2022 Kia Stinger: The Sport Sedan Lives

With the 2022 Kia Stinger, consumers still have the opportunity to drive a powerful, RWD sedan with plenty of luxury amenities. Get ‘em while you can.

What’s New for the 2022 Kia Stinger

Four years after its debut, the new 2022 Kia Stinger continues to offer a compelling rear-wheel-drive (RWD) sport sedan alternative to the German competition. The previous base motor, a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder making 255 horsepower, is replaced with a more potent 2.5-liter mill putting out an even 300 horses.

Revised wheel designs, bigger exhaust tips, and a full-width rear lighting setup spruce up the exterior. Models equipped with the V6 see a modest, 3 hp power bump thanks to a freer flowing exhaust and all versions benefit from the standard 10.25” infotainment screen. Atop the trim ladder, GT2 Stingers offer a new Scorpion edition that applies a “paint it black” treatment.

2022 Kia Stinger - kiamedia.com

2022 Kia Stinger – kiamedia.com |  Shop 2022 Kia Stinger on Carsforsale.com

Body Style

Starting Price

MSRP $37,135

Drivetrain

Drivetrain

RWD or AWD

Drivetrain

Fuel Economy

22 City / 32 Hwy (MPG)

Number of Seats

Seating

Seats 5

The Breakdown

Entry level gets a 300 horsepower upgrade

All Stingers have 10″ infotainment display

Red Nappa Leather adds some interior spice

Lots of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

Twin-turbo V6 begs for a manual transmission

A value-minded alternative to German competitors

2022 Kia Stinger Specs

Trims & Pricing

GT-Line - $37,135
GT1 - $44,735
GT2 - $52,335

2022 Kia Stinger Powertrain

2022 Kia Stinger Turbo V6 - kiamedia.com
2022 Kia Stinger Turbo V6 - kiamedia.com

For 2022, the base motor increases output by 45 horses to make 300 and 311 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic routes power to the rear wheels or all four if so optioned. When equipped with AWD, torque vectoring control and an electronically controlled transfer case handle distribution of power. Drivers can also modify engine, transmission, suspension, and steering tuning via the Drive Mode Select knob with settings for Sport, Comfort, Eco, Smart, and Custom.

A healthy 368 hp and 376 torques is on hand with the optional 3.3-liter, twin-turbo V6 motor which can also be fitted with AWD. With the beefy engine comes Brembo brakes (four pistons up front, dual out back), a variably valved exhaust system, and adaptive suspension. Standard paddle shifters and a flat-bottomed steering wheel add sporting flair during the 4.7-second blast to 60.

2022 Kia Stinger Fuel Economy & MPG

2022 Kia Stinger - kiamedia.com
2022 Kia Stinger - kiamedia.com

As expected, the 2022 Kia Stinger’s 4-cylinder engine offers the best fuel efficiency in RWD form at 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Those figures drop to 21 and 29, respectively when AWD is added. The potent, twin-turbo V6 comes with weaker fuel economy of 18 mpg around town and 25 mpg on the open road. Subtract one from each figure for an AWD model and if budgeting is on your mind, be aware the Stinger sips premium octane.

Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space

You won’t find cloth seating in the 2022 Kia Stinger, but you can find red Nappa leather that is sure to impress. Leather extends to the shifter and steering wheel while heating and ventilation is offered for front and rear occupants, depending on trim. With GT2 trim, the driver is treated to a seat that adjusts 16 different ways while the passenger has 12 options. The steering wheel tilt and telescope can be power-adjusted, rain sensing windshield wipers are standard, and the climate control can monitor and adjust cabin temperature and humidity levels.

Open up the fastback hatch manually on base models, or automatically with the Smart Key on higher trims, to find 41 cubic feet of storage with the 60/40 split rear seat folded down. Additional cargo can be stored in the tray beneath the cargo floor. Other comfort-focused amenities include memory seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and ambient interior lighting.

2022 Kia Stinger Entertainment & Technology

2022 Kia Stinger - kiamedia.com
2022 Kia Stinger - kiamedia.com

Every new 2022 Kia Stinger comes with a 10.25” infotainment display for navigation duty, smartphone mirroring, plus split screen functionality. Qi wireless charging is standard as are a USB port front and back. An available 720-watt, 15-speaker Harman Kardon stereo should keep audiophiles happy and the heads-up-display helps focus the driver’s eyes focused out front.

When equipped with the 7” digital gauge cluster, footage from the blind view monitors can be shown as can the G-Force Meter, turbo boost pressure, and lap timer readouts. UVO telematics tech can calculate optimal routes with real time traffic taken into account, allow for voce control of climate settings, and integrate with Alexa or Google Assistant.

Safety Features

IIHS awarded the 2022 Kia Stinger its Top Safety Pick+ rating thanks in part to the seven standard airbags and lengthy list of ADAS. Forward collision warning, navigation based smart cruise control, highway-driving assist, and safe exit warning are some of the included systems. The optional blind spot view monitor uses cameras to display what’s happening in the vehicle blind spots and a surround view monitor gives a bird’s eye perspective of the exterior.

2022 Kia Stinger Trims & Pricing

2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line - kiamedia.com
2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line - kiamedia.com

GT-Line – $37,135

As the entry point, 2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line models feature the smaller, turbocharged 4-cylinder powering the rear wheels, though all-wheel drive (AWD) can be tacked on for $2,200. Black chrome trim is used on the exterior along with 18” alloys, and dual chrome exhaust tips. The side mirrors are heated and LED lamps are used front to back including with the Smart Welcome feature, which illuminates door pocket lights when the key is detected.

Leather upholstery inside is heated up front with power-adjustability for the driver’s seat. Solar control glass and sound absorbing front glass ensures a comfortable interior along with the dual zone, automatic climate control. Kia’s Drive Wise suite of seven standard driver assistance systems is on hand including automatic high beams and a driver attention monitor.

A 10” touchscreen sits atop the dash to control Apple and Android software as well as interfacing with UVO telematics tech. Also standard on the GT-Line is wireless phone charging, dual USB ports and navigation. For $2300, the Sun & Sound package nets a sunroof, power-adjustable passenger seat, and Harman Kardon’s 15-speaker QuantumLogic sound system.

2022 Kia Stinger GT1 - kiamedia.com
2022 Kia Stinger GT1 - kiamedia.com

GT1 – $44,735

Stepping up a Stinger GT1 brings the 368 horse, twin-turbo V6 power plant run through size 19 Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires. Additional chassis upgrades at this level include a limited-slip differential in RWD configuration, electronically controlled suspension, and a Brembo braking system. Amenities like a 9-speaker audio system, ambient interior lighting, and the oversized moonroof are included with the GT1. Though no packages are available here, AWD can be added for $2200.

2022 Kia Stinger GT2 - kia.com
2022 Kia Stinger GT2 - kia.com

GT2 – $52,335

For the $50K+ cost, Stinger GT2 models add auto-dimming side mirrors, a hands-free trunk, and upgraded bi-function LED headlights that move based on steering inputs to provide directional lighting at night. Nappa leather swaddles occupants, as do the ventilated front seats and heated rears. Cameras offer live feeds of blind spots and a 360° exterior view that are shown on the larger, 7” thin-film-transistor instrument panel. GT2 trim offers access to the $1295 Scorpion package that blacks out the trim, adds carbon fiber interior bits, and unique black finished rims.

Warranties

At this point, Kia is well known for its unbeatable 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. There is no complimentary maintenance for the 2022 Kia Stinger, but roadside assistance is included for 5 years or 60,000 miles. That’s the same period of coverage for basic vehicle components and rust perforations in the body are warrantied for 5 years or 100,000 miles.

What We Think

2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line and GT1 - kiamedia.com

2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line and GT1 – kiamedia.com |  Shop 2022 Kia Stinger on Carsforsale.com

High powered, rear-wheel drive sport sedans are a dying breed. Ford doesn’t even make sedans anymore. Most of the options are of the high-priced German variety, so the 2022 Kia Stinger represents an opportunity to get behind the wheel of legit performance and luxury at a relatively value-minded price point. I want one.

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Niel Stender

Niel Stender grew up doing replacement work on his 1990 Cherokee and 1989 Starion, so it’s not surprising that he would put his mechanical engineering degree from the University of New Hampshire to use in the car world as a vehicle dynamics engineer. Now engineering sentence structures, his writing infuses his auto experience with his time in marketing and his sales experience. Writing about cars for close to a decade now, he focuses on some of the more technical mechanical systems that are found under the hood and throughout a vehicle.

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