2022 Kia Stinger Review

The Kia Stinger GT is called an underappreciated gem by CNet. The magazine’s reviewers really liked how the new powertrain is quicker and more responsive. After all, that’s what sports cars are all about.

Motor Trend also wrote about the fact that the Stinger is hugely entertaining to drive. They also recognized the knockout design and the car’s near-luxury status. In its review, Kelley Blue Book pointed out aspects of the Stinger that could easily belong to a much pricier Mercedes Benz.

Part of what impresses reviewers is how the Kia Stinger GT can offer so much and yet cost so much less than a luxury ride with the same qualities. It’s a high performance ride with more standard features for the money.

With 117 cubic feet of interior space, the Stinger boasts a sizable cabin. Passengers enjoy 93.8 cubic feet of space on two rows. This is one sports car where there is plenty of room for second-row passengers.

A liftgate and cargo hold make the 2022 Stinger different from many sports cars. The sedan has 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space. There are organizational features, too, such as a cargo tray and a split-fold rear seat. With the second row folded, the owner can claim 40.9 cubic feet of cargo space.

Why do reviewers constantly compare the Stinger to European luxury rides? There are many refined details such as the circular air vents that would be at home in a Mercedes Benz. Likewise, the new free-standing style of the touchscreen seems like a luxury car touch.

There’s nothing essential missing from the new Stinger GT-Line. The driver gets a 12-way power chair, a luxury-level standard on the entry level Stinger. Drivers also enjoy a T-shaped shifter and a flat-bottom steering wheel as part of the sporty style.

Interior color choices include rich leather seats in black, red or beige. Glossy black, chrome, and other high quality accents add to the timeless appeal of the Stinger’s style. A 9-speaker premium sound system and full touch screen are especially valuable standards on this entry level model.

When the sun is melting the asphalt, the Stinger interior can stay cool. The driver and front passenger have automatic temperature controls to keep the air flowing according to their personal needs.

Stepping up to the GT1, the package adds a front power passenger chair. The cabin grows more refined with LED lighting and an extra-wide sunroof. Truly the best, the GT2 has Nappa leather with a unique stitched pattern. The driver steps up to a 16-way power chair with memory.

The liftback four-door sedan has a long nose with signature lighting. This distinctive front end is matched with an equally distinctive rear that has a remarkable short tail.

LED lights are universal, and a full-width LED bar creates the car’s unique lighting signature. Once again, a shopper will notice Kia’s effort to add value to the entry level package. Exterior standards include power-folding mirrors and rain-sensing wipers. Those features are generally reserved for top trim levels, even with many luxury sedans.

Among seven colors offered on the Kia Stinger, vibrant choices like Hi-Chroma Red have been joined with new color choices such as Ascot Green. Other favorites include Panthera Metallic and Micro Blue Pearl.

When shoppers choose the Kia Stinger Scorpion Special Edition, there are Scorpion-exclusive features and colors. Blacked-out accents, a rear spoiler, and quad exhaust tips set it apart from the regular GT2 trim level.

Kia knows how to create a package that is truly a bargain. One way the brand does this is by putting vital technology on the entry level GT-Line. For the first time, the standard infotainment system includes a large 10.3-inch touch screen, and it includes GPS navigation. The system’s capability is expanded by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The driver information screen is bigger for this model year, too. Push button start adds convenience while reducing cabin clutter. A remote start system and keyless entry make life easier for the owner. A wireless charger puts a bow on the standard technology.

While the regular audio system is quite good, the upgrade takes you from 9 to 15 speakers. This Harman Kardon system really surrounds you with sound. Paddle shifters let you grab the reins of the automatic transmission when you want some manual driving fun.

Most Unique Features

While navigation isn’t unusual, it is unusual, however, for the entry-level edition to have this standard. What’s more, Kia has a navigational system that can now work with the adaptive cruise control.

The navigation system informs the cruise control. This helps the system anticipate problems and adjust speed earlier in the process. As the Stinger approaches a sharp curve known to the navigation system, the adaptive cruise control knows to slow earlier. This reduces how much the traction system must intervene and can make driving more fun.

Performance

The Stinger GT driver commands a speedy 2.5-liter turbo. This engine delivers 300 horsepower, surpassing the previous model by 45 horses. With a gain of 60 pound-feet, the engine’s torque increases to 311 pound-feet. The drivers at Kelley Blue Book noted a top track speed of 130 miles per hour.

With more out, the Stinger is quicker to move. Faster response times and better driver feedback add to the excitement of driving this sports car. Owners can tailor Active Sound Design. It can be coordinated with the drive modes for the ultimate soundtrack for the drive.

The Stinger trim levels GT1 and GT2 are now faster, too. Kia has assigned them a twin-turbo V6. This 3.3-liter engine generates 368 horsepower. Offering more get-up-and-go, the maximum torque rate is now 376 pound-feet. With this engine, Kelley Blue Book drivers achieved 167 mile per hour speed at the track.

Handling

A performance engine needs the right systems to be fun to drive. That’s why Kia uses an 8-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. To ensure good stops, the engineers added Brembo brakes.

If you need an all-weather champion, the Stinger AWD edition is the answer. This all-wheel drivetrain is quite sophisticated.

The system utilizes torque vectoring to move power to wheels that aren’t spinning as fast as the others. This allows tires to gain grip in bad weather. It also makes cornering easier by making sure the outer wheels are going as fast as the inner wheels.

The Smart driver mode takes the best of the Sport and Comfort modes to create a response tailored to the driver. Stepping up to the Kia Stinger G1 trim level, the driver can use launch control. This holds the car just long enough to deliver a smoother, faster take-off.

The 2022 Kia Stinger GT2 model adds an adaptive suspension. This system reacts in real time to road conditions. Drivers can expect more predictable responses to their steering commands. Passengers can expect a smoother ride quality.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The 2022 Kia Stinger tries to be as safe as it is swift. It has five-star NHTSA ratings. For the first time, the sports sedan has a long list of standard driver assistance.

When you are driving, your efforts are backed up by a blind spot monitor, a lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The automatic emergency brake can be triggered by pedestrians or collision dangers.

With stop-and-go capability, adaptive cruise control is made better by lane centering capability. As mentioned, it is the rare system that actually harnesses navigation to give it a heads-up before curves and inclines.

Kia’s Blind Spot Collision Avoidance system includes active features that make it more responsive and helpful than similar systems that are strictly warnings.

The rearview camera is paired with a rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking. The combination really does reduce your chance of parking lot accidents. Helping you watch the curb, the power mirrors have a tilt-down capability Keeping the driver better informed than ever, the 2022 Kia Stinger GT2 has a 360-degree camera system and a head-up display.

This is one car that is fun to just test drive.