2022 Kia Stinger

The 2022 Kia Stinger is a performance-oriented mid-size car with a svelte but practical hatchback body and a choice between turbocharged 4- and 6-cylinder engines paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or all-wheel drive.

An update for 2022 brings more power to the base engine, additional standard driver-assistance tech, and a 10.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment with upgraded software. A special Scorpion trim level brings additional paint colors and black wheels to the party, too.

The turbo-4 is the more efficient of the two engine options at 22 mpg city, 32 highway, 25 combined. AWD dips that to 21/29/24 mpg. The V-6 is rated at 18/25/20 mpg, or 17/24/20 mpg with AWD.

Strong crash-test ratings include a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating for all trim levels from the IIHS. Automatic emergency braking, active lane control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors are standard across the line, while a surround-view camera system and head-up display, along with a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster that projects a live blind-spot view, are optional.

Model Lineup

With the standard turbo-4 engine, Stinger GT-Line models anchor the lineup at $37,860 to start. Look for a power driver’s seat, leather trim, a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, wireless smartphone charging pad, heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a host of crash-avoidance features. A sunroof is paired with 15-speaker Harman/Kardon audio and a power-adjustable passenger’s seat.

Opt for the more powerful V-6 engine and you’ll find yourself behind the wheel of the GT1 trim level, which also adds 19-inch wheels, accent lighting, and the sunroof, Harman/Kardon audio system, and power passenger’s seat that are optional on the GT1. Its price rings in at $44,735 to start.

The GT2 tops the line at $53,060 with softer nappa leather, cooled front seats and heated rear seats, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and a power liftgate. Add the Scorpion package with its styling bits, plus all-wheel drive, and you’ll be looking at a $56,550 bill.

Kia includes a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty on the Stinger.

Exterior

The Stinger boasts long, lean proportions with fine detailing. Slight styling tweaks for 2022 include new LED lighting with a signature running light cue.

The long hood and sloping roofline hint at impressive underhood power. Subtle flares to the wheel arches accommodate 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels, depending on the trim level. At the rear, a large tailgate opens as a single panel; it may look like a sedan, but the Stinger offers a bit more versatility thanks to its hatchback configuration.

This year’s new Scorpion package adds black-finish wheels and exterior trim plus a rear spoiler.

Interior

For all its standard tech, the Stinger’s dashboard has a minimalistic feel with three large, circular air vents forming the centerpiece. This year’s new 10.3-inch touchscreen is a natural fit, and the rest of the knobs and buttons are easy enough to find and operate.

Additional chrome elements give the dashboard just enough pop to prevent it from being overly monotone. Depending on the trim level, Kia offers beige, black, and dark red color schemes inside.

At over 190 inches long, the Stinger is sized about like a costlier Mercedes-Benz E-Class or BMW 5-Series. That means a spacious, comfortable interior. Front-seat passengers have power-adjustable seats wrapped in leather, while rear-seat riders will find 36.4 inches of leg room. Softer leather comes standard on the range-topping GT2 trim level.

The liftgate opens to reveal 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space, which is deep enough to accommodate a pair of golf bags. The space is wide enough to handle a bicycle, too.

Driving Impressions

A new 2.5-liter turbo-4 sends 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque to the rear or all four wheels on GT-Line versions. GT1 and GT2 models live up to their names with a 3.3-liter turbocharged V-6 rated at 368 horsepower. On all, an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is standard fare.

Rear-wheel drive comes standard, while AWD with dynamic torque vectoring costs $2,200 more.

The Stinger rides on a long wheelbase and its suspension is tuned in the firm, but not punishing tradition of big German cruisers. While not quite nimble due to its big dimensions, the Stinger features dialed-in steering that makes it a terrific highway or canyon road companion rather than a track-oriented model.

Final Word

The shapely Kia Stinger delivers serious turbocharged thrust, a spacious and well-appointed cabin, and a ton of features all for a reasonable price. This year’s new turbo-4 serves up plenty of power without a big penalty at the gas pump.

—by Andrew Ganz, with driving impressions from The Car Connection