2020 Kia Stinger

The 2020 Kia Stinger is a bargain in most trims- The Car Connection

Kia has simplified trim levels for the Stinger this year and now comes in four trim levels. These include GT-Line, GT, GT1, and GT2. The Stinger starts from $33,090 and it goes all the way up to $52,500 for the GT2 trim. Add to this a $995 destination fee. RWD drivetrain is standard but a choice of AWD configuration is available at an extra cost of $2,200. 

The Stinger is considered a premium sports sedan in the entire Kia lineup and hence, a wide array of standard features are offered. The GT-Line is available with the optional Sun and Sound package that adds a 15-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, and a sunroof. The content of this package is standard from the GT1 onwards. 

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We think the GT1 trim is the best all-rounder trim in terms of features and performance. This trim adds adaptive suspension, ventilated front seats, an 8-inch touchscreen with a navigation system, a 7-inch instrument cluster a 15-speaker rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, a sunroof, and a suite of active safety features. 

If you are mindful of your gas usage, then go for the four-cylinder- Carbuzz

The Kia Stinger's 2.0L turbocharged engine sips more fuel than most of its competitors. The EPA-estimated fuel ratings are 22 MPG in the city, 29 MPG on a highway, and 25 MPG combined. The fuel economy drops down by 1 MPG if an AWD system is selected. The 365-hp V6's fuel ratings include 17 MPG in the city, 25 MPG on a highway, and 20 MPG combined. 

Considering the output its powertrain yields, these figures don’t seem too shabby. You'll appreciate the Stinger's inoffensive but defeatable automatic engine start/stop system, which saves fuel while the vehicle is motionless. With the 15.9-gallon at its full capacity, the sedan can travel up to 398 miles in RWD form. The models with the 3.3L engine deliver only 31.8 miles combined. 

The Alfa Romeo Giulia has wonderful fuel efficiency. Its fuel estimates are similar to the Audi A5 Sportback but the former is more powerful. Housing the same powertrain as the Stinger, the Genesis G70's fuel economy is more or less the same as its cousin. Overall. the Stinger's fuel economy is relatively poor in its class.

The interior is a handsome, well-made space that cossets you with ample equipment and a surprising amount of noise isolation- Autotrader

With a capacity to seat 5 passengers, the Kia Stinger’s interior is roomy and spacious. 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. 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. While heated seats are standard ventilated front seats are optional. The available premium leather upholstery only adds to the premium feel of the cabin. Commodious head and legroom are found in the front while tall passengers will meet the roof in the back due to the sloping roofline. This also causes the rear visibility to be hampered.

Kia’s UVO 7 or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is intuitive and user-friendly. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come as standard, a feature many high-end cars list as optional. you will love the screen resolution and touch response. The touchscreen is complemented by several physical buttons and dials for quick climate and audio settings. A 15-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system is reserved only for the GT1 and GT2 trims. 

With an enormous cargo capacity of 23.3 cubic feet to load all of your stuff, the Stinger impresses and leads the segment.  This space expands to 40.9 cubic feet that to the split-folding rear seats. That's a lot of space for a sport sedan. You can easily fit in enough luggage for four persons. Some important cabin features are mentioned below:

• Power tilt & telescopic multi-function leather steering wheel
• Power front heated & ventilated seats
• Leather & premium leather upholstery
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Heated rear seats
• Hands-free trunk 
• Aluminum scuff plate
• 7 & 8-inch touchscreen w/ Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• 15-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system
• Wireless charging

The silhouette could be mistaken for an Audi A5 Sportback- Kelly Blue Book

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-Benz. One can argue that the Korean manufacturer almost got it right in trying to mimic a sports sedan design. Faux air vents sit on the hood giving a rather bold look that 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. 

Its fenders bulge appropriately with air intakes placed right alongside it by the side skirts. Hard character lines draw across the profile. Rolling on 18-inch alloy wheels, the sedan spans 190.2 inches bumper to bumper with a 114.4-inch wheelbase. 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.

The low ground clearance of the Alfa Romeo Giulia assists a lot to deliver brisk acceleration. The Audi A5 Sportback has a shorter wheelbase than the Stinger but its interior is spacious. Although the Genesis G70 is a cousin of the Stinger, their exterior dimensions differ a lot. Some main exterior features of the Stinger include:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED auto high-beam headlights
• LED taillights
• LED DRLs
• Power-folding, auto-dimming, heated exterior mirrors
• Black-chrome grille
• Quad exhaust chrome tips

The Stinger also has nearly every driver assist that we report on available as an option- CarAndDriver

The Kia Stinger received five out of five stars from NHTSA. It also received the Top Safety Pick award from IIHS for its excellent performance in all crash tests. A 'Superior' rating was given to the Stinger for its front crash prevention while its headlights received 'Good' for models with LED headlights. 

The Stinger offers a host of safety features that ensures that the sedan manages to keep the people inside as safe as possible. The base GT-Line comes with limited active safety technologies but from the GT trim onwards, more driver aids are available. These along with seven airbags keep the passengers safe. Some of those include- 

• Blind-spot monitor
• Front & rear parking sensors
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rearview camera
• 360-degree camera
• Lane keep assist
• Lane departure warning
• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision warning
• Pedestrian detection
• Driver drowsiness monitor
• Head-up display
• Automatic emergency braking

2020 Kia Stinger vs 2020 Genesis G70

Both these cars are built on the same platform and come with the same engine options. Like, the Stinger, even the Genesis G70 offers a razor-sharp handling but below-average fuel economy. The Stinger's interior feels slightly more spacious than the G70 and its hatchback-like profile leads to better cargo space. The Stinger also offers certain comfort features as standard whereas the G70 charges extra for them. Being a luxury sedan, the G70 offers a wealth of standard river aids and a larger infotainment screen. 

2020 Kia Stinger vs 2020 Audi A5 Sportback 

The Audi A5 Sportback cost nearly 10 grand more than the Stinger but that's definitely worth it. Its driving dynamics are really good and so is its fuel economy. Even the A5 Sportback has a hatchback-like profile just like the Stinger and therefore, good cargo room. Without a doubt, its cabin is more luxurious and technologically advanced than the Stinger. The Stinger stands out with a lengthier powertrain warranty. If a heavy price tag is not a barrier for you, pick the A5 Sportback. 

2020 Kia Stinger vs 2020 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 Stinger. Its optional V6 engine delivers mind-blowing acceleration and is certainly more powerful than the V6 of stinger. While practicality and safety features take a hit on the Giulia, the Stinger comes open arms with it. Those looking for a sporty performance sedan with good practicality on a budget should look for the Stinger. Otherwise, the Giulia is downright a better option. 

The 2020 Kia Stinger is slowly catching up with the enthusiasts but not with the base model, oh not at all. The base powertrain and its driving dynamics are less sporty than its intention while its practicality is unseen in this segment. The midsize 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. In conclusion, if robust performance is what you crave, go for the GT trims over the base model.