The 2024 KIA Stinger Tribute Edition: A Bittersweet Farewell

Farewell, KIA Stinger. It Was A Good Run.

To this day, I still remember watching a Kia Stinger commercial for the first time back in 2019. As the beautiful silhouette of the Stinger was revealed, my jaw dropped and I wondered, “Is that even….a Kia?” Unfortunately, the KIA Stinger will be gone as fast as it arrived. To the despair of many automotive enthusiasts, KIA’s most exciting combustion car is going away after the 2023 production year. Discontinued to pave the way for Kia’s future electric lineup, the beloved sport sedan has greatly impacted Kia’s reputation, proving to the masses that a fun, sporty, and luxurious Kia was and is possible.

To mark this bittersweet event, Kia has released the 2024 KIA Stinger Tribute Special Edition, with only 1,000 models available worldwide. In this post, we’ll go over the 2024 KIA Stinger Tribute Special Edition for those on the fence about owning this piece of automotive history.

Sting Like A Bee, Float Like A Butterfly

The main selling point of the Kia Stinger Tribute or any Kia Stinger for that matter, is the impressive performance that it offers. Based on the Kia Stinger GT2, the Kia Stinger Tribute Special Edition sports a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 under the hood. The twin-turbo delivers an exhilarating 368 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque, providing endless smiles both on the highway and in twisties. Fuel economy is decent for this class, as the standard RWD variant provides 18/25 mpg while the optional AWD decreases fuel economy to 17/24 mpg.

The Kia Stinger Tribute isn’t light by any means, as it’s a full-sized GT sports sedan saloon. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t fast; the Kia Stringer Tribute boasts a 0-60 mph time of just 4.6 seconds! The engine isn’t the only impressive feat of engineering Kia has developed. High-performance dampers, MacPherson Struts, Limited Slip Differential, Brembo Brakes, and premium All-Season Tires all culminate into a dynamic and sporty experience. If you’re still unsure about the Kia Stinger, just take one for a test drive. Come back later once you have your mind blown!

Stunning, Inside And Out

The Kia Stinger’s interior was always a looker, but the 2024 Kia Stinger Tribute takes it to another level. The interior, now encapsulated in premium Terracotta Brown Leather, is tastefully paired with simulated carbon fiber, exuding a luxurious, premium feel. The headrests now sport a Wasp logo, while the door sills have unique engraved model numbers representing the 1,000 around the world. The interior is also highly practical, offering an ample 42.6 inches of front leg room, 36.4 inches for rear passengers, and a total of 40.9 cubic feet for cargo space. One of, if not the best use of space in the luxury sedan segment.

Not much has changed regarding the exterior, besides two new exterior paint options for the Stinger Tribute; Moonscape Matte Gray and Ascot Green.

Packed With Premium Features

The Kia Stinger Tribute comes with premium convenience features and a plethora of safety features as expected from a vehicle of this class.
For convenience, the Kia Stinger Tribute offers:

• 10.25 inch Center Touchscreen Console with Navigation
• 16-Way Power Front Seating
• 7-inch LCD Cluster
• Heads-Up-Display
• Harman Kardon Premium Audio System
• Remote Start with Climate Control
• Voice Assistant
• Stolen Vehicle Recovery
• Drive Mode Select System
• and much more.

Having received an IIHS Top Safety Pick + Award, a 5-Star NHTSA Safety Rating, and a #1 Brand in Vehicle Dependability Award by J.D. Power, the 2023 Kia Stinger’s safety and reliability speaks for itself. For driver assist and safety features, the 2024 Kia Stringer Tribute comes with Kia Drive Wise, Kia’s suite of safety technology. Features include:

• Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with junction Turning
• Surround View Monitor
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning with Available Blind-Spot View Monitor
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collison-Avoidance Assist
• Low Beam Assist-Dynamic

Concluding Thoughts

It’s a bittersweet affair to say farewell to the Kia Stinger. After all, the Stinger was one of the first vehicles to change the consumers’ perception of the Korean brand. However, with sad endings come new beginnings, and seeing how KIA is continuing Stinger’s legacy through the KIA EV6, it’s only a matter of time for newer and greater things to come from KIA. The Kia Stinger Tribute Special edition is now available, starting at $54,565.

In the meantime check out our current KIA Stinger inventory at Safford KIA of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Come take a look and schedule a test drive today!