Used 2022 Kia Stinger

The Kia Stinger greets 2022 with a few revisions — namely, a new more powerful base engine and a sharper exterior look.

Kia built the 2022 Stinger not as a sedan (with a trunk), but as a hatchback in a similar vein as the Audi A5 Sportback. That’s absolutely fine with us, though. It’s just great that there’s a relatively affordable car with driver appeal that makes a credible alternative to desirable rides like the A5 Sportback and the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

For this 2022 model year, the GT trim has been discontinued, with some of its features trickling down to the entry-level 2022 GT-Line. However, a Kia Stinger Scorpion Special Edition has made its debut, sporting its own cosmetic touches.

Which is the fastest Kia Stinger? Frustratingly, the company hadn’t released any standstill-to-60 mph times or curb weights while compiling this review, and we’re especially interested in how the new engine performs.

Top speeds are 130 mph for the GT-Line and 167 mph for the GT1 and GT2. All variants have shift paddles mounted behind the steering wheel, enabling extra driver engagement whenever the mood arises. The GT models also have a launch control mode. And the twin-turbocharged V6 to make those launches swift.

With either engine, the 2022 Stinger is a true sports sedan (although the sedan part is arguable). There’s poise and grip, both amplified by all-wheel drive and the GT2’s adaptive suspension. Yet it can also handle commutes and long trips with comfort and serenity.

The Stinger has driving modes to suit different conditions: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart. This last one enables customization, like having throttle and transmission responses in Sport while setting the steering for Comfort.

KBB’s Andy Bornhop recently spent some time in a 2022 Kia Stinger GT2 RWD V6. His experience? Excellent:

“This is a refined and solidly built sedan with plenty of power and superb handling dynamics. Though sporty, the suspension offers excellent everyday comfort, despite the aggressive low-profile high-performance summer tires (225/40R-19 front, 255/35R-19 rear). What’s more, the Stinger still gets tons of looks from an admiring public, and we like to feel the notable differences among the various drive modes. We suspect you’ll get a kick out of how the bolsters of the driver’s seat tighten to keep you snug in Sport mode — we do.

“Even though this low-slung Korean-built liftback sedan has a long 114.4-inch wheelbase, the Stinger has a tight turning radius, which aids maneuverability around town. We also appreciate the roomy front seats, as well as the rich Nappa leather upholstery, the larger touchscreen, and electronic niceties like a wireless smartphone charger and Apple CarPlay.

“All told, the latest Kia Stinger continues to impress us dynamically and aesthetically, and with its overall high level of quality. And although there have been rumors suggesting the Stinger is in its final year, we can assure you there will be a 2023 model.”

It’s pretty clear that the Stinger’s interior designers checked out several high-class European cars. The three large circular air vents and free-standing infotainment touchscreen (now measuring 10.25 inches on the diagonal) seem like a nod to Mercedes-Benz.

A flat-bottomed steering wheel is almost obligatory in sporty cars these days. And note the new Kia badge in the center. Although some cabin materials are definitely a cut above the usual Kia fare, they still fall a little short of the European competition.

This year, things are livened up by gloss black and chrome accents on the instrument panel. The GT2 also gains a special stitching pattern on the Nappa leather seating surfaces meant to evoke the “chain link” wristbands design of expensive watches.

There’s plenty of legroom throughout, but the sleek roofline compromises rear headroom. Six-footers should get their “shotgun” call in as soon as possible.

A long nose and short tail is a classic performance car look. There’s a specific treatment of the corporate Kia grille, but the Stinger tends to go its own stylistic way.

For 2022, new LED headlights and taillights are installed, along with a new “signature” of the LED daytime running lights. Kia also has fresh designs for the alloy wheels and a revised look for the exhaust outlets.

CHASSIS DYNAMICS
Yes, we’ve already said (in the Cons section) that the 2022 Stinger doesn’t quite have the same suspension magic that German cars like Audi and BMW always bring to the party. But this is most noticeable at the limits of grip, an area best explored on the track. Up to that point, though, the Stinger handles sweetly. Especially for the price. And the GT models come with Brembo brakes.

HATCHBACK BODY
As well as being a great driver’s machine, the Kia Stinger is pleasantly practical. The hatchback and folding rear seats bring a wagon-like ability to hold up to 40 cubic feet of cargo.

Trim levels for the 2022 Stinger range are GT-Line, GT1, and GT2. Kicking off with the GT-Line, standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, keyless entry/ignition, remote start, leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, perforated leather-wrapped/flat-bottomed steering wheel, wireless charging, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The infotainment system includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, and a 9-speaker audio setup.

Among the driver-assistance features are forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, rear parking sensors, and navigation-based adaptive cruise control.

The new Kia Stinger Scorpion Special Edition based on the GT2 features blacked-out fender trim and side mirror caps, dark exhaust tips, body colored rear spoiler, specific 19-inch alloy wheels in black, plus an interior sporting carbon-fiber trim and plush Nappa leather (in red or black).

Available in white, black, or silver, this new Stinger Scorpion Special Edition is limited to 250 sales per month.

Each variant of the 2022 Stinger is eligible for all-wheel drive. The GT versions have a more sophisticated AWD system, however, which comes with torque vectoring for greater cornering ability. A heated steering wheel is another extra across the range. A powered sunroof and a power-adjustable front passenger seat are optional in the GT-Line, standard in the GT1 and GT2 versions. The GT-Line can also be ordered with the GT2’s surround-sound system.

The GT1 has the V6 engine, launch control, limited-slip differential (with rear-wheel drive), 19-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes with red-painted calipers, and LED cabin lighting. It’s the GT2 where the luxury is really piled on.

The leather is upgraded to the good Nappa stuff, and it gains a power-adjustable steering column, heated/ventilated front seats, 16-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 12-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, memory settings, heated rear seats, power-operated trunk lid, 360-degree camera system, head-up display, front parking sensors, self-dimming side mirrors, 15-speaker/720-watt Harman Kardon surround-sound system, and an adaptive suspension.

For 2022, the GT-Line loses a 2.0-liter engine and receives a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder unit making 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That’s a gain of 45 more horses and an extra 61 lb-ft.

The GT1 and GT2 models retain their twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6, but it’s bumped from 365 to 368 horsepower. The torque remains at 376 lb-ft.

Both engines connect to an 8-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) as the standard setup, or all-wheel drive (AWD) available as an option across the range.

Anyone considering a new Stinger probably isn’t too concerned about gasoline bills. Both engines are reasonably fuel-efficient, but no more than that.

2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 (GT-Line)
300 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
311 lb-ft of torque @ 1,650-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 mpg (RWD), 21/29 mpg (AWD)

3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (GT, GT1, GT2, Scorpion)
368 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
376 lb-ft of torque @ 1,300-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg (RWD), 17/24 mpg (AWD)