No shortage of sedans earned a Top Safety Pick rating or other safety accolades from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it’s rare for a sports sedan to boast performance and award-winning safety credentials. Enter the 2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line and GT2, the latest installments in the marque’s first dedicated sports sedan before the 2023 model year. However, the Stinger is not just fast; it is literally a safe alternative to other sports sedans on the market. 

How safe is the Stinger among sports sedans?

The 2022 Kia Stinger has a bragging point over other safe sports sedans. Kia’s four-door performance car earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. While it’s certainly not the only comfortable sedan with performance credentials, it’s the only budget-friendly sports sedan that IIHS awarded. The agency classifies the Stinger as a “large car” rather than a “large luxury car,” like many of the Stinger’s more posh and expensive competitors. 

Classifications aside, the 2022 Kia Stinger managed to earn “Good” ratings in every crashworthiness category. Save for a blemish on the GT2 trim’s headlight evaluation and a couple of other minor issues, the Stinger scored a near-perfect safety sheet. Not too bad for a four-door liftback with serious fun potential. 

Is a Kia Stinger faster than a Ford Mustang?

The entry-level Kia Stinger GT-Line is no slouch, but it’s not quite quick enough to contend with a Ford Mustang EcoBoost. MotorTrend managed to coax the 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder GT-Line sports sedan to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. While that’s quick for a large car, it’s not swift enough to outgun the EcoBoost’s 5.1-second run. Also, the 368-horsepower GT2 is on nearly even ground with the Mustang GT, but not with a Mustang GT equipped with a Performance Pack. 

Specifically, Car and Driver blasted a 2022 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. However, a Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds under favorable conditions. Still, a more appropriate comparison would be an Audi A6, which is more expensive and slower to 60 mph (4.8 seconds), although the Audi is also a Top Safety Pick+.

Is the 2022 Kia Stinger worth it?

In terms of being performance bargains, the Kia Stinger and Ford Mustang GT are two peas in a pod. The 2022 Kia Stinger is just one of the latest Stingers to offer a bonafide performance bargain alternative to the luxury sports sedans from marques like BMW and Audi. Since the Stinger starts at around $37,435, it’s a solid and sporty option. However, the severe performer of the family is the GT2, which starts at about $52,635. 

Should you consider a Stinger over other sports sedans?

If you want an affordable sports sedan with a practical liftback and a great warranty, the Kia Stinger GT-Line warrants your consideration. However, the faster, more serious GT2 demands a premium in comparison, putting it in striking distance of more prestigious and luxurious competitors. Still, the GT2 is safe, fast, and different in a sedan landscape of bloated-price luxury cars. Better yet, with a Top Safety Pick+, the 2022 Kia Stinger is a safe choice. 

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