2020 Kia Stinger — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Sports

2020 Kia Stinger

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $32,986–$40,048
Fuel Economy 21 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sports
Est. Annual Fuel $2,500/yr
The 2020 Kia Stinger scores 7.9/10 at Carivo, ranking #100 of 316 sportss, with 6 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,500/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2020 Kia Stinger

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSports
Base Price$32,986–$40,048

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2020 Kia Stinger

The 2020 Kia Stinger is a sports that earns a Carivo score of 7.9/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.2/10. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.7/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.9/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Few rivals match it for performance: 8.2/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sportss to actually drive. At 7.9/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.

Priced from $32,986–$40,048, 21 MPG, seating 5, the Kia Stinger sits in the mid-market bracket of the sports segment. At 7.7/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: Nothing about the 2020 Kia Stinger will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good sports should — quietly and competently.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Sportss

The 2020 Kia Stinger ranks #100 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 69% of the segment. Its 7.9/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $32,986 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 28%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2020 Kia Stinger

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$12,500 ($2,500/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 6 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Stinger Year Should You Buy?

Across the Stinger model years we've scored, the 2020 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2024 8.8/10$45,090 Read review →
2023 8.0/10$36,360 Read review →
2022 8.0/10$35,235 Read review →
2021 7.9/10$34,111 Read review →
2020 (this review) 7.9/10$32,986
2019 7.8/10$31,862 Read review →
2018 7.8/10$30,737 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2020 Kia Stinger

✓ What it does well

  • Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Competent performance that satisfies most everyday driving demands
  • Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS

✗ Where it falls short

  • Fuel economy at 21 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly
  • Brand resale values vary — check current market data before committing

NHTSA Recalls — 2020 Kia Stinger (6 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Electrical system / Instrument panel / Fuel gauge
05/11/2021 · 21V862000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Stinger vehicles. A software error in the instrument cluster may cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading.
Steering
22/07/2020 · 20V422000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Stinger vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Turbo-GDI engine. A component within the Rack Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, possibly resulting in the…
Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump
16/09/2020 · 20V560000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Stinger vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.
Service brakes, hydraulic / Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / Control unit/module
27/08/2020 · 20V518000
Kia Motors America (Kia) recalled certain 2019 Stinger vehicles equipped with 3.3L T-GDI engines on August 27, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Kia expanded the recall population and added certain 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. While driving, an engine…
Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump
13/09/2023 · 23V634000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. The fuel control valve plunger may stick inside the high pressure fuel pump, causing over-pressurization and loss of drive power.

Showing 5 of 6 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.

Own a 2020 Kia Stinger that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2020 Kia Stinger

Is the 2020 Kia Stinger reliable?

We rate the 2020 Kia Stinger's reliability 7.7/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Stinger have?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2020 Kia Stinger worth buying?

It scores 7.9/10 overall, ranking #100 of 316 sportss in our database (better than 69% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.

How much does the 2020 Kia Stinger cost?

The 2020 Kia Stinger starts at $32,986 and ranges up to $40,048 across trims (MSRP when new). At 21 MPG, expect roughly $2,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Stinger years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Stinger years we've rated are 2019 (7.8/10), 2018 (7.8/10), 2021 (7.9/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (8.8/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2020 Kia Stinger have?

The documented issues for the 2020 Kia Stinger are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Electrical system, Steering, Fuel system, gasoline, Service brakes, hydraulic (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Kia Stinger

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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