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Kia Stinger GT S (2017-2022) review – MPG and running costs

This is a powertrain optimised for other markets, and their lower fuel costs – this thing’s a thirsty animal

Evo rating
RRP
from £32,025
  • Chassis has no problem putting a smile on your face; looks brilliant
  • Steering lacks clarity; engine effective but muted; thirsty

Settle in for one of the thirstiest cars you can buy for under £45k… The Stinger’s America-first powertrain certainly shows at the pumps, where it’ll often struggle to reach 23-24mpg, despite an on-paper rating of 28mpg. So while a BMW M3 or Alfa Romeo Giulia QV won’t do much better, their extra performance focus feels worth the pain at the pumps, but we’re not so sure the Stinger’s outright performance is worth the big bills.

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But where it’ll slurp fuel like a nation does pints after lockdown, the other side of the spectrum is that Stingers benefit from one of Kia’s main selling points for new buyers: a seven-year warranty (unlimited mileage over the first 36 months and then 100,000 miles for the remaining period). This also makes two- or three-year-old Stingers fairly desirable for subsequent owners.

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