2022 Genesis G70 vs. 2022 Kia Stinger comparison highlights:
It’s still relatively new to the luxury scene, but Genesis has quickly become a dominant player. However, its G70 sports sedan doesn’t just have to deal with rivals from ‘historic’ luxury brands. It also has a competitor within the Hyundai-Kia family, one that uses the same platform: the Kia Stinger. And both received some touch-ups this year. So, if you want a stylish sports sedan, should you get the 2022 Genesis G70 or the Stinger?
Sadly, for enthusiasts, the 2022 Genesis G70 no longer offers a manual option. Also, the 2021 model’s engines carry over for this year. However, this isn’t exactly the same entry-level luxury sports sedan it was last year.
For 2022, Genesis restyled the G70 to look more like the G80 and refreshed the already-stylish interior. In addition to the updated looks, all 2022 G70s have standard 10.3” touchscreens with navigation as well as digital gauge clusters. Furthermore, the Sport Advanced and Prestige trims have a variable exhaust that adds power and a sporty crackle. Also, the sedan now has an extra Sport+ driving mode.
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This might be the last year we see the Kia Stinger in its current form if the EV rumors are true. But considering Kia just refreshed it, if this sports sedan’s going out, it’s going out kicking and sliding.
Like the G70, the 2022 Kia Stinger has refreshed exterior and interior styling as well as a newly-standard 10.3” touchscreen. However, Kia’s sports sedan also gets a more powerful base engine and a slight bump to its V6’s output. In addition, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking are now standard on all Stingers. Finally, it has new LED lighting and wheels.
Both the Genesis G70 and Kia Stinger are bringing some limited-edition trims for 2022. In the G70’s case, it has the 3.3T Launch Edition with red leather and exclusive matte exterior colors. As for the Stinger, it has the Scorpion Performance Edition, which comes with blacked-out exterior trim, exhaust tips, and wheels as well as carbon-fiber interior trim. However, since they’re limited-edition trims, we won’t be considering them in this comparison.
In addition to refreshing the G70’s styling for 2022, Genesis also shook up its trims. Now, the 3.3T gets the Sport trim and it’s split into the range-topping Sport Advanced and Sport Prestige. Both come with a sunroof, Lexicon 15-speaker audio system, sportier suspension, 19” wheels, wireless charging, front and rear parking sensors, and that sports exhaust. The Sport Prestige, though, adds a limited-slip differential, heated steering wheel, heads-up display, surround-view camera, Brembo brakes, and adaptive shocks.
For 2022 Genesis G70 shoppers, the 3.3T Standard is still a solid choice, MT notes. Like the Sport trims, it has sportier suspension, upgraded brakes, leather, power-folding mirrors, and rain-sensing wipers. In addition, AWD models have heated steering wheels. But Car and Driver recommends going all-in with the Sport Prestige, which costs $50,500 with RWD and $52,400 with AWD. At that point, the G70 costs less than a 2022 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD, which has near-identical equipment.
Speaking of the Kia, a base 2022 Stinger GT-Line AWD costs slightly less than a base G70 2.0T AWD. Yet while it shares some standard features, the Stinger one-ups the G70 in other areas. For example, both sedans have standard heated front seats, but the Stinger GT-Line’s wireless charging is standard on the G70 2.0T Prestige, not the Standard.
However, once you start adding luxuries, the G70 moves ahead in the value game. Even the base G70 has an 8” digital gauge cluster, but that’s a Stinger GT2-only feature, for example. A power-tilt-and-telescopic steering column and ventilated seats are GT-only, too, but they’re standard on the cheaper G70 3.3T Standard.
So, if you stick to the basics, the 2022 Kia Stinger is a slightly better deal. But if you want a few luxuries, the 2022 Genesis G70 has the edge.
2022 Genesis G70 vs. 2022 Kia Stinger: Safety features
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When it comes to safety, the 2022 Genesis G70 and 2022 Kia Stinger are dead even. Both earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards, though the G70’s headlights place it ever so slightly behind.
Regardless, both sports sedans offer a plethora of standard advanced driver-assistance safety features, including:
These sports sedan siblings swerve similarly, but they’re not identical driving twins
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Since the 2022 Genesis G70 and 2022 Kia Stinger share a platform and powertrains, they drive and handle rather similarly. In short, both are excellent sports sedans, with communicative steering, nimble chassis, and taut suspension. Plus, when they’re packing V6s, visceral exhaust notes. And whether you get your version with RWD or AWD, you’ll have a lot of fun on curving roads and commuting into the city.
When you are commuting, though, the G70 feels more refined than the Stinger. Thanks to standard acoustic glass, it’s quieter inside. Admittedly, the Kia is roomier, but then, it’s a midsize sedan, while the G70 is technically a compact one. Furthermore, the Genesis sedan’s interior fit, finish, and material quality feels a step above what Kia offers, MT and Car and Driver report. The Stinger’s interior isn’t bad per se, but it has more cheap-feeling bits.
Additionally, while both sports sedans are generally composed around bends and on straights, the Kia Stinger has a stiffer ride. It’s also more unsettled when going over larger bumps and during “all-out acceleration and braking runs,” Car and Driver says. No, not every driver is going to track their Stinger. But at the limit, the 2022 Genesis G70 is a bit more composed.
Which sports sedan should you buy?
Picking between the 2022 Genesis G70 and 2022 Kia Stinger hinges on what you want out of your sports sedan. If you want a simple, inexpensive RWD experience, the Stinger will likely be more your speed. And the four-cylinder model is faster than the four-cylinder Genesis. But if you want something more BMW-esque and are willing to pay a little extra, get the G70. In this case, the luxury matches the upcharge.
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