2022 Kia Stinger

 The base GT-Line trim makes for an affordable yet capable sports sedan. It is recommended to opt for the Sun and Sound package for more creature comforts. If you are looking for more power, the GT1 trim should be your pick as it replaces the base engine with a more powerful 3.3L engine and also adds a few creature comforts. 

The Stinger's base price is high for a midsize sedan, but it comes well equipped from the get-go- Edmunds

The updated 2022 Kia Stinger is now offered in three main trims namely GT-Line, GT1, and GT2. Pricing starts from $36,090 and it goes all the way up to $53,490, excluding a $1,045 destination fee. RWD is standard but AWD is an option across all trim levels. The 2022 Stinger Scorpion Special Edition is also available this year with unique exterior and interior styling. 

According to Kia, the Stinger Scorpion Special Edition is limited in sales to only 250 units per month. It is exclusively in Aurora Black, Ceramic Silver, and Snow White Pearl exterior colors. Since it is a Kia, the Stinger benefits from a long list of standard features. When it comes to optional features, only two packages are available, and that too for the GT-Line and the GT2 models. 

The Sun and Sound package adds a power sunroof, a 15-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and an 8-way power passenger's seat for $2,300. The $1,295 Scorpion package is the same as the aforementioned Scorpion Special Edition. This package is exclusive to the GT2 trim and adds carbon-fiber interior trim, black mirror caps, a reader spoiler, dark exhaust tips, black wheels, and fenders. 

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From the moment you pull away from a stop, it's obvious that the Kia Stinger is something special- Kelly Blue Book

The biggest update for the 2022 Kia Stinger takes place under the hood. Kia replaces the old 255-hp 2.0L turbo-4 engine with a new 2.5L turbo-4 engine that makes 300 hp and 311 lb-ft. of torque. The GT1 and GT2 trims come with a 3.3L turbo V6 that now gets a slight power boost from 365 hp to 368 hp due to the variable exhaust system. Both the engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. 

The sport chassis beneath this car helps to deliver a sporty performance but at the same time, offers poised handling. Turning into the corners feels fantastic thanks to its precise steering. AWD models offer better traction and grip on twisty roads. As expected, the suspension is firm and hence, you will feel all the harshness of the road inside the cabin. Therefore, don't expect a refined ride quality.

The increase in power boosts the Stinger's performance. This sports sedan can pull off a 5.2-second revving up from 0-60 MPH, with the base variant. The V6 models can get closer to the 4-second mark, which is really impressive. The quarter-mile mark is covered in 13.9 seconds Even its brakes provide good stopping power and take 124 feet to halt from 60 MPH. The V6 models get Brembo brakes that offer better braking performance. 

The Toyota Camry TRD is the odd one out here with a naturally aspirated V6 and an FWD drivetrain. The pricey Alfa Romeo Giulia gives a good challenge to the Stinger in terms of performance. The Genesis G70, on the other hand, is the slowest contender here owing to its underpowered engine. 

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The gas mileage figures for the 2022 Kia Stinger range from good to not so great- Carbuzz

The fuel economy has never been a concern for designers of a sports sedan and the 2022 Kia Stinger faces a similar problem. However, it isn't completely disappointing as it offers an average MPG of 22 in the suburbs, 32 MPG on the freeways, and 25 MPG combined with the base 2.5L engine. Now, these figures aren't too bad to consider. 

The GT1 and GT2 trims are rated at 18 MPG in the city, 25 MPG on a highway, and 20 MPG combined. AWD models drop the economy by 1 MPG. With the 15.9-gallon fuel tank, the Stinger pushes the combined range to a maximum of 398 miles in the GT-Line and 318 miles in the GT1 and GT2 models. Overall, the Stinger is far from efficient but is decent. 

The fuel estimates of the Alfa Romeo Giulia are better than all of its rivals. It also delivers a respectable driving range. Despite being less powerful, the Genesis G70's fuel economy isn't that appreciable. The MPG figures and range of the Toyota Camry are almost similar to the Stinger. The Stinger fares nicely against its rivals in this field. 

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The interior is a handsome, well-made space that cossets you with ample equipment and a surprising amount of noise isolation- Autotrader

The 2022 Kia Stinger boasts a grand interior. The cabin design is quite modern and fluent. With the optional Nappa leather fittings in the seating and the dashboard, the Stinger does come off as extravagant.  Also, the cabin has a sense of ergonomically planned interior, which gives you optimal functionality. Speaking of comfort, the well-cushioned seats and the soft-to-touch material feel nice and premium. A standard 12-way power driver's seat helps to find a comfortable driving position. 

Further amping the diver's comfort is standard heated and ventilated front seats. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels premium to hold and it is also available with heated functionality on higher trims. There is generous head and legroom in both rows, which is kind of unusual in this segment. The rear seats are also well-padded to provide comfort for longer trips. The GT2 trim also adds heated rear seats for the rear passengers. Overall, the Stinger's cabin is comfortable and spacious. 

The biggest update on the inside is in the infotainment system. The 2022 Stinger now features a 10.25-inch touchscreen display as standard throughout the range with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The touchscreen responds a bit slower but the screen's display quality is too good. The touchscreen is placed high at the top of the dash and is within the driver's reach. A 9-speaker stereo is standard but the GT2 trim upgrades to a 15-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. 

With regards to trunk space, this is another area where the Stinger excels. The liftback design helps it to offer a stunning 23.3 cu-ft., which is the best in the class. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats opens up more space for longer items. You also get some additional underfloor storage to small things. Therefore, the Stinger is the most practical car in its class. Some other interior features are:

• 16-way power driver's seat
• 12-way power passenger's seat
• Heated & ventilated leather front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• LED ambient lighting
• Heated steering wheel
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• 10.25-inch touchscreen w/ smartphone integration
• 15-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
• Wireless charging

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A long nose and short tail is a classic performance car look- Kelly Blue Book

Kia has refreshed the 2022 Stinger and this new look is the textbook definition of attractive. A streamlined design, lowered floor, and edgy body lines are what make the Stinger eye candy. Upfront, the Tiger nose grille has been made wider and gets chrome accents, not to forget the new Kia emblem. The LED headlights seem more aggressive and the GT2 trim gets a slightly different design. The entire front fender seems more masculine, and the aerodynamics are well catered to.

Speaking of wheels, the GT-Line trim gets 18-inch alloys while the V6 models come with 19-inch alloys featuring new geometric designs. The red Brembo brake calipers add contrast to these wheels. These wheels keep the sedan 5.1 inches above the ground. Coming to the rear, the Stinger has a hatchback-like design. The LED taillights have a different design for 2022 and they look cool. On the lower fascia, you get a supper-aggressive diffuser and it hides quad exhaust outlets. 

The Toyota Camry TRD sits 0.6 inches higher than the Stinger for better ride quality. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the shortest car here measuring 182.5 inches. With this car, taking tight turns or parking at tight parking spots is possible. The Genesis G70's wheelbase is shorter than the Stinger despite sharing the same platform. Hence, it lacks enough rear-seat space. Some cool exterior features are:

• LED auto high-beam headlights
• LED DRLs
• LED taillights
• Power-folding, auto-dimming, heated exterior mirrors
• Black chrome grille & mirrors
• 18 & 19-inch alloy wheels
• Quad exhaust chrome tips
• Black window trim

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The Stinger includes a number of standard driver aids and safety features- Edmunds

The sturdy build quality of the 2022 Kia Stinger will not disappoint you in this section. It bagged the Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS for its exceptional performance in all crash tests. It also received a perfect 5-star rating from NHTSA, which is definitely a good sign as to how safe the vehicle actually is.

Another big update for the refreshed Stinger is that Kia is now offering all of the driver-assist systems as standard across the lineup which weren't available previously at all on the base GT-Line trim. This is great news for those people who consider safety as their top priority. The list of features are given below:

• Blind-Spot Monitor
• Forward Collision Warning w/ Pedestrian Detection
• Safe Exit Assist
• Driver Attention Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Lane Keep Assist
• Lane Following Assist
• Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go
• Lane Change Assist
• Rearview Camera
• Surround-View Monitor
• Head-up display
• Front & rear parking sensors

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2022 Kia Stinger vs 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia

The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the most expensive sport sedan in this class. With the latest updates, the Stinger surpasses the Giulia in terms of performance but it cannot match the excellent driving dynamics of the Giulia. Surprisingly, it is also fuel-efficient and offers a roomy cabin. However, the cargo space is less and the list of driver aids on offer is much shorter than that of the Stinger. 

2022 Kia Stinger vs 2022 Toyota Camry TRD

Unlike the Stinger, the Toyota Camry TRD comes with a punchy naturally aspirated V6 but its acceleration is a bit slower. The Stinger's interior slightly feels more upscale but the Camry is spacious on the inside and features a user-friendly infotainment system. It also offers a long list of standard safety techs like the Stinger but it is ahead of the competition when it comes to reliability. 

2022 Kia Stinger vs 2022 Genesis G70

Although both these belong to the same parent company, there are significant differences between them. The Genesis G70's base engine is less powerful and hence, its on-road performance is slow but offers a refined ride quality. Also, its fuel efficiency is On the inside, the G70 feels more luxurious, though many tech features are similar. The rear passenger space and truck capacity is better in the Stinger. 

If you’re looking for a versatile and more adaptive vehicle, the 2022 Kia Stinger is one of the best options available in the market. Moreover, with affordable pricing and great features, the Stinger has more appeal in the industry. With a comfortable and premium interior set up along with a stylish exterior, the 2022 Stinger comes across as a lucrative sports sedan amongst its rivals.