2022 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD Review

The momentum toward electric vehicles and the steady popularity of utility vehicles has put a crimp in the sales of sporty sedans. 

But there is still interest in the segment, carmakers believe, and a few like Kia are willing to show their faith in it by offering their own version of sport-oriented sedan, which looks as if it could take to the track. 

Overview: A Week With The 2022 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD

In Kia’s case the answer is the 2022 Stinger GT2 AWD, a four-door sedan with a muscular appearance and sure-footed performance. The Stinger also comes with a full array of comfort and convenience features as well as an array of driver assistance and connectivity technology, which motorists have come to expect from modern vehicles. 

The Kia Stinger’s overall package underscores the enormous, continuing appeal of sporty vehicles that have a knack for making the seat behind the wheel feel like it’s meant to be fun any time of the day or night. 

Exterior

Any sports sedan needs a top-notch exterior design if it wants to make its mark and stand apart from the competition. Kia’s stylists have endowed the 2022 Stinger with a distinctive and aggressive design, featuring broad shoulders, sleek flanks and a well-shaped nose, bearing the grille and nameplate. 

The elements blend into a kinetic design that underscores the car’s power and graceful lines. At the same time, the Stinger’s silhouette is nicely proportioned and the car’s 19-inch wheels carry a distinctive design, which help set it apart from the other vehicles in the stream of everyday traffic. The overall design is restrained but powerful. 

Interior

One of the most striking things about the 2022 Kia Stinger is its uncluttered dashboard with simple but elegant design cues. The interior design makes the cars technology quite accessible but at the same time does not overwhelm the driver or the front-seat passenger with varied displays that are meant to control the on-board technology. 

Simple is better and that is carried over into the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and the car’s head-up display, which delivers plenty of information simply and effectively. The interior is finished in a first-rate blend of materials, giving the cabin a polished, sophisticated look, one might find in first-rate hotel. The other features, such as the heating element, react quickly, which is mightily appreciated on cold winter night in Michigan. The sound system also is first rate and visibility from the driver’s seat is excellent. 

Powertrain

The 2022 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD is powered by 3.3-liter V-6 engine with direct injection, which is matched up an 8-speed automatic transmission. It also comes with all-wheel drive with torque vectoring and five different drive modes, including eco, smart, comfort, sport and custom. 

According to the EPA, the car has a combined fuel-economy rating of 20 miles per gallon and will get 17 mpg in city driving and 24 mpg on the highway. It also has an electronically variable exhaust valve to control the Stinger’s exhaust note. The powertrain produces 368 horsepower giving the car an impressive power-to-weight ratio. 

Safety and Technology

It comes equipped with a slew of airbags aimed at keeping the driver and front-seat passenger safe at all angles. It is also equipped with blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, forward collision avoidance assistant, lane-keeping assistance and lane departure warning as well as smart cruise control. It also has a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the center console, surround view camera, satellite radio, Bluetooth, UVO connectivity link, wireless charger, Android Auto and Apple Car Play. It also has a head-up display for the windshield, heated seats, and smart power trunk. 

Driving Impressions

The 2022 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD has more than enough power and impressive driving dynamics. The car’s steering is quite accurate, and it is equipped with four-wheel disc brakes. I drove the car during a snow event around Detroit and found the all-wheel-drive system helped the car’s footing even on the slickest surfaces. 

The overall driving dynamics are given a boost by electronic suspension. The combination of power, performance aid by well-timed shifts from the eight-speed transmission and the car’s dynamic feel for the road made it a fun to drive even on slick streets. 

2022 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD specifications

Wrap Up  

Versatility is one of the elements motorists are looking for a new vehicle, but versatility can be defined a variety of ways when you get right down to it. The Stinger is quite capable of moving from one place to another either during a regular commute or for errands on the weekend. 

If you think your vehicle should be more fun to drive than basic transportation then the Stinger should be considered versatile — plus, it looks good. But I was astonished at the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price topped $54,000, which is lot of money to pay even for a premium sedan. 

2022 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD ­— Frequently Asked Questions