2020 Kia Stinger

Impressing with its rich list of features and a decent powertrain in the base trim, the Kia Stinger also comes with the largest boot space in the segment and a spacious cabin. However, even with such niceties, the Stinger faces competitive rivalry against the likes of Alfa Romeo Giulia, Mercedes Benz C300 and its Japanese rival, the Infiniti Q50. In its second year, does the Stinger have what it takes to actually sting its rivals? Let’s find out.

The new Kia Stinger comes in 2 trim levels. The choice for RWD and AWD configurations are available for both trims, at an extra cost of $2,200. The Korean sedan also provides a stunning powertrain warranty coverage of 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Trims	Stinger (Base)	Premium
MSRP (RWD)	$32,900	$39,100
MSRP (AWD)	$35,100	$41,300
Key Features	Stinger includes:	Additional features to Stinger (Base):
	Projector-beam headlamps	LED headlights
	18” machined finish wheels	Power-adjustable steering wheel
	7-inch Infotainment System with 6-speaker audio	8-inch Infotainment System with 15-speaker Harman Kardon Sound system
	Leather Upholstery	Wireless Charging
	Blind Spot Collision Warning	Front ventilated seats

Kia’s base Stinger offers plenty of features for the pricepoint such as projector headlamps, 18" alloys, leather upholstery and a 7" infotainment system. Moving up the ladder, the Premium trim adds LED headlamps, an 8" infotainment system with 15 speaker Harman Kardon audio system, ventilated front seats and a wireless charging pad. 

We recommend

We suggest you go for the Premium trim as it adds quite a few nifty features over the already impressive base trim. The choice between RWD or AWD depends on your needs and priorities. 

“The 2020 Stinger’s ride and handling move Kia’s benchmarks higher, but track time isn’t its forte.” -thecarconection

Powering the 2020 Kia Stinger is a 2.0L turbocharged engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. Churning out 255hp and 260lb.-ft. of torque, the sedan has a decent powertrain, but one look at its V6 powered GT trims and you’d lament how underpowered the base configuration is.

Under the Kia Stinger’s base and Premium trims, the powertrain is smooth and responsive with linear power delivery. However, it does lack that extra-oomph factor you would expect from a "premium" sedan. You could push it with all your might, but the Stinger would not behave like an untamed beast. With Smart, Eco, Comfortable, and Sport driving modes, the sedan tries to alter its performance and ride quality, firm up its susension and powertrain but misses out on actually delivering these as compared to its rivals.

Models	Kia Stinger	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Infiniti Q50	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Genesis G70	Jaguar XE	Lexus IS 300
MSRP	$32,900	$38,195	$35,550	$43,400	$34,900	$46,235	$40,660
Engine	2.0L I-4 turbocharged	2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 cylinders	2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 cylinders	Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4, 2.0 L	2.0L, Turbocharged, Inline-4 cylinder engine	2.0L, Turbocharged, Inline-4 cylinder engine	2L I-4 Turbocharged
Transmission	8-speed Automatic Transmission	8-speed automatic transmission	7-speed automatic transmission	9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic	8-speed Automatic	8-speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic
Horsepower	255 hp @ 6200 rpm	280 hp @ 5200 rpm	208 hp @ 5500rpm	255 hp @ 5800 rpm	252 hp @ 6,200 rpm	247 hp @ 5500 rpm	241 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque	260 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm	306 lb.-ft. @ 2000-4800 rpm	258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm	273 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 1,400-4,000 rpm	269 ft-lbs. @ 1300 rpm	258 lb-ft @ 1,650 rpm

As for the Korean sedans competition, the Mercedes C300 has better torque while the Infiniti is underpowered by a tad bit. The Alfa Romeo Giulia has a more robust powertrain under its hood, leading the entire pack.

Acceleration

The Stinger can sprint from naught to 60 mph in flat 6 seconds and complete a quarter-mile drag race in 14.6 seconds. These timings are fine when compared to the rest of the competition but fall back by half a second compared to the similarly specced Mercedes C300 and the more powerful Giulia.

Models	Kia Stinger	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Infiniti Q50	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Genesis G70	Jaguar XE	Lexus IS 300
0-60 MPH	6.0 sec	5.5 sec	7	5.5 sec	6.0 sec	6.3 sec	6.9 sec
Quarter mile	14.6 sec @ 96 mph	14.1 sec @ 100 mph	15.4 @ 90 mph	14.1 sec @ 99 mph	14.6 sec	15.0 sec	15 sec*
Engine	2.0L	2.0 Liters	2.0 Liters	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	TBD	NA	NA	TBD	-	6.3*	NA

You will not have any problems overtaking other cars in the city conditions. The first gear is comparatively short which aides in the good acceleration stat for this car. The automatic transmission system onboard does good job in upshifts, however, there is also the option for a manual mode should you choose to take the matter on your own hands. 

Ride and Handling

Comfortable and poised, the rear-wheel driven Stinger has enough grip, responsive steering, and adequate body roll limitation. The chassis behaves quite stable even at high speeds with nimble handling around corners. Driving over bumps, the suspension on the 3700-pound heavy sedan soaks them quite effectively.

Different driving modes characterize the drivability of the Kia Stinger. this car also provides a traction control switch, which makes sure the sedan does not suddenly alter its personality on the track. Driving on Comfort is composed and pleasant, but tweak up to Sport mode and the steering and chassis stiffen up, getting you a tad rough and jittery drive. However, it’s indolence to be a sports sedan gets the better of it.

Braking

The 12” brakes on the Korean sedan are modulated and feel capable and firm. Halting to a standstill from 60mph is a different matter entirely. It takes a below average distance of around 165 feet to completely decelerate. Unlike the Kia, the Mercedes takes a shorter 153 feet while the Italian beauty, the Giulia, stops under 124 feet.

Model	Kia Stinger	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Infiniti Q50	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Genesis G70	Jaguar XE	Lexus IS 300
Brake Front (in.)	12.6	13	12.6	13	13.8	12.8	13.1
Brake Rear (in.)	12.4	12.5	12.1	11.8	-	12.8	12.2
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3649	3521	3671	3500*	3516	3500	3583
60-0 MPH (ft.)	165	124	NA	153	-	184	TBD

There is no noticeable nosedive under regular usage. However, under emergency situations, you will experience a slight nosedive which is expected from a car with a curb weight of 3650lbs. 

The South Korean sedans turbocharged 2.0L engine sips more fuel than most of its competitors as the sedan returns 22 miles per gallon in the city with a combined figure of 25 miles per gallon. Considering the output its powertrain yields, these figures don’t seem too shabby. However, the Giulia delivers 2 mpg more on an average, while the less powerful Q50 is closely even with the Stinger. With a similar powertrain though, the Mercedes C300 has better highway and combined efficiency.

Model	Kia Stinger	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Infiniti Q50	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Genesis G70	Jaguar XE	Lexus IS 300
MPG (city)	22	24	23	22	21	24	21
MPG (highway)	29	33	30	33	28	34	30
MPG (combined)	25	27	25	26	23	28	24

“The driver benefits from an excellent seating position and an ergonomically friendly control layout. Unfortunately for rear passengers, the Stinger has a low roof and limited toe room. Rear visibility is not as good as in other midsize sedans.” -edmunds

Seating and Comfort

With a capacity to seat 5 passengers, the Kia Stinger’s interior is roomy and spacious. The Stinger has done a decent job in mimicking the more expensive German cars as the seats are comfortable and offer ample support. There are enough adjustment options to find the perfect driving and seating position for the driver and the front passenger. The available leather upholstery only adds to the premium feel of the cabin.  

Model	Kia Stinger	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Infiniti Q50	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Genesis G70	Jaguar XE	Lexus IS 300
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.2/55.9/44.8	38.6/56.1/42.4	38.3/56.4/42.6	37.1/55.3/NA	39.7/56.3/42.6	-	40.2/56.7/44.5
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	36.9/53.4/32.2	37.6/53.6/35.1	37/54.8/36.4	37.1/55/NA	36.9/54.6/34.8	-	37.5/56.1/35.1

Commodious legroom and headspace are found in the front while tall passengers will meet the roof in the back due to the sloping roofline due to which rear visibility is also hampered. The cabin tries to look sharp and tasteful like the German marque’s and succeeds on some accounts of the quality materials used around the cabin. The hard plastic is well furnished to look and feel high-class.

Infotainment System

Kia’s UVO 7”/8" touch screen system is intuitive and user-friendly. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come as standard, a feature many high-end cars lists as optional. Some other standard features include 6 speakers for the base trim and 15 speaker Harman Kardon audio system for the Premium trim, Bluetooth and USB connectivity with an Aux port. 

 

Cargo Capacity

With an enormous cargo capacity of 23.3 cubic feet to load all of your stuff, the Stinger impresses and leads the segment. Amongst its competition, the closest rival being the Jaguar XE followed by the Q50 and Giulia, manage only 16 and 13 cubic feet respectively.

Model	Kia Stinger	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Infiniti Q50	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Genesis G70	Jaguar XE	Lexus IS 300
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	23.3	13.0	13.2	12.6	10.5	16.1	10.8

Interior Features

The handsome interior of the base trim of the Stinger includes –

• Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
• Leather seat upholstery
• Heated front seats
• 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat w/4-way lumbar support

The 2020 Kia Stinger’s lissome body is a winner. -The Car Connection

Design and Dimension

With a low stance and elongated profile, Kia's manufacturers have tried to design the Stinger to match the elegance of the top guns like BMW and Mercedes. One can argue that the Korean manufacturer almost got it right, but have gone a bit too awry in trying to mimic a sports sedan design, which is evident in its fastback inspired roofline.

Rolling on 18” alloy wheels, the sedan spans 190” bumper to bumper with a 114” wheelbase. Faux air vents sit on the hood giving a rather bold look which is accentuated by the famous prominent chrome-accented Kia front grille. The Korean sedan’s insignia sits over the grilles, flanked by the projector-beam headlights.

Model	Kia Stinger	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Infiniti Q50	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Genesis G70	Jaguar XE	Lexus IS 300
Curb weight (lbs.)	3649	3521	3671	3500*	3516 lbs	3500 lbs	3,583
Length(in)	190.2	182.6	189.6	184.5	184.4 in	183.9	184.3
Width(in)	73.6	73.7	71.8	71.3	72.8 in	77.4	71.3
Height(in)	55.1	56.5	57.2	56.3	55.1 in	55.8	56.3*
Ground clearance (in)	TBD	NA	5	3.8	5.1	-	5.3
Wheelbase (in)	114.4	111	112.2	111.8	111.6 in	111.6	110.2
Track width (in) F/R	62.8/64.8	61.3/63.9	60.8/61.6	61.5/60.9	-	62.8/62.4	60.4/61*

Its fenders bulge appropriately with air intakes placed right alongside it by the side skirts. Hard character lines draw across the profile. The sweeping roofline slope downwards completing the side meeting the rear taillights. At the rear, above the trunk faintly protrudes a spoiler for a bit of downforce. Stylish LED taillights stare beyond and quad-twin-tail pipes sit on either side.

Exterior Features

Some of the exterior features on the sedan include –

• 18-inch wheels
• Quad-twin Exhaust pipes
• Rearview camera
• Body-Colored Door Handles
• Projector-beam headlights
• LED Taillights

While not tested by neither NHTSA nor IIHS, the Kia Stinger offers a host of safety features that ensures that the sedan manages to keep the people inside as safe as possible. Some of those include-

• Blind-spot Monitors
• Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Blind Spot Collision Warning
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags

Kia Stinger vs Mercedes Benz C300

With a price difference of almost 10 grand, the Kia Stinger is built upon a comfortable chassis with decent power delivery and is better at practicality. What the Korean doesn’t do as good as the Mercedes C300 is a luxurious interior that is assembled with quality materials, 4-Matic driven solid performance and sporty driving dynamics. While safety features are found in abundance on both the sedans, the South Korean betters the German in its exceptional warranty coverage.

Kia Stinger vs Infiniti Q50

Amongst these rivals, the Infiniti Q50 would appeal more to a buyer in terms of its familiarity as a brand. While the Kia Stinger is a fairly new sedan in the market, it has decent performance, great practicality and plush interiors with an abundance of safety features, and a comfortable ride. The Infiniti is less of a driver’s car as compared to the Stinger. Our suggestion is biased towards the Stinger for it does pretty much what the Infiniti does and gets a few more brownie points for doing it better.

Kia Stinger vs Alfa Romeo Giulia

No doubt, the Alfa Romeo Giulia is an overall better sedan in terms of performance and driving dynamics as compared to the Kia Stinger. While practicality and cramped interior take a hit on the Giulia, the Stinger comes open arms with it. Under this rivalry, you should consider the GT series of the Kia which is a tad pricey than the Giulia but is a more refined sports sedan than the base Stinger.

 

Newly introduced in 2018, the Kia Stinger is slowly catching up with the enthusiasts but not with the base model, oh not at all. The base powertrain and it's driving dynamics are less sporty than its intention while its practicality is unseen in this segment.

The large sedan has what it takes, but only in its GT trims. While the base model isn’t any shoddy car, it is, in fact, a well-made sedan, but if you’re competing with the rivals as above, you should come prepared – something the base model tries to yet falls short in some areas. Conclusion; choose the competitors or the GT trims over the base model.

FAQ

Does the Stinger come in AWD configuration?

Yes, the Kia Stinger comes in both RWD as well as AWD configurations.

What are the warranty features on the 2020 Kia Stinger?

Kia provides a basic warranty for 5 years or 60000miles and a class-leading 10 years or 100000 miles powertrain warranty.

What is the cost of ownership for the Kia Stinger?

The estimated cost of ownership of the 2020 Kia Stinger over the period of the next 5 years in around $40000.

Will I get a good resale value on this car?

The estimated depreciation of the 2020 Kia Stinger over the next couple of years will be close to 20% of the current MSRP.