Pros
- Larger infotainment screen
- Hugely entertaining to drive
- New 2.5L turbo-four option
Cons
- Expensive for a Kia-badged car
- V-6 could be more efficient
Kia is strengthening the Stinger lineup for the 2022 model year. Newly updated, the 2022 Kia Stinger aims to attract luxury-minded sport sedan buyers with key updates designed to improve its style and fun-to-drive nature. Here's what to expect for the 2022 Stinger hatchback.
Updated Design, Inside and Out
The Stinger is likely to enter the 2022 model year with a tweaked design that will help you tell it apart from a 2021 model, but not completely change its inherent love-it-or-hate-it design. In front, look for updated headlights. The Stinger will roll up to the valet with new wheel designs, and the taillights are set to be lightly restyled, too.
The changes are more significant inside, where most or all 2022 Stingers are expected to get a 10.3-inch touchscreen, a decent upgrade from the 8.0-inch touchscreen on 2021 models.
More Power
When it comes to the Genesis G70 and Kia Stinger, we've always liked the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V-6 more than the standard turbo-four, which struck us as adequate but not quite up to the standards set by class leaders. Turbo fours available on the Audi A4 and Alfa Romeo Giulia feel especially powerful from behind the wheel.
For the 2022 model year, Kia is expected to introduce a more powerful engine. Those not impressed by the 2021 Stinger's 255-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four will soon have the option of a 300-hp 2.5-liter turbo-four. And that makes sense, as a version of this engine (making 290 hp) is offered in the Kia K5 GT. Unlike that K5, however, the Stinger will continue to be offered with RWD and AWD.
How Efficient Will the New 2.5T Engine Be?
EPA-rated efficiency comes in at 22/32 mpg city/highway for the 2.5T engine, a slight improvement over the 2021 Stinger 2.0T's 22/29 mpg. With the 2.5T and AWD, those numbers drop to 21/29, matching last year's less powerful 2.0T-AWD model. Go for the 3.3-liter turbocharged V-6 and you can expect 18/25 mpg with RWD and 17/24 with AWD.
Key Competitors: