Compare the2019 Lexus IS SeriesVS 2019 Kia Stinger

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus IS Series have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Stinger doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The IS Series’ optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Stinger doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the IS Series and the Stinger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the IS Series the rating of “Top Pick” for 2018, a rating granted to only 85 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Stinger has not been tested, yet.

The IS Series’ corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Stinger’s (6/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked fifth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in reliability. Kia is ranked third.

As tested in Motor Trend the IS 350 is faster than the Stinger 2.0L:

On the EPA test cycle the IS Series gets better fuel mileage than the Stinger:

The IS Series has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Stinger (17.4 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the IS Series’ standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Stinger:

The IS Series’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Stinger 2.0L are solid, not vented.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The IS Series has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Stinger doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The IS Series stops much shorter than the Stinger:

The IS Series AWD handles at .89 G’s, while the Stinger GT pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Stinger Premium (26 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 26.8 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS Series’ turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Stinger’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.7 feet). The IS Series AWD’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the Stinger AWD’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The IS Series is 5.9 inches shorter than the Stinger, making the IS Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Lexus IS Series amounts to more than styling. The IS Series has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .28 Cd. That is lower than the Stinger (.3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the IS Series get better fuel mileage.

The IS Series 300 RWD offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Stinger doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the IS 350 F Sport is quieter than the Stinger GT2:

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the IS Series offers cargo security. The Stinger’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in service department satisfaction. With a 45% lower rating, Kia is ranked 18th.

The IS Series has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Stinger doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Stinger Premium/GT1/GT2, the IS Series offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The IS Series’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Stinger’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the IS Series the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (Your Lexus service department must activate this window function.) The driver of the Stinger can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the IS Series to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Stinger doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.