Kia
Stinger
Nissan
370Z
Kia Stinger vs Nissan 370Z: 2021 Comparison
The short answer
The Kia Stinger offers power, while the Nissan 370Z excels at fuel economy instead. Choose the Kia Stinger if you prioritize power in daily driving, or the Nissan 370Z if fuel economy matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Stinger
Overall
Mixed to positive sentiment, with a clear distinction between engine variants. The 3.3L twin-turbo V6 (TT) models are widely praised for their strong acceleration, smooth power delivery, and compelling value proposition as a sporty, practical liftback. Owners report high satisfaction with the car's unique styling, engaging driving dynamics, and spacious, feature-rich interior.
Best version to buy
3.3L Twin-Turbo V6 GT models (GT, GT1, GT2). The V6 engine is consistently highlighted as transformative, providing the power and responsiveness that defines the car's sporty character.
Known issues
- ⚠Poor rear visibility: very small rear window, thick C-pillars creating significant blind spots. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Transmission behavior in manual/sequential mode: slow to respond to manual shift inputs, computer forces upshifts, downshifts take too long. Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠Turbo lag (2.0L/2.5L 4-cylinder models): significant delay in power delivery, sluggish acceleration from a stop. Frequency: recurrent.
370Z
Overall
The sentiment is generally positive, with the 370Z described as a reliable, fun, and capable sports car that can handle daily driving and spirited use. It is praised for its stout VQ37VHR engine, which loves high RPMs and is considered solid with proper maintenance, capable of lasting well over 200,000 miles. The chassis is viewed as proven and capable, with good aftermarket support.
Best version to buy
The Sport Touring trim (or Sport trim in some markets) is recommended for its additional features. For later models (2013+), the facelift is preferred.
Known issues
- ⚠Clutch Slave Cylinder (CSC) failure: The concentric slave cylinder is a known weak point, often failing and causing clutch hydraulic issues. A CSC delete kit is the recommended solution. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Oil Gallery Gasket failure: Primarily affects 2009-2011 models, where paper gaskets can fail, leading to low oil pressure and potential engine damage. Requires engine-out service to replace with updated gaskets. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Steering Wheel Lock failure: An electronic failure that can lock the steering column, primarily noted in 2009-2011 models. Frequency: recurrent.
The verdict
The Nissan 370Z is the better choice for most buyers.
It has better fuel economy on its best-equipped version than the Kia Stinger, based on the data above. If power matters more to you than running costs, the Kia Stinger is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Kia Stinger or the Nissan 370Z?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Kia Stinger and the Nissan 370Z. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Kia Stinger or the Nissan 370Z?
The Kia Stinger seats more passengers than the Nissan 370Z on its catalogued best-equipped version. Body type also differs: the Kia Stinger is classed as a Liftback, the Nissan 370Z as a Coupe.
Which has better fuel economy, the Kia Stinger or the Nissan 370Z?
The Nissan 370Z is more fuel-efficient on paper: 11.2 L/100km combined versus 11.8-11.9 L/100km for the Kia Stinger, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Kia Stinger or the Nissan 370Z?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but reliability signals above are the closest proxy: fewer reported issues generally means lower repair costs over time.