The Kia Stinger, you’ve probably already heard, is the real deal, an honest challenger to a car like the BMW M340i. And also cheaper. On Tuesday, Kia confirmed that the base model will get 300 hp, or 45 hp more than the outgoing one, as we first heard in AugustThe Kia Stinger strives for the ideal.
Not that 255 horsepower from the four-cylinder is anything to smell in the base 2021 model, and you could always step up to the twin-turbo V6 and get 365 horsepower. But, and maybe this is just an aesthetic thing, 255 horsepower always felt excruciatingly close the right amount of horsepower, but short-lived and therefore insufficient. Three hundred sixty-five horsepower, on the other hand, felt like a little overcompensating.
That leads us to today, when Kia confirmed it had corrected his grave mistake. The base Stinger gets 300 horsepower from a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder; that power is controlled by an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Kia is also very enthusiastic about some new LEDs.
- Standard LED headlamps with a new DRL signature or optional “Stinger signature” LED DRLs and headlamps
- Standard rear LED tail lights bridged by a striking new tail light design that spans the full width of the tailgate; GT trims get a full LED treatment with LED turn signals
- New 18- and 19-inch wheels characterized by sleek and technical geometric shapes
- More aggressive exhaust tailpipe design for better visual appeal
I am more excited by the Scorpion finish, which will come alongside the GT Line, GT1 and GT2 finish.
The Scorpion Special Edition coming out this late spring accelerates Stinger’s appeal even more with:
- Select exterior colors: Snow White, Aurora Black and Ceramic Silver
- Rear spoiler
- Darkened fenders, side mirror caps and dark exhaust tips
- Unique black wheels
- Carbon fiber pattern interior trim
Kia says it has also managed to pull out another three horsepower from the V6 in the higher trims as it now delivers 368 horsepower, but the fact that the base is up to 300 horsepower does some of the appeal of that motor. Both are available with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, with gas mileage somewhat affected by the four-cylinder version in the latter. The four-cylinder version gets a combined 25 mpg in RWD and a combined 24 mpg in AWD, while the V6 gets a combined 20 mpg in both. Still, the four-cylinder numbers are just as good as the outgoing 255 horsepower engine.
The 2022 Kia Stinger also has most, if not all, of the driver assistance systems that modern cars have, such as adaptive cruise control and various collision warnings and lane assist system, all optional.
Here’s how much each trim of the 2022 Kia Stinger will start:
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We are rapidly approaching a time when automakers will start making their Last Good Internal Combustion Engine Cars, given the massive shift across the industry to electric. Or maybe we aren’t, and carmakers will be setting aside a niche company to make ICE cars for enthusiasts. Regardless, the 2022 Kia Stinger feels both timeless and a bit like a relic, a 300 horsepower rear-wheel drive sports sedan. Enjoy it while it lasts.
