Compare the2021 Lexus ES SeriesVS 2021 Kia Stinger

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus ES 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 Lexus ES Series has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Stinger doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The ES Series has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Stinger doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ES Series offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Stinger doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the ES 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 blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lexus ES Series is safer than the Kia Stinger:

	ES Series	Stinger
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	120	161
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	62 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.8 inches	.9 inches
Neck Injury Risk	33%	36.6%
Neck Stress	159 lbs.	173 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus ES Series is safer than the Kia Stinger:

	ES Series	Stinger
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	85	119
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	160 G’s	197 G’s
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	62 G’s
Hip Force	541 lbs.	571 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Hip Force	570 lbs.	752 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ES Series its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 52 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Stinger is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2021.

Warranty

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

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the ES Series’ reliability 19 points higher than the Stinger.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked third.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in reliability. Kia is ranked 15th.

Engine

As tested in Consumer Reports the ES 350 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the Stinger GT-Line 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

	ES Series	Stinger
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	7.5 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.2 sec	4.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	93 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the ES 300h CVT gets better fuel mileage than the Stinger GT-Line RWD (43 city/44 hwy vs. 22 city/29 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the ES 350 FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Stinger GT-Line RWD (22 city/32 hwy vs. 22 city/29 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the ES Series Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Stinger doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus ES Series uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Stinger requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus ES Series higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Kia Stinger (3). This means the ES Series produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Stinger every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The ES 300h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Stinger doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The ES 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 ES Series stops shorter than the Stinger:

	ES Series	Stinger
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the ES Series’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Stinger (235/45R18 vs. 225/40R19).

Chassis

The ES Series F Sport uses 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.

Passenger Space

The ES Series has 6.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Stinger (99.9 vs. 93.8).

The ES Series has .8 inches more rear headroom and 2.8 inches more rear legroom than the Stinger.

Cargo Capacity

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

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 56% lower rating, Kia is ranked 20th.

Ergonomics

The ES Series’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Stinger’s parking brake has to released manually.

The ES 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 ES 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. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) 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 ES Series and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Series Ultra Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Stinger doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the ES Series owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the ES Series will cost $800 less than the Stinger over a five-year period.

The ES Series will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the ES Series will retain 45.88% to 46.4% of its original price after five years, while the Stinger only retains 39.25% to 40.44%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus ES Series will be $915 to $19002 less than for the Kia Stinger.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus ES Series and the Kia Stinger, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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