The Kia Stinger proved that the economy car marque could break into the sports sedan market and then some. With acceleration on par with an S550 Ford Mustang GT, the four-door Kia is a force among sensible sedans. If you want a fast, refined alternative to an Audi or BMW, Kia has an option for you. Still, how fast is the range-topping Kia Stinger GT2?

Is the Kia Stinger GT2 fast?

The Kia Stinger is quick, but the top-of-the-line GT2 is properly fast. In Car and Driver testing, the 2022 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD managed to sprint to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. Furthermore, the Kia sports sedan conquered its quarter-mile drag in 13.1 seconds with a trap speed of 107 mph. While that’s not up the 2023 Audi S4’s 4.2-second snap to 60 mph, it’s swift for a sedan. 

Furthermore, the GT2 returned a 0.85 g metric on Car and Driver’s road-holding skidpad test. Again, the GT2 is nimble, but it’s nowhere near as agile as the Audi S4’s 0.95 g handling data.  

Is the Kia Stinger GT2 twin-turbocharged?

The GT2 is twin-turbocharged, unlike the GT-Line car and its 300-horsepower 2.5L turbo four-cylinder engine. Instead of a smaller, fuel-sipping powerplant, the GT2 employs a twin-turbo 3.3L V6 engine. The result is an impressive 368 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque in a sedan that will accommodate five passengers. Of course, even with forced induction, the six-cylinder powerplant is much thirstier than the turbocharged-four cylinder in the GT-Line. 

The sportier, more powerful GT2 manages 18 mpg city and 25 mpg at highway speeds, whereas the GT-Line manages 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. That makes sense, given the larger displacement and higher peak horsepower rpm of the GT2’s V6. 

What is the difference between the Kia Stinger GT1 and GT2?

The GT1 trim holds a place between the entry-level GT-Line and the GT2. Both cars feature the turbocharged 3.3L V6 engine. However, U.S. News says Kia discontinued the GT1 for the 2023 model year. Still, in its last year of production, the 2022 Kia Stinger GT1 had a starting price of $44,735, around $7,500 less than a comparable 2022 GT2. 

However, for your extra money, you got a 15-speaker audio system from Harman Kardon, more driver aid technology, a power liftback hatch, and a nicer interior with Nappa leather. However, with a starting price of around $52,335, it’s a wonder why anyone would buy a GT2 over a European competitor like the Audi S4 or BMW M340i.

Is a Stinger worth buying?

The Kia Stinger GT2 is a taut, fast, capable, and sporty contender in the sports sedan segment. However, Car and Driver says that the Stinger GT2 is hopeless to compete with the Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series in terms of material quality. Furthermore, with a starting price of over $50,000, it’s a tough sell compared to more premium badges with luxury and performance pedigree. Scroll down to the following article to read more about performance-oriented sports sedans.