The 2022 Kia Stinger is a continuation of the car that has been billed as a viable alternative to German sport sedans. And why not? With development guided by former BMW M honcho Albert Biermann, the Stinger offers serious performance. For 2022, it just gets stronger.
The 2022 Kia Stinger combines the size of a near-luxury midsize sedan with powerful engine options and athletic handling. Its liftback body style and extra cargo capacity provides more flexibility than a standard sedan. Think of it as an Asian alternative to the Audi A5 Sportback.
The Kia Stinger is available in various trim levels and with a choice of two engines. Standard is a new turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4 making 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The engine upgrade adds up to 45 more ponies and 61 lb-ft of torque. A move to the higher GT1, GT2, and Scorpion Special Edition (based on the GT2) brings with it a newer version of the 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6. This engine now makes 368 horsepower, a bump from the former model’s 365 hp. The torque remains the same at 376 lb-ft. Both engines employ 8-speed automatic transmissions.
Rear-Drive Sport Sedan with an AWD Option
The 2022 Stinger is rear-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available with both engines on all trim levels. The AWD system mating to the 3.3-liter twin-turbo engine is more sophisticated and includes torque-vectoring for greater cornering ability. All-wheel drive is available for an additional $2,000.
The base Stinger GT-Line starts at $37,135, including a $1,040 destination fee. Built to carry five passengers, it starts with the base 2.5-liter turbo inline-4 and an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift levers and rear drive. There is a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen display with Kia’s UVO Link infotainment system, a 9-speaker sound system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.
A Fully-loaded Stinger
The fully-loaded Kia Stinger Scorpion Special Edition is $56,980, including destination fee. It’s powered by the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine and comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shifters and all-wheel drive. The AWD setup features an electronically-controlled transfer case and Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control. It gets its stopping power via Brembo performance brakes. Creature comforts include all the GT1 goodies and adds a Harman Kardon QuantumLogic Premium audio system with Clari-Fi, 720 watts, and 15 speakers.
A fully-loaded Kia Stinger GT2 Scorpion Special Edition model ($56,980) lines up with these features:
- 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine (368 hp/376 lb-ft)
- Scorpion Special Edition Package: $1,295
- All-wheel drive (AWD) with electronic transfer case and torque vectoring included with Scorpion package
- Aurora Black Pearl paint: $495
- Digital instrument cluster with 7.0-inch screen
- 10.25-inch touchscreen display with Harman Kardon Premium Audio and Clari-Fi
- Cargo net: $50
- Wheel locks: $60
- Rear bumper applique: $80
- Door sill applique: $110
- Cargo tray: $115
- Mud guards: $115
- Cargo tray seat Back: $130
Here’s a look at some of the included content:
Kia’s 3.3-liter Twin-Turbo V6 Engine
The 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 from Kia has received a slight power increase and now turns out 368 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. It’s matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift levers. That transmission combines with an AWD system as part of the Scorpion / GT2 packages and can romp to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.
Scorpion Special Edition Package
The Kia Stinger with the Scorpion Special Edition Package is based on the existing Stinger GT2 trim level. It includes extras such as a rear spoiler, unique black finish wheels, dark exhaust tips, fender garnish, black mirror caps, and carbon fiber interior trim. This package adds $1,295 to your complete price.
AWD with Controlled Transfer Case and Torque Vectoring
Stinger’s electric AWD system is distinct for several reasons. It is rear-biased, like a sports car, rather than the front bias-based style found on many sedans. In normal drive mode, it will settle for a 40:60 split of front to rear power. When driving in sport mode, it adjusts to almost a 20:80 split, but that split is variable and can send more power front or rearward as needed. It can make a driver’s skill levels appear better than they actually are.
Harman Kardon Premium Audio
The Harman Kardon Premium Audio 15-speaker system includes Harman’s Clari-Fi technology that helps to restore “waveform deficiencies” from satellite radio and other audio sources. In real-time, the system restores the music for a fuller, clearer, more dynamic sound that is faithful to the original recording.
Safety Features
From a safety standpoint, the Stinger includes parking distance warning sensors, Blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, safe exit assist, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist, driver-attention warning, a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Lane-keep assist, Lane-following assist, brake fade compensation, and more are part of the Kia Stinger safety equipment kit.
More Kia Stinger
Read our full review or build and price your own Kia Stinger GT2 Scorpion Special Edition AWD. If you’re ready to take the next step, find the perfect Kia Stinger model on sale near you.
