Compare the2022 Kia StingerVS 2021 Mercedes AMG CLA

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Kia Stinger are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes AMG CLA doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Stinger are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Stinger’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG CLA.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Stinger has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the AMG CLA.

Both the Stinger and the AMG CLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Stinger its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 68 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG CLA has not been tested, yet.

The Stinger comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The AMG CLA’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Stinger 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the AMG CLA. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the AMG CLA ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 2 times as many Kia dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Stinger’s warranty.

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 Stinger’s reliability 11 points higher than the AMG CLA.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 25th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 5 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Stinger GT-Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 295) than the AMG CLA 35’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Stinger GT1/GT2’s standard 3.3 turbo V6 produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (376 vs. 354) than the AMG CLA 45’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Stinger gets better mileage than the AMG CLA:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Stinger uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG CLA requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Stinger has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG CLA (15.9 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Stinger stops shorter than the AMG CLA:

The Stinger has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the AMG CLA; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the AMG CLA don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Stinger’s wheelbase is 7 inches longer than on the AMG CLA (114.4 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Stinger is 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the AMG CLA.

The Stinger’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.9% to 48.1%) than the AMG CLA’s (60% to 40%). This gives the Stinger more stable handling and braking.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Stinger a Mid-size car, while the AMG CLA is rated a Compact.

The Stinger has 4.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG CLA (93.8 vs. 89).

The Stinger has .8 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 2.5 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG CLA.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Stinger GT2 has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The engine in the Stinger is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the AMG CLA. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Stinger has standard extendable sun visors. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Stinger has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the AMG CLA. The Stinger GT2 also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the AMG CLA.

On extremely cold winter days, the Stinger’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Stinger has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the AMG CLA.

The Stinger is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Stinger, based on reliability, safety and performance.