Since its introduction, the Kia Stinger has been provided with two engines: a 255-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a 365-hp 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6. And though it nonetheless had the very good chassis, the four-cylinder was persistently outshined by its monster sibling with two additional cylinders and one other turbo. It wasn’t simply due to the decrease energy output – the four-cylinder was additionally unremarkable with sluggish response as well. That modifications for 2022, as Kia has changed the two.0-liter engine with a 2.5-liter that makes way more energy, and simply as necessary, is livelier, extra refined and higher suited to a efficiency sedan just like the Stinger. In actual fact, the brand new 2.5 makes a case for itself over the V6.
Whereas all of the GT trims function the V6, which is barely barely up to date for 2022, the four-cylinder is unique to the GT-Line trim and vice versa. Output for the two.5 is 300 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque, substantial will increase of 45 horsepower and 51 pound-feet of torque over the outdated engine. And as you’d anticipate, it makes the Stinger GT-Line faster than its predecessor, with the producer’s 0-60 mph time listed as 5.2 seconds versus 5.9 for the outdated automobile.
Gasoline economic system improves, too, however not practically to the identical diploma. When outfitted with the usual rear-wheel drive, the Stinger GT-Line manages 22 mpg within the metropolis, 32 on the freeway and 25 in mixed driving. The earlier four-cylinder solely bought 29 mpg on the freeway, although metropolis and mixed scores had been the identical. Including all-wheel-drive brings gasoline economic system right down to 21 within the metropolis, 29 on the freeway and 24 in mixed driving, the identical as earlier than. The V6 returns 20 mpg mixed.
Not like its predecessor, the brand new 2.5-liter feels far livelier all through the facility band. When it is out of enhance, it does not really feel painfully gradual because of its elevated displacement, and the enhance builds extra quickly. It comes on easily, too. The V6 tends to wallop you with its turbos. It is exhilarating, however is not all the time welcome, particularly when you’re attempting to be clean and exact. So the smoothness and controllability of the four-cylinder is sort of good. Moreover, the four-cylinder feels prefer it retains making energy within the excessive a part of the rev band, whereas the outdated one appeared to lose energy sooner. The eight-speed computerized is an effective match for the engine as nicely, with clean and immediate shifts that comes near the famed ZF eight-speed in functionality.
Complementing the peppy four-pot is the keen, pointy nostril. Having two fewer cylinders, only one twin-cam cylinder head and only one turbo means there’s far much less weight on the nostril. As such, the Stinger GT-Line is extra prepared to smell out apexes. The automobile feels higher balanced, too, quite than feeling just like the again finish is far lighter. These are all nice issues when it has such a fantastically communicative chassis paired with super-quick and exact steering. It additionally makes it simpler to catch the again finish stepping out, which it is going to fortunately do when requested.
Now, it is not excellent. The engine nonetheless does not have an particularly nice voice. Additionally, the brakes are efficient, however a little bit tough to modulate. The pedal is a little bit tender, and it is simple so as to add just a bit an excessive amount of stress coming as much as a stoplight, leading to a barely inelegant halt. However they’re nothing we would think about a deal breaker.
The Stinger can be rather well outfitted. The GT-Line appears to be like precisely the identical as its V6 siblings, save for the wheel designs, so you do not lose something when it comes to type. Inside it positive aspects Kia’s new, bigger 10.25-inch infotainment system with the newest Kia consumer interface discovered within the Telluride, Carnival, and many others. It additionally has proximity entry and push-button begin, heated leather-based seats, dual-zone computerized local weather management and a wi-fi telephone charger. As for driver assists, it will get Kia’s newest iterations of blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise management with lane centering, rear cross-traffic alert and computerized emergency braking. And all of that is included for $37,365. That is a strong enhance of $3,227 over final yr’s mannequin, however you might be getting considerably extra efficiency. And for reference, the four-cylinder continues to be an entire $7,600 cheaper than the bottom V6.
The Stinger GT-Line is definitely an enormous enchancment over the earlier base mannequin. It is quicker, extra environment friendly and way more enjoyable. On the identical time, its extra playful dealing with, lower cost level and higher gasoline economic system are actual causes to decide on it over the pricier, extra highly effective GT. It is not simply a budget Stinger, it might simply be thought-about the higher one.
Associated video:
