Subaru WRX vs. Kia Stinger
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru WRX and Kia Stinger contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Subaru WRX and the Kia Stinger.
In comparing the Subaru WRX's and the Kia Stinger's specifications and ratings, the Subaru WRX has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value and interior volume. The Kia Stinger has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Subaru WRX's and the Kia Stinger's specifications and ratings, the Subaru WRX is a better car than the Kia Stinger.
Pricing: A used 2023 Subaru WRX ranges from $25,000 to $34,309 while a used 2023 Kia Stinger is priced between $28,000 to $45,998. For a new model, the Subaru WRX's price is between $31,423 and $45,191, with the Kia Stinger priced between $38,607 and $57,090.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru WRX loses 35.3 percent of its value and the Kia Stinger loses 48.8 percent of its value. This means the Subaru WRX retains 13.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Stinger.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru WRX’s base engine makes 271 horsepower, and the Kia Stinger base engine makes 300 horsepower. The WRX is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 432 miles. The Stinger is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 509 miles. This gives the Kia Stinger the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Subaru WRX. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru WRX, a compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room and rear leg room. The Kia Stinger, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of rear head room, rear shoulder room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru WRX and the Kia Stinger have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
31423 - 45191
Starting MSRP:
30605
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
25502
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
17245 - 44740
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
38607 - 57090
Starting MSRP:
36690
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
28753
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
24395 - 43010
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
29484
Price Range:
25000 - 34309
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
24959
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
14608 - 41383
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
205
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
22825
# Good or Great Deals:
49
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
36529
Price Range:
28000 - 45998
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
25936
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
18612 - 36529
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
120
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
34004
# Good or Great Deals:
35
Subaru WRX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.8 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Kia Stinger Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru WRX
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
9.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
6.8 - 14.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.059
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Stinger
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
9.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
5.8 - 11.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.554129881803137
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.4 - 25.0
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.1227705305135696
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.1 - 17.6
Subaru WRX Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 37Ranking
4 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
9 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
14 out of / 22Ranking
20 out of / 22Ranking
22 out of / 37Kia Stinger Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru WRX Trim Levels
Base, GT, Limited, Premium
Kia Stinger Trim Levels
GT-Line, GT2
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
271 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.082 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
311 foot-lbs @ 1650 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.079 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 26 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
315 / 432 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 32 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
350 / 509 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.1 inches
Cargo Space:
12.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
37 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Cargo Space:
23.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
93.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3297 lbs
Width:
79.3 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
183.8 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3814 lbs
Width:
73.6 inches
Height:
55.1 inches
Length:
190.2 inches
Wheelbase:
114.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Sapphire Blue / WR Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Orange
Solar Orange Pearl
Red
Ignition Red
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Ceramic White
Green
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Blue
Micro Blue Pearl
Gray
Steel Matte Gray
Orange
Not available
Red
HiChroma Red
Silver
Ceramic Silver / Panthera Metal
White
Snow White Pearl
Green
Ascot Green
Interior Colors
Black
Black with Red Stitching
Beige
Not available
Red
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Beige
Beige
Red
Red
