2019 Kia Stinger

The 2019 Stinger comes in 5 trim levels and 2 engine options. The Base trim car has features like dual-zone automatic climate control, sporty 18-inch wheels, and power-adjustable driver and passenger seats. Adaptive cruise control is standard on all trim levels. The Premium trim adds heated and ventilated seats, a power sunroof, LED headlights & taillights, and an upgraded infotainment system. For 2019, all these features can be had with the Sun & Sound package on the base trim which costs $2,800. 

Which Trim should you buy?

Writing this from an economical point of view, the 2019 Kia Stinger Premium trim level should be the ideal choice here. The inline-4 engine returns a good balance of performance and fuel economy. The trim itself offers near luxurious features like power-adjustable seats, sunroof, memory functions, etc so there is no need for additional packages and options unless you are willing to spend much more and get the higher trims.

The 2019 Stinger comes with two engine choices - a 2.0L, inline-4 turbo engine that produces 255 hp & 260 lb-ft of torque is present on the Base and Premium trims. The GT, GT1, and GT2 trims get a bigger 3.3L, twin-turbo V-6 that produces 365 hp & 376 lb-ft of torque. Both of these engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with $2,200 extra to be paid for the AWD variants. 

The inline-4 engine is quick for its size and the transmission shifts smoothly throughout the gears. Driving on the highways with this engine will let you realize its limitations but you won’t miss the power for quick overtakes. The 3.3L, V-6 engine propels this car effortlessly. As it is evident the bigger engine stays more prepared for on-demand power both in the city and on the highways.

The Kia Stinger isn’t the quickest car in the segment but it is the cheapest one and still has similar performance compared to its famed rivals. Mercedes has performed slightly better in the 0-60 MPH tests along with the Giulia which has similar results. Both cars have a $6000-$7000 price difference when compared to the Kia which cannot really justify the 0.5 seconds’ advantage.

How well does the 2019 Kia Stinger handle?

The 2019 Kia Stinger is a fun performance car with driving dynamics suitable for the average driver. The steering response is very balanced; it stays light at low speeds and gets tighter as you speed up. The suspension setup is tuned for a balanced driving experience. Even though it’s a low-slung sedan, a very minute body roll can be observed if steered too aggressively. 

The base trim doesn’t get any suspension upgrades but the overall ride quality is pleasant. The GT trims with their adaptive suspension setups will definitely feel better to drive in Comfort mode. Switch it into the Sports mode and the car rides stiff. Combine that with the 19-inch wheels and it isn’t a pleasing experience.

Braking Performance

The 2019 Stinger comes equipped with comparatively smaller brakes than the rivals. Yet, the overall performance doesn’t take a hit, and it is the heaviest car in the segment. The GT trims get Brembo brakes and that will improve the overall feel of the brakes. On the standard trims, the brakes perform linearly and gradually however some might feel the pedal travel is a bit too much. In high-performance scenarios, wider tires and the Brembo brakes of the GT trims will perform better.

The Mercedes has managed to keep the weight low but has put less emphasis on the rear braking performance, having the smallest rotors at the back. Alfa Romeo has the best braking performance in the segment but the differences are very minute. Overall, all the cars have potent braking performance and with stickier performance tires it will just get better.

The fuel economy is one weak point in the 2019 Stinger. With 22 MPG in the city, it isn’t the poorest performer in the group but the highway fuel economy numbers are indeed poor on the Stinger. The V-6 engine gets it down further at 17 MPG in the city, and 25 MPG on the highway. The Eco mode may improve things a little bit but that also affects acceleration. The 15.9-gallon fuel tank capacity allows it 398 miles of combined range, which is the lowest in the group.

The Mercedes has always stayed ahead in the fuel economy game no matter what segment it is in. Alfa Romeo is performing neck to neck with the Benz with only 1 MPG of difference but has the smallest fuel tank capacity. With that fuel economy and a big fuel tank, Mercedes-Benz is the best overall performer in this department.

The 2019 Kia Stinger is available at an unbelievably low price tag but this doesn’t mean that Kia has cut corners. The cabin utilizes soft-touch materials for the dashboard and leather for the steering and upholstery. The door panels are made of hard plastics but the armrests are all leather-wrapped. Upgraded leather seats are available for the top trim levels with contrasting stitching. The overall interior resembles Mercedes cars, thanks to the circular A/C vents but the rest of the design is original.

The dashboard is covered in soft-touch material and has a twin-story design. There are multiple satin and glossy finished trim pieces in the cabin, from the center console to the door handles. The seats on the 2019 Singer are heavily bolstered and are comfortable enough for long drives. The seat padding might be firm for some people. The second-row seats can only accommodate 2 passengers as the seat bench is bolstered well for two and there’s a big transmission tunnel present on the floor. The headroom in the second row is fine despite that sloping roofline. Heated and ventilated seats will make the driving experience much more pleasurable.

Storage capacity on the 2019 Stinger is the best-in-class by a standing mile. The boot opens in a hatchback style and the opening is very wide. Putting stuff inside is a breeze in this car. The seats can be folded but they don’t fold completely flat, which is not a big issue though. There is ample room for storing smaller items in the doors and behind the seats. Compared to the competition, the Stinger has more than double the cargo room. 

Standout interior features:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat
• Eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Nappa leather upholstery
• Ventilated front seats

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2019 Stinger comes with a good infotainment setup as standard and a better system can be had for not much of a premium. The base trim comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay as standard. The higher trims get a better and bigger 8-inch touchscreen and 720-watt Harman Kardon system. The Sun & Sound package will add this to the base trim. The sound quality of the system is good and the sound doesn’t distort even when loud. Kia has done a real fine job providing such a feature-loaded system irrespective of the price.

Standout infotainment features:

• 7.0/8.0-inch touch screen
• SiriusXM/FM/AM
• Bluetooth
• Harman Kardon premium audio
• Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
• Navigation
• Wireless charging

The 2019 Kia Stinger has a design language of a much more performance-oriented car than it is. While automakers are shifting towards curvy, flowy designs, Kia is still offering an aggressive exterior package. The air intakes at the front are all legit. The base model comes with projector headlights but DRLs are standard on all. The hood of the car has some chiseled body lines and the side profile of the car is pretty amazing. Compared to the front end, the rear end is dulled down a bit with just a taillight setup and a twin-port quad-tip exhaust setup. The 2019 Stinger is one gorgeous-looking car in the segment.

The aggressive stance of the Stinger is all thanks to the longest wheelbase and overall length. The ground clearance on the Stinger is more livable compared to the Benz’s and Giulia’s. In performance retrospect, these two will handle better but practicality might bea bit too much to expect from them. 

Standout exterior features:

• Twin slotted DRL setup
• Mirror finished external mirrors
• LED headlights
• Twin-port quad-tip exhaust setup
• Chrome and black exterior trim

The 2019 Kia Stinger offers blind-spot monitor and parking sensors as standard along with the mandatory safety gear. Regarding the structural strength, the NHTSA hasn’t tested the Stinger yet but IIHS has awarded it the Top Safety Pick+ as the vehicle has scored well in all the tests. The optional frontal crash prevention it comes with has also got a ‘Superior’ rating. Kia has made sure that you consider buying the higher trims by keeping features exclusive to them.

Standout safety features:

• Blind-spot monitor
• Parking sensors
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Automatic emergency braking (Trim Exclusive)
• Forward collision warning (Trim Exclusive)
• Adaptive cruise control (Trim Exclusive)
• Auto headlights (Trim Exclusive)
• Active lane keep assist (Trim Exclusive)
• Surround camera system (Trim Exclusive)

2019 Kia Stinger vs 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300

Mercedes has an illustrious automotive history behind them compared to the newly launched Stinger. The interior of the Benz is classy and the front row seats are much better. The C300 has more standard safety features compared to the Stinger but also has a much heavier price tag. Performance-wise both cars offer a wide variety of engines and options. It is tricky to directly point at one.

2019 Kia Stinger vs 2019 Lexus IS300

The IS300 has an overall luxurious feel to it. The interior of the Lexus leans towards elegance, rather than outright sportiness. The infotainment system on the Lexus lacks smartphone compatibility and the F-Sport trim is pricey compared to the GT trims of Stinger. You can consider the IS300 definitely if you plan on selling it afterward as it offers solid resale values.

2019 Kia Stinger vs 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia

Both the cars are almost on the same page on the exterior design, interior, and comfort departments. The safety suite is also optional on the Alfa Romeo. The differences start appearing once you see the Quadrifoglio spec sheet; it has downright insane power and insane price. The Giulia offers much better fuel economy on the base trim but lacks cargo space. A less economical vehicle can be lived with but with less storage space? Not really.

The 2019 Kia Stinger is an amazing value-for-money car at any trim level. The 2.0L engine has ample power for city and highway use. The infotainment system is feature-rich even on the base trim. Cargo carrying capacity is much better than what rivals offer. Not just the performance, but the 2019 Stinger is one stunning looking car, and calling it the best in the segment won’t be an understatement. Kia is offering a bit too much for a lesser price as they have to stand against the strong German rivals. The 2019 Stinger is a car every buyer should consider who seeks style, substance, and performance; all in one.