2022 Kia Stinger

　　

2022 Kia Stinger Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The Kia Stinger is a sporty sedan that helped redefine what Kia stands for. There haven't been a lot of updates since its debut in 2018, but that all changes with the 2022 model year. First up is a new turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It produces 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That's almost 50 hp more than last year and similar to what you might typically get from an upgraded performance engine in a midsize sedan such as Kia's K5. Oh, and the Stinger offers its own performance upgrade too: a 368-hp turbocharged V6, which gets a sportier exhaust sound for 2022.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$178/mo  for Stinger GT-Line

　　Stinger GT-Line

　　GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $36,290 MSRPGT-Line 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $38,490 MSRPGT1 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $43,890 MSRPGT1 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $46,090 MSRPGT2 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $51,490 MSRPGT2 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $53,690 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Outside, the Stinger receives a subtle styling update, most noticeable in the headlights and taillights. On the inside, a 10.25-inch touchscreen will be available as the top-of-the-line display and replace the previous 8-inch upgrade touchscreen. Other new tech includes a safe-exit warning system that alerts passengers of approaching traffic as they open a door and a blind-spot view monitor that shows a live image of what's in your blind spot. Rounding out the changes for 2022 is a new Scorpion Special Edition package that gives the Stinger a sportier look thanks to dark-painted wheels and exterior trim.

　　Overall, we think highly of the Stinger. But it is a niche sedan for people who want something that's sportier and more fun to drive than a typical midsize sedan but don't have the budget to get a luxury sport sedan. So should you get one? We think so. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our test team's full analysis of the 2022 Stinger's performance, utility and more.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar spent a year with a 2018 Kia Stinger GT, racking up more than 18,000 miles during our test. We tested a well-equipped GT2 model with all the bells and whistles, including Kia's 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. Although the Stinger has been updated for 2022, our observations apply for the 2022 model.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Stinger drive? We tested the Stinger GT-Line with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive. It's smooth and responsive and provides quicker acceleration than most other sedans in this price range. In zzdcar' testing, the Stinger hit 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, which is decently quick. There's also the V6-equipped Stinger GT1 or GT2 if you need more power. With that engine the Stinger rips from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds.

　　Braking performance isn't quite as good. It took the Stinger GT-Line 133 feet to stop from 60 mph, which is longer than the braking distance we get from many SUVs we test. We blame the GT-Line trim's all-season tires, which aren't particularly grippy. Those tires also hold it back when it comes to handling, though the Stinger still feels responsive and fun on winding roads. It leans more in the corners than other sport sedans, but it's fairly composed overall. The Stinger's steering is a highlight. It's on the lighter side, but there's a decent amount of feedback. It's quick and precise and makes the car feel relatively nimble.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Stinger? While it doesn't balance comfort and performance as well as the V6-powered Stinger GT, we found the four-cylinder GT-Line to be smooth and refined. The suspension smooths out bumps and imperfections pretty well, but the ride can get a little jittery on rough pavement. The seats are the bigger letdown. The fronts are well shaped with plenty of support, but the padding is a bit too stiff and can reduce comfort on long drives. The rear seats are stiff too and somewhat flat. They're not uncomfortable, but they're not outstanding either.

　　The Stinger is pretty quiet. At idle, you occasionally need to look at the tachometer to see if the engine is still on. When you get moving, there's a mild amount of wind and road noise, but nothing unacceptable for the class. The standard dual-zone climate control works well and has easy-to-use controls.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below