Kia’s refreshed Stinger is finally coming to the United States for the 2022 model year with several key updates and a simplified set of trim levels. The facelift for the Stinger was unveiled in Korea last year and is already on sale in many other markets. The refreshed lineup sees a big performance increase for the base model of the Stinger range, the GT Line, and while the GT1 and GT2 remain, the base Stinger GT has been retired.
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The 2022 Stinger GT Line now features a 2.5 liter turbocharged four cylinder engine making 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft torque. This is the same motor we find in the Kia K5 GT and Sorento, the Hyundai Sonata N Line and Santa Fe, and the Genesis G80 and GV80. The new engine is a staggering 45 horsepower and 51 lb-ft torque higher than the outgoing 2.0L engine in the prior Stinger GT Line. It’s also $3,000 more expensive, at $37,135 for RWD examples and $39,335 if you need AWD. Note that all prices include $1,045 destination fee.
In addition to the added power, the GT Line now comes standard with a 10.25” high-res touchscreen with navigation, smart cruise control, and advanced safety features. It also receives new reflector-style LED headlights standard, which also feature signature quad LED daytime running lights. The “Sun & Sound” package continues to be available for the 2022 Stinger GT Line, adding the power wide-style sunroof and high-end Harman Kardon audio system for an additional $2,300 ($39,435 for RWD, $41,635 for AWD).
The 2022 Stinger GT has ditched the base GT model and includes only GT1 and GT2 variants. For both the GT1 and GT2, power from the carryover 3.3 liter twin turbo V6 goes up from 365 to 368 while torque remains unchanged. However, there’s now an electronic variable exhaust which provides a more becoming, aggressive exhaust note in Sport mode. Matching the improved exhaust note are larger quad exhaust tips in an exaggerated rear diffuser on the lower bumper. And all 2022 Stinger models receive the updated rear taillights with an illuminated center light bar.
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The Stinger GT1 is the cheapest way to get that 3.3TT, and is priced $1,800 lower than the 2021 GT1, at $44,735 for RWD models and $46,935 for AWD. However, note that this comes in at $4,100 more expensive than the now-dead base GT. As the lower price would imply, the GT1 loses some features the current trim level enjoys, such as the upgraded sound system, electronically controlled suspension, ventilated front seats, and memory driver’s seats. These are all now GT2-exclusive features. Speaking of the GT2, prices have increased by $900 to $52,335 for a Stinger GT2 RWD, or $54,535 for a top-of-the-line AWD model.
Other updates across the Stinger range include new 18” and 19” wheel styles, remote start built into the key fob, additional interior ambient lighting on the upper dashboard, new leather and nappa leather quilting designs on the seats, and additional stitched panels on the dash and insides of the doors. There’s also a new suite of safety features, including a blind spot camera display in the gauge cluster that activates when using your turn signal, junction turning collision avoidance, lane following assist (as opposed to the less precise lane keeping assist), safe exit assist, highway driving assist, navigation-based cruise control curve assist, and rear occupant alert.
While we don’t know exactly when the refreshed Stinger will arrive on US dealer lots, communications to dealers imply that the new model will appear on Kia’s internal sales-focused website within the next week. Deliveries are likely to begin not long after that.
