2022 Kia Stinger GT1 vs GT2

Mar 12, 2021

For 2022 it looks like the main difference (other than cost) between the GT1 and GT2 is Adaptive Suspension and Shift-By-Wire. Ceramic Silver (which I'm ordering) was previously only available in the GT2 is available now in both models. Is is worth the extra money for Adaptive Suspension and Shift-By-Wire? I believe the AS only helps in cornering not ride quality in comfort mode.

If you have roads with potholes near you, definitely worth it. Prior to this car, I had a Gen 7 Golf R without the VW adaptive suspension, and dropped from the stock 19” wheels to 18” after a week of driving to work through the pothole ridden Clara Barton Parkway (Suburban Maryland to Washington DC). Even with the 18s, each pothole in comfort mode on the R still felt really loud and harsh and my wheels got damaged including needing two rim replacements and tire blowouts in 1 year.

With the Stinger GT2 with 19” wheels, in comfort mode, that adaptive suspension makes those same potholes a non issue. I went from using Waze and being on the lookout all the time to slow down ahead of each pothole, to not even having to think about it. Obviously these are different cars, but I honestly believe it’s well worth it. When I go into sports mode or custom but with sports suspension, the adaptive suspension makes this into a sportier and faster feeling car than that same Golf R on a smooth road.

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Mar 12, 2021

I have shift by wire and adaptive suspension on my G70 no one's going to consider shift by wire an upgrade it's not. The adaptive suspension is a plus but if you hold on to your vehicles like I do I never get rid of them. It is going to cost more money down the road to replace those shocks.

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Compare the 2022 Kia Stinger Trims - GT-Line vs GT1 and GT2. What is the difference between them?

The Kia Stinger is an athletic sports sedan. It actually has more space than one might think, making it a pretty practical choice for many customers. When factoring in its size with its affordability, performance capabilities, technology, and amenities, it makes total sense that the Kia Stinger has found success in the market.

This car has been in the market for a handful of years. Over this time, it's been given several upgrades. The 2022 version has new wheel designs and enhanced exterior lighting, and its available technology is quite impressive.

Kia makes three trims of this sporty vehicle. The lineup starts with the GT-Line. The GT1 is the middle trim, and the GT2 offers much more than the others. Keep in mind that there are considerable price jumps when moving from one trim to the next. This may make it a bit harder to figure out which trim would be most ideal. This guide will explain what makes each trim distinct.

Before going into the details, it may be helpful to quickly mention some of the dimensions of the Kia Stinger. It has a cargo volume of 23.3 cubic feet, which is very generous. Second-row leg room is over 36 inches, so adults can comfortably ride in the back. All trims have 60/40 split-folding rear seats that can be adjusted depending on whether more cargo room is needed.

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Compare the GT-Line vs GT1 Trims. What is the difference?

These first two trims use different engines, though both have turbochargers. The GT-Line is powered by a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder with a turbocharger. The GT1 uses a twin-turbocharged V6 that has a displacement of 3.3 liters.

This is a pretty big difference in size and design. However, either engine provides a very satisfying ride. The turbo 2.5-liter can make 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and the twin-turbo V6 can deliver 368 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. These numbers are hard to find in other sedans, so there's no way in which the average driver would be disappointed with the performance of either engine.

The GT1 has a few components that allow it perform at a high level. They include a valved exhaust system, an electronically controlled suspension, and a limited-slip differential (if it has been equipped with rear-wheel drive). The electronically controlled suspension uses five sensors that monitor various motions related to the wheel and vehicle, and instant adjustments are made as necessary. Plus, the GT1 has four-piston Brembo brakes in the front and two-piston Brembo brakes in the back, along with red calipers that enhance the style of the car. Both trims have high-performance dampers and multi-link rear suspension.

The two trims have eight-speed automatic transmissions. They come with paddle shifters to give the driver the opportunity to control shifting. With Drive Mode Select, which is standard, there are five modes to choose from. Eco mode can conserve gas, Sport mode would enhance the aggressive nature of the car, and Comfort would make for a smooth ride. Then, the Smart mode can make adjustments as the car changes from city to highway driving, for instance, and Custom mode allows drivers to have some more say in how their Stingers perform.

All-wheel drive is available on the Kia Stinger. The GT-Line has all-wheel drive with an electronically-controlled transfer case. The GT1 has something similar, but its all-wheel drive system also has dynamic torque vectoring control.

As a result of all of these differences, the GT1 isn't able to be as efficient as the GT-Line is. The GT-Line with rear-wheel drive can earn 22 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway. The GT1 can achieve 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. With all-wheel drive, those numbers drop by a marginal amount.

To go along with its greater capability, the GT1 has some extra stylistic elements. It has an aluminum accent trim in its cabin and aluminum-look door sill scuff plates. It also has LED interior lighting and multi-color LED accent lighting. The color can be customized depending on the driver's preferences, and these lights would give a soft glow to the passenger-side dash and front door pockets. Finally, the GT1 has 19-inch spire alloy wheels in contrast to the GT-Line's 18-inch vertex alloy wheels.

Another thing that the GT1 has is a wide sunroof. It can be opened up to let in sunshine and fresh air. Since it has a power sunshade, it's easy to keep things closed when the sun is shining a bit too brightly.

Now, the GT-Line still has an edgy, modern style. It comes with a flat-bottomed sport steering wheel and high gloss black accent trim. The aluminum appearance pedals shine and provide a little traction for the driver. On its exterior, it has dual chrome exhaust tips and LEDs in its headlights, Daytime Running Lights, taillights, and rear turn signals. Black is found in many places, including in the front grille, hood trim, side vents, and side mirrors. All of these features are found in the GT1 as well.

It's great that the Kia Stinger has so many standard amenities. Its side mirrors are power-folding and have heating elements and turn signals built into them. The headlights are automatic, as are the high beams, and the windshield wipers can turn themselves on if rain is detected.

The Smart Welcome is a nice feature. When the car senses that the key fob is approaching (presumably with the driver), it will illuminate its door pocket light. The driver can then touch the door handle, without pushing a button on the key, to unlock the door. The key can stay secured throughout the remainder of the trip since the Stinger has push-button start.

A few other elements that can be appreciated are an automatic-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic temperature control, and numerous storage compartments. There are seatback pockets, a rear center armrest that has cup holders, and an overhead storage compartment for sunglasses. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are standard, too.

A quick note needs to be said about the technology and safety packages on these trims. They're identical to each other, so these aren't areas that have to be looked at closely when figuring out which trim to get. They are very comprehensive, as the Stinger comes standard with driver-assist systems, smart cruise control, 10.25-inch touchscreens, navigation, multiple USB 2.1 charging ports, and wireless charging.

Compare the GT1 vs GT2 Trim Levels. What is the difference?

Like the GT1, the GT2 has a twin-turbo V6 engine. It's fast and responsive and a lot of fun to drive. One thing that drivers of the GT2 get to use is a shift-by-wire gear selector. It allows for quick transitions and is something that's seen in many high-performance vehicles. The trim's sport gauges can elevate the entire driving experience.

The GT2 has the same safety components as the GT1 has, with one exception. Instead of just having blind-spot collision-avoidance assist like the lower trims have, it gets to have a blind-spot view monitor. With the monitor, the driver would be able to see a live video feed of what's in the Stinger's blind spot. The video would be displayed in the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, and it would get its information from the camera mounted on the mirror.

In addition to having the smart key entry system, it has a smart power trunk. When someone stands behind this kind of trunk with the key fob, the trunk will automatically open.

The GT2 has higher-quality headlights as well. It has bi-function projector beam LED headlights instead of the standard single-lens LED headlights that the others have. Its other unique lighting element is low beam assist. With this feature, the headlights can change their direction depending on the steering angle and vehicle speed.

More significant differences can be found in the cabin. It takes care of passengers and keeps them comfortable with heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats. Like the others in the lineup, it can be upgraded with a heated steering wheel.

The driver's seat in the GT2 is more advanced than the one found in the first two trims. It can be power-adjusted in 16 ways, and it has four-way power air-cell lumbar adjustment. It even has two-way side bolsters and cushioned thigh extension. In contrast, the the GT1 has a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with the lumbar support but not the bolsters or thigh extension.

Then, there's a memory system in the GT2 that can be programmed to remember two settings. This memory system works for the side mirrors and the steering column, which is power-adjustable.

The front passenger seat in the GT2 is pretty advanced. It comes with four-way power lumbar support and can be power-adjusted in 12 ways. The GT1 has a power-adjustable front-passenger seat, too, but its lumbar support is a two-way system.

Some people will prefer the Nappa leather upholstery of the GT2 to the standard leather seats in the GT1. Nappa leather is of a more premium quality than regular leather, so it looks and feels very sophisticated.

On top of all of this, the GT2's technology package is more comprehensive than what's found in the others. Its 720-watt audio system features 15 speakers and Harman Kardon QuantumLogic components. It offers a surround view monitor so that drivers can see in all directions, and its parking distance warning system works for both the front and back. In comparison, the other Stingers only have rear parking distance warning. It's certainly effective but not as useful as what the GT2 has.

A head-up display and a seven-inch LCD display on the GT2 provide the driver with plenty of information. The screen is a color version that can keep people updated on how their Stingers are doing. The head-up display can unobtrusively remind drivers of the speed limit, upcoming turns, safety concerns, and more.

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Which Trim to Choose?

It's true that the GT2 brings the level of the Kia Stinger up a notch. It has several coveted features, like a head-up display, a premium sound system, and a smart trunk. Its seats are similar to those one might find on a high-end luxury car. However, it has a cost that might be prohibitive.

That's why the GT1 comes out ahead. It's powered by the same twin-turbocharged engine as the GT2 is. It provides an amazing amount of power for being a reasonably priced car. People looking at the Stinger will likely be interested in pushing the limits when it comes to performance, and the twin-turbo V6 will let them do just that.

The GT1 has plenty of other attractive features. Its technology system has much to offer, as does its safety package. Its leather seats will be appreciated by those with refined tastes, and the fact that it has a sunroof, interior LED lighting, and aluminum accents in its cabin will really work in its favor.

If anyone is on a budget, the GT-Line will do just fine, with its leather seats, large touchscreen, and LED lights. However, it doesn't have the same punch that the GT1 provides.

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