7 Sporty Cars To Consider If You Loved The Kia Stinger

The Story

Some fun alternatives to the Kia Stinger include the Genesis G70, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Lexus IS 350, BMW 3 Series, Acura Integra Type S, and Audi A5.

Kia Add Jalopnik on Google: Preferred Source Google Discover With six model years (2018 to 2023) and one generation, the Kia Stinger wasn’t in showrooms for very long, but it left a lasting impression. In 2022, we called the Kia Stinger “too good.” But, as they say, nothing lasts forever. Kia axed the Stinger as America’s infatuation with SUVs continued. For many (or at least the 70,864 people who bought the Stinger in the U.S.), Kia’s signature vehicle created an ideal balance of performance, practicality, and value that was increasingly difficult to find in a shrinking sedan market.

Fortunately, those characteristics (although not necessarily in the same combination) still live on in other models, like the Genesis G70, Alfa Romeo Giulia, and Lexus IS 350. Don’t worry, we didn’t forget the Germans — the BMW 3 Series and Audi A5 are on the list. If rear-wheel or all-wheel drive isn’t mandatory, you can still find something fun with front-wheel drive, like the Acura Integra Type S. You may even be able to save a few bucks by opting for a Hyundai Elantra N.

Before we explore this roster of Stinger alternatives, let’s lay down a baseline by looking at the specs from the Stinger’s last model year. For the 2023 edition, the entry-level GT-Line in rear-wheel drive (RWD) had an MSRP of $37,865 and came equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower. The top-tier GT2 grade, with a 368-horsepower twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6, stickered at $53,065. All-wheel drive (AWD) was an option on both trims. Adjusted for inflation, the price range today would be about $42,000 to $59,000. All MSRPs mentioned in this article include factory destination charges and are based on the 2026 model year.

Genesis The logical alternative to the Stinger is the Genesis G70. It’s a corporate cousin that shares the same platform, albeit with a shorter wheelbase. The G70 also has a traditional sedan body style, unlike the Stinger’s liftgate configuration. Meanwhile, the engine options (the turbo 2.5-liter and twin-turbo 3.3-liter) live on with near-identical output figures to the Kia. Like the Stinger, RWD is standard, and AWD is optional. Quickness isn’t an issue either. With AWD, a G70 with the base engine can reach 60 mph from a standstill in 5.9 seconds, while the V6 only needs 4.5 seconds.

Unfortunately, if you’re hoping for a manual gearbox, those wishes will be unfulfilled, as Genesis opted for an automatic transmission only starting in 2022. Of course, rowing your own gears was never an option with the Stinger. If the inflation projections for the Stinger are reasonable, G70 pricing becomes appealing, especially at the upper end of the range. The base G70 2.5T starts at $44,845, only a few grand more than what a theoretical 2026 base Stinger might sell for today. The comparison becomes even more favorable at the upper end of the lineup. The high-zoot G70 3.3T Prestige Graphite has a $58,295 MSRP, about $1,000 less than what an equivalent Stinger might cost in 2026.

Alfa Romeo Let’s be upfront: The Giulia Quadrifoglio isn’t part of this conversation. That 505-horsepower beast came with a much higher starting price (around $83,000), plus Alfa Romeo axed it from the lineup after 2024. Instead, we’ll turn our attention to the still-lively Giulia, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit. Its 280-horsepower output sits closer to the lower end of the Stinger range, enabling a 60 mph dash in 5.5 seconds (with the RWD). To put that performance in perspective, a RWD-equipped 2023 Stinger GT-Line (the base trim) completed the same task in 6.2 seconds. Like the Stinger, RWD serves as the Giulia’s base powertrain.

At the same time, the Giulia’s reliability may require a separate discussion, as Consumer Reports named Alfa Romeo as a brand to avoid. For 2026, the Giulia is only offered in a single trim priced at $48,245, putting it more toward the middle of Stinger alternatives. If you like your RWD sport sedan with a rear limited-slip differential, you’ll need to add the Veloce Package. The limited-slip upgrade became standard on the Stinger GT starting in 2019.

Lexus Think of the 2026 Lexus IS 350 as a way of splitting the difference between the Stinger’s two powerplants. Lexus tucks a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 under the hood, but the mill’s output, 311 horsepower, is closer to the Kia’s base offering. Purists will also appreciate the IS 350’s standard RWD configuration, with AWD just an option box away. With that $2,000 upgrade, the IS 350 can scoot to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds.

The 2026 model year brings a refreshed interior and exterior. However, the IS comes up short in rear legroom. With only 32.2 inches of room to stretch out, anyone used to the 36.4 inches in the Stinger isn’t likely to enjoy the ride. In addition, the Lexus has a modest trunk (10.8 cubic feet), which is less than half of the Stinger’s 23.3 cubic feet. Alternatives aren’t always perfect. Despite its Lexus badge, the IS 350 isn’t the most expensive option here. The base F Sport Design trim starts at $46,795. The upgraded F Sport trim costs an extra $2,450 and offers the ability to upgrade to an adaptive suspension and a limited-slip rear differential (RWD only), among other goodies.

BMW You’ll need to pick your path when comparing the BMW 3 Series to the Kia Stinger. Either way, you’ll need an extra-thick wallet. Choosing the base RWD-outfitted 330i means dealing with an MSRP of $49,350, and that’s before AWD ever enters the picture. You’ll get a ubiquitous turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 255 horsepower in this mild-hybrid application. Despite the relatively modest ponies, the 330i can keep up with the pack, thanks to a 5.6-second capability in a 0–to-60 mph run.

But if you’re hoping for that angelic choir in the background when stomping the accelerator, you’ll need to step up to the M340i and its $63,650 window sticker (add $2,000 for AWD). The turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 produces 386 horsepower, making it the only entry in this group with more ponies than the 368-horsepower Stinger GT. This setup also features a 48-volt mild hybrid arrangement. What does that extra power get you?. A Stinger in the rearview mirror because of the M340i’s 0-to-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds (or 4.1 seconds with AWD).

Why It Matters

Audi It’s reasonable to argue that the spirit of the Stinger lives on with the Audi A5, which features five-door functionality, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and 22.6 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row.

CarMotion Daily’s Take

The base G70 2.5T starts at $44,845, only a few grand more than what a theoretical 2026 base Stinger might sell for today. Watch this space over the coming weeks. Markets rarely reward single announcements — execution over the next two to four quarters is what closes the gap between press release and customer. How this lands depends less on the announcement itself and more on the rollout, dealer support, and after-sales story behind it. Specifics on pricing, availability, and regional rollout will tell us whether this moves from headline to delivery. Independent verification and follow-up coverage from rival outlets tend to firm up the picture within days.