SUMMARY
Kia has announced more specs on the 2022 Kia Stinger, the brand’s sport sedan. This new iteration aims to fight against the European sport sedans, delivering as much of an experience as that of its rivals. This model is great for the car enthusiast on the budget, with roaring performance that can compete with the others.
LATEST
The 2022 model of the Kia Stinger received a big update compared to its predecessors, with a new turbocharged engine that gives it beefier performance. It even allows buyers the option to go for a better performing Turbocharged V6 that even improves the exhaust sound with its inclusion. It also comes with an update to the exterior stylings, with the head and taillights being the flashiest of all the new additions. Other elements that were redesigned include that Stinger’s wheels and exhaust tips. The interior’s touchscreen has been widened to 10.25 inches, replacing the 8-inch touchscreens from the 2021 model. Lastly, Kia is offering the Scorpion package for buyers who want their cars to have a sportier look. One of the package’s offerings is a dark-painted color scheme for the Stinger’s wheels and exterior.
ESTIMATED PRICE
The Kia Stinger comes with three trim levels: GT-Line, GT1, and the GT2. The GT-Line model will start at the price of $36,090*. GT1 models will have an asking price of $43,690*. Lastly, the GT2 model will be priced at $51,290*.
MACHINE PERFORMANCE
The newest iteration of the Kia Stinger has been given an overhaul when it comes to the engine. Not only that, buyers will have the option to choose from 2 different turbocharged engines. These are the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and the Twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 engine. The former is capable of producing 300 horsepower and 421 Newton Meters of torque, while the latter V6 raises that up with an impressive 368 horsepower and 510 Newton Meters of output. A new electronic variable exhaust valve system gives it a much lower exhaust tone in its Sport mode, while being much quieter in both the Eco or Comfort modes.
The engine’s power is distributed via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Stinger is available in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with it being able to go from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.7 seconds. The higher tier GT1 and GT2 models come with Brembo brakes, giving some nice brake performance. The GT-Line doesn’t come with these powerful brakes and are equipped with all-season tires, making handling much less responsive than its counterparts.
For city driving and everyday outings, the Stinger does perform as well as a sports sedan should. However, the performance at high speeds is a bit lacking. The ride experience when the Stinger is pushed to its limits isn’t as refined as that of the competition, with the rear suspension having some problems. When cornering hard, drivers may experience some unwanted side step, along with some pitching issues when throttling down hard on the accelerator or even during high-speed brake runs. These issues are exacerbated when it comes to the standard GT-Line trim.
FUEL EFFICIENT & ACTUAL MPG
Kia has made strives to improve the fuel economy of the Stinger. For those looking for fuel efficiency, the 2.5-L Turbo four-cylinder engine with rear-wheel drive is the best choice. Its EPA ratings come in at 22 MPG/City and 32 MPG/Highway. The V6 engine is much less fuel efficient, with it getting lower with the all-wheel drive system. It drops down to 17 MPG/City and 24 MPG/Highway. It does gain an additional 1 MPG all throughout when it comes to the rear-wheel drive model.
INTERIOR, SOLACE & BAGGAGE
The design of the Kia Stinger is still quite attractive and luxurious, though still not on the same level as that of its European counterparts. The lower quality material and construction is just about right when considering the Stinger’s price point, so it still is fine when taken into account. It does do one thing better than many other sport sedans, with that being how comfortable the rear seating is.
Overall, the interior cabin is still quite well made, but it just doesn’t have the same polish when the other options are in play. Trunk volume is similar to that of its rivals, with just a bit less space when compared with the others. The center console is quite large, compensating for the fact that its front-door pockets are one of the smallest in this class.
TECHNOLOGY
All models of the Kia Stinger come with the brand’s in-house infotainment system, named UVO. Using the app, the Stinger’s heating and ventilation systems for the seats can be pre-activated. It also allows for remote customization of the car’s features, including both audio and navigation. It comes standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, with a six-speaker stereo sound system and a voice control system available. The touchscreen of the Stinger can either be an 8.0 or 10.3-inch screen that come with physical buttons for navigating the various features available.
The Bluetooth function of the Kia Stinger allows two devices connected at once, with one being for multimedia and the other for hand-free phone functions. Kia is offering quite a lot with the different tech packages for buyers. One of these is perfect for Audiophiles and music lovers: A 15-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo sound system. A wireless charging pad and in-dash navigation system is also available as options.
SAFETY
The 2022 Kia Stinger is quite a remarkable vehicle in this category, scoring 5 stars in its overall safety rating with the NHTSA. It comes with nearly every form of driver-assistance technology, either as standard or optional features. Available options include automated emergency braking, pedestrian-detection systems, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance systems, and adaptive cruise control.
WARRANTY
Kia offers one of the longest spanning powertrain warranty plans, being covered for 10 years or the first 100,000 miles driven. The Limited warranty coverage spans for 5 years or the first 60,000 miles. It is quite disappointing that Kia does not offer any complimentary scheduled maintenance, especially as most of the other competing brands do.