2019 Kia Stinger Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Despite only being on the market for a couple of years, the Kia Stinger is already being touted as one of today’s most rewarding sports sedans. Driving enthusiasts praise the Stinger for its athletic handling and strong acceleration. Meanwhile, a hatchback design makes the Stinger even more practical. Of course, you can expect everyone on the road to pay attention to the sedan’s seductive exterior styling.

An impressive amount of standard equipment and generous warranty coverage help make the new Stinger a better value than its European counterparts. Kia covers the powertrain for 10 years/100,000 miles. When hitting the lot to check out the new 2019 Kia Stinger, you’ll have a total of five trims to choose from. Let’s find out what separates one trim from the next.

Compare the 2019 Kia Stinger Base vs Premium Trims. What is the difference?

Priced at slightly less than $33,000, the base Kia Stinger is considered to be a spectacular bargain. It rewards you with a fun and efficient performance. Powering the base Stinger is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which punches out 255 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic transmission handles the duty of shifting the available power to the wheels.

Kia‘s Drive Mode Select system allows you to choose from five different driving modes, which adjust the steering feel and engine responsiveness. Meanwhile, Idle Stop and Go technology helps conserve fuel in the city. While the standard RWD setup will satisfy most buyers, an AWD system is available for the folks who must contend with wintry weather.

This is a very eye-catching base model. Dual chrome exhaust tips and LED running lights come standard. You’ll also appreciate the sedan’s nice-looking set of 18-inch alloy wheels. The LED turn signal indicators on the mirrors are a classy touch. Kia offers the base Stinger in three exterior colors: Silky Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, and Snow White Pearl.

Unlike many of its competitors, the base Kia Stinger boasts a leather-lined interior. This is a big plus for the drivers who’re looking to get the most luxury for their money. You’ll also enjoy the heated and power-adjustable front seats with four-way lumbar. Multi-color ambient lighting helps create a livelier mood. Creature comforts, like dual-zone automatic climate control and 60/40-split folding rear seats, also come standard on the base Stinger. Automatic wipers are optional.

Highlighting the base Stinger’s list of in-vehicle technology is a 7.0-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A six-speaker stereo system with satellite radio seeks to make your drive more entertaining. Some of the other standard equipment includes three USB ports, keyless ignition, and Bluetooth wireless technology.

Fortunately, there are some helpful safety technologies on the base Stinger. While the rearview camera with dynamic guidelines helps prevent you from backing into unseen obstacles, blind-spot monitoring gives you more security on the highway. Nighttime driving is made safer with the base Stinger’s auto-dimming rearview mirror. Driver attention warning and parking sensors also give you an extra peace of mind.

The more luxurious Stinger Premium comes equipped with the same performance features. However, its even better equipped than the base Stinger. Music lovers will be delighted by the more powerful Harman Kardon audio system, which surrounds the cabin with 15 premium speakers. Kia also equips the Stinger Premium with a larger 8.0-inch infotainment screen.

If you plan to share your new Stinger with another person, you’ll greatly appreciate the power-adjustable steering wheel and driver-seat memory settings. Other niceties found inside the Stinger Premium include a sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, ventilated front seats, and a larger driver information display.

Some important driver-assist safety technologies come equipped on the Stinger Premium. In the event you momentarily become distracted while at the wheel, the automatic emergency braking system can take control. Driver attention alert makes sure you don’t doze off while at the wheel. Lane-keep assist, intelligent cruise control, and automatic high beams are also found on the Stinger Premium.

In order to spot the visual differences between the base Stinger and the Stinger Premium, you’ll have to look hard. Nonetheless, LED rear turn signals and LED headlamps do come equipped on the Stinger Premium. Micro Blue Pearl gives you another exterior color to choose from.

Compare the 2019 Stinger Premium vs GT Trims. What is the difference?

The Stinger GT is another step up the performance ladder. Fortunately, this exhilarating model is only around $100 more expensive than the less powerful Stinger Premium. It’s motivated by a twin-turbo V6 engine, which excites drivers by producing 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. While fuel economy is lowered with the more powerful engine, you can look forward to experiencing stronger acceleration. Kia equips the GT trim with the same eight-speed automatic gearbox.

To help eliminate wheel spin when accelerating from a standstill, launch control technology is added to the GT trim. Meanwhile, handling is bolstered by adaptive suspension dampers and variable-ratio steering. Upgraded Michelin Pilot Sport tires give the Stinger GT more grip on the street. High-performance Brembo brakes help you to contain the extra power. All-wheel drive remains an option on the Stinger GT.

In comparison to the Premium trim, the GT trim looks a bit more aggressive. It flaunts unique bumpers and a larger set of 19-inch alloy wheels. Red brake calipers also give the GT trim a racier look. Kia offers the Stinger GT in five colors, including HiChroma Red and Ceramic Silver.

On the inside, the Stinger GT seeks to inspire drivers with its performance features. Sport gauges and a flat-bottom steering wheel come standard. Alloy pedals add more excitement to the interior. While the Stinger GT is nice on the inside, it goes without some of the Stinger Premium’s luxury features. Replacing the Stinger Premium’s top-of-the-line Harman Kardon audio system is a nine-speaker sound system. While blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert comes equipped on the Stinger GT, you will not get driver-assist technologies like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist.

Compare the Stinger GT vs GT1 Trims. What is the difference?

The same engine and performance upgrades are found on the Stinger GT1. However, it comes loaded with more niceties. You’ll enjoy ventilated front seats and the exciting Harman Kardon sound system. Drivers will also benefit from Kia’s advanced safety package, which is not offered on the lower GT trim. Upgraded performance gauges add to the Stinger GT1’s fun factor. They provide digital readouts for important performance data such as turbo boost pressure, g-force, and oil temperature. Exterior styling is virtually the same.

Compare the Stinger GT1 vs GT2 Trims. What is the difference?

Atop the Stinger range sits the GT2 trim. It boasts exclusive features not offered on the lower trims. A hands-free smart trunk makes cargo loading especially easy. Nappa leather upholstery gives the Stinger GT2 an even more luxurious character. Meanwhile, passengers sitting in the back will be comforted by the heated rear seats. A head-up driving display and a 360-degree parking camera enhance safety.

Final Thoughts

The base 2019 Kia Stinger brings a lot of goodness to the table. There aren’t many sports sedans that can match its available equipment for less than $30,000. You’ll definitely enjoy the base Stinger's soothing performance and powerful styling. Although an advanced safety package is not offered on the base Stinger, standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert provides an extra measure of protection.

Upgrading to the Stinger Premium will cause you to spend an extra $6,900. However, you will benefit from luxurious features like ventilated from seats and a 720-watt Harmon Kardon premium sound system. Furthermore, an advanced safety technology package is found on the Stinger Premium.

If you care more about performance opposed to an enhanced level of luxury, don’t hesitate to choose the powerful GT trim. Its MSRP is very similar to that of the Stinger Premium. You’ll love the twin-turbo V6 engine and the various performance goodies. Appearance upgrades also help make the Stinger GT an appealing choice. Remember, Kia’s advanced safety package is not available on this trim.

Buyers seeking performance and luxury should go for either the Stinger GT1 or the Stinger GT2. When compared to the competition, the range-topping Stinger GT2 is a legitimate bargain. However, its MSRP of $50,200 still may be too expensive for your budget. GT1 models start at a more attractive $45,300.

2019 Kia Stinger Key Features

There are two different engines available for the 2019 Kia Stinger. While the base turbocharged four-cylinder engine is less potent, it’s strong enough to ensure a brisk 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds. Fuel economy tops out at 29 mpg on the highway. With a total output of 365 horsepower, the twin-turbo V6 engine offers pure excitement. GT models can hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. However, efficiency drops to 17 mpg in town and 25 mpg on the highway.

Three different stereo systems are offered. While the standard audio system may not deliver the most exciting music-listening experience, it does benefit from satellite radio. Expect the nine-speaker system to sound more inspiring. However, car critics give the 15-speaker Harman Kardon sound system excellent reviews. Even when pumping up the volume to the max, the speakers don’t rattle or distort. Dual subwoofers produce deep, impactful bass.

Kia equips the upper trims with a larger 8.0-inch touch screen. However, the standard 7.0-inch touch screen is not a letdown. It’s fast, simple to operate,, and easily readable. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone support and a USB port for data come standard.