The Kia Stinger is a mid-sized premium sports sedan debuted in 2017 by South Korean carmaker Kia. At the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, the Kia Stinger was revealed as a concept car under the moniker "Kia GT Concept." The strong response prompted Kia to turn the idea into a commercial model. The Stinger debuted in 2017 with a sleek and sporty design emphasizing its performance-oriented qualities. The 2022 Kia Stinger boasts an attractive appearance, a catchy moniker, a respectable performance, and SUV-like practicality. It aspires high to take on the European automobile elites and almost succeeds. The Stinger is a fantastic choice for enthusiasts on a budget since, compared to competitors like the Audi A5 Sport back and the BMW 4-series Gran Coupe, it offers a similar luxury look and feel in addition to tons of driving verve. The Stinger shares its outstanding Genesis G70 sedan-based underpinnings hiding its roomier cabin, more extensive cargo area, and hatchback liftgate with a seductive fastback roofline.

2022 Kia Stinger Trim Levels and Prices

Kia offers three trim levels for the new 2022 Stinger. The following are the prices:

• The turbocharged, 300-horsepower Stinger GT-Line starts at $37,135. This is the finest deal

• The Stinger GT1 with dual turbochargers and 368 horsepower costs $44,735.This one is the most cost-effective.

• The twin-turbo Stinger GT2 adds more standard features and costs $52,335. This one is laden with luxury.

Feature and design of 2022 Kia Stinger:

INTERIOR:

• The Stinger has a tremendous flat-bottomed, stubby steering wheel that appears sporty, and the three air-conditioning vents shaped like turbines and located in the dashboard's center further enhance the athletic appearance.
• The Kia Stinger boasts the roomiest interior among the competition.
• Adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and other driver aids are available (depending on trim level and package).
• The interior design and craftsmanship of the Stinger are remarkable and on pace with other luxury sedans in the competition, which is a significant plus.
• The base sound system is adequate, but the one included with the GT2 trim level falls just short of flawless. The GT2 trim has a 720-watt, 15-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system that elevates the music experience to new heights.

Exterior:

• The aggressive grille of the 2022 Kia Stinger has angular lines and sharp angles that give it a menacing appearance. Two smaller vents are on either side of the grille's center chrome-plated portion.
• The Kia Stinger's headlamps are distinctive in their way. They have LED fog lights for enhanced visibility in the dark and LED daytime running lights for better visibility in West Nyack, New York, during the day.

• A wide range of wheel options, from basic to larger, more attractive designs. Alloy wheels in various finishes add to the Stinger's upmarket appeal.
• Functional aerodynamic components, including air diffusers and vents, for increased effectiveness and efficiency.

Powerful Engines and Smooth Transmissions

For the 2022 Stinger turbocharged engines are available: a new 300-hp 2.5-liter turbo-four and a 368-hp twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6. Although we haven't tested the new Engine, the V-6's thrilling performance has our enthusiast hearts racing. In our experience, the eight-speed automatic transmission combined with both engines offers quick shifts and is unobtrusive when left to shift independently. However, we wish the paddle shifters responded faster to driver inputs. Nonetheless, the V-6-powered Stinger GT does not disappoint those only interested in high straight-line speeds. During our track testing, the Stinger GT mastered straight-line speed and accelerated to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.

Fuel efficiency and actual MPG

The rear-drive, four-cylinder 2022 Stinger offers the best-predicted fuel economy, at 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. Naturally, a V-6 engine with more power is less efficient, especially with all-wheel drive, which lowers city and highway mileage estimates to 17 mpg and 24 mpg, respectively. While we haven't put the new 2.5-liter turbo-four through its paces on our 75-mph highway route, the all-wheel-drive, V-6 vehicle we tested returned 26 mpg in that test.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Kia's UVO infotainment system, which includes an 8.0- or 10.3-inch touchscreen blended with helpful tactile controls, is used to good use in the Stinger. A six-speaker radio system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard. Audiophiles can choose from a 15-speaker Harman/Kardon radio system, and Kia provides many other tech options, including a wireless smartphone charging pad and in-dash navigation.

Good Cargo Versatility

The cargo area offers 23.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats elevated, more than any other midsize sedan on the market. The site is even larger and more significant when the flat seats are folded. Small-item storage is also beneficial. The center console and door pockets are generously sized, and a little bin in front of the enormous cupholders is ideal for storing a phone or sunglasses. When you need more cargo room, the standard 60/40-split rear backrest folds nearly flat with the cargo floor and measures 15.1 cubic feet.

Performance

The rear-wheel-drive Stinger GT-Line, which has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, accelerates faster than most other sedans in this price range. During testing, the Stinger reached 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, which is quite speedy. If you require more power, there's also the V6-powered Stinger GT1 or GT2. With that engine, the Stinger goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. The steering of the Stinger is very impressive. It's on the light side, but there's plenty of response. It's quick and precise, and it makes the car feel agile.

Comfort

The four-cylinder GT-Line impressed us with its refinement and smoothness. Although the suspension does an excellent job absorbing flaws and shocks, uneven pavement can make the ride a little twitchy. The more considerable letdown is the seating. The fronts have a lot of support and are well-shaped. The Stinger is remarkably silent. You need to occasionally check the tachometer at idle to make sure the engine is still running. When you start moving, there is some road and wind noise, but nothing too loud for the class. The basic dual-zone temperature control system functions effectively and offers simple controls.

Sensible Technology:

All trim levels feature a 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia system with navigation, satellite radio functionality, and smartphone compatibility via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Kia also includes a lane-centering feature. It's meant to maintain the car in its lane continuously tugging on the steering wheel or ping-pongs between the lane lines. It's a simple system with physical controls where they make sense, such as volume and station tuning knobs. Apart from the screen, there are no touch-sensitive controls on the inside, and as more modern cars incorporate touch controls, the relative simplicity of the Stinger's buttons, knobs, and switches is welcome. A wireless charging pad, a few USB ports, and 12-volt outlets are available for charging.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The following are important safety features:

• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition is available.
• Lane-departure warnings and lane-keeping assistance are also available.
• Adaptive cruise control is available.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Kia's extended powertrain warranty is nearly legendary, easily outlasting every other car in this group in terms of length of coverage. Unlike many premium-branded competitors, the Stinger does not provide free scheduled maintenance.

• The guarantee is valid for five years or 60,000 miles.
• The powertrain warranty is valid for ten years or 100,000 miles.
• There is no free planned maintenance.

Review

• The interior of the Stinger has received great marks from many critics for its stylish design, premium materials, and cozy seating. The cabin combines sportiness and luxury to provide a modern, pleasurable driving experience.
• Reviews frequently praise the Kia Stinger's potent engine choices and fun driving characteristics. Twin-turbocharged engines offer outstanding acceleration and an exhilarating driving experience in higher trim levels.
• The Stinger frequently has many standard amenities, including cutting-edge safety technologies, entertainment choices, and driver assistance systems, even in its basic model.
• When comparing the Stinger's performance, features, and overall quality to its pricing point, reviews typically point out that it presents a strong value proposition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 2022 Kia Stinger is a strong contender in the mid-sized premium sports sedan sector. The Stinger combines sportiness and elegance with its distinctive look, large cabin, and powerful engine options. It provides an engaging driving experience, especially in higher trim levels with twin-turbo engines. The Stinger's appealing pricing, rich features, and overall value proposition set it apart. The Kia Stinger remains a great candidate for fans looking for an affordable yet enjoyable driving experience, thanks to its combination of performance, comfort, and utility.