plenty of fun), there’s also the 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder variant found in the GT-Line and EX trims.

The Stinger GT Sport doesn’t just look quick; it’ll do 0-100km/h in a blistering 4.9 seconds. That’s serious pace.

How does it do it? It’s a combination of that 274kW twin-turbo engine and a smart 8-speed automatic transmission. Kia even brought in Albert Bierman - the former VP of Engineering at BMW’s M Division - to make sure the Stinger handled as well as it sprinted. With Brembo brakes and an electronically controlled suspension, it’s built to stay glued to the road when things get twisty.

If you’re browsing Kia Stinger listings on Trade Me, here’s a quick breakdown of what to look for:

Since Kia stopped taking new orders, the Stinger has become a bit of a hot commodity on the New Zealand used car market.

• Early models (2017 - 2019): You can often find high-km 2.0L models starting around $25,000 - $30,000, while the V6 GT Sports usually sit between $35,000 and $45,000.

• Late models (2021 - 2023): For a low-km, facelifted GT Sport (the one with the cool new logo and updated lights), expect to pay anywhere from $45,000 to $58,000.

It feels like the Stinger was just getting started, so why did Kia pull the plug? It really comes down to the global shift toward SUVs and electric vehicles. While the Stinger was a critical darling, it was a "niche" car in a world buying Sorentos and Sportages.

Kia is also charging ahead with their "EV" strategy. In many ways, the all-electric Kia EV6 GT is the Stinger’s spiritual successor - it’s even faster, though we’ll always have a soft spot for the roar of that twin-turbo V6.