Compare the2022 Kia StingerVS 2021 Toyota Camry

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Stinger has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Camry’s blind spot costs extra.

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 Camry.

The Stinger’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Camry doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Stinger and the Camry have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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

	Stinger	Camry
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	18.3%	20%
Neck Stress	137 lbs.	262 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	97/355 lbs.	432/527 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 Kia Stinger is safer than the Toyota Camry:

	Stinger	Camry
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	119	134
Hip Force	252 lbs.	296 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	263	289
Hip Force	571 lbs.	752 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Stinger is 1.2% less likely to roll over than the Camry.

Warranty

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 Camry’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Stinger 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Camry. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Camry ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Reliability

The battery on the Stinger is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Stinger’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Camry’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Stinger third among compact premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Camry isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 19th, 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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fourth.

Engine

The Stinger has more powerful engines than the Camry:

	Horsepower	Torque
Stinger GT-Line 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	300 HP	311 lbs.-ft.
Stinger GT1/GT2 3.3 turbo V6	368 HP	376 lbs.-ft.
Camry AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	202 HP	182 lbs.-ft.
Camry 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	203 HP	184 lbs.-ft.
Camry XSE AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	205 HP	185 lbs.-ft.
Camry XSE 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	206 HP	186 lbs.-ft.
Camry 3.5 DOHC V6	301 HP	267 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the Stinger GT1/GT2 3.3 turbo V6 is faster than the Toyota Camry 4 cyl.:

	Stinger	Camry
Zero to 30 MPH	1.8 sec	2.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	4.4 sec	7.9 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	6.9 sec	13.2 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	10.6 sec	20.5 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5 sec	8.2 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.5 sec	4.3 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.2 sec	6 sec
Quarter Mile	12.9 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	111 MPH	90 MPH
Top Speed	167 MPH	133 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Stinger’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The Camry doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Stinger has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Camry AWD’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 14.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Stinger GT1/GT2’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s at 2250 in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Camry doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Stinger’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Camry:

	Stinger GT-Line	Stinger GT1/GT2	Camry	Camry TRD
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	13.8 inches	12 inches	12.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.4 inches	11.06 inches	11.06 inches

The Stinger GT1/GT2’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Camry are solid, not vented.

The Stinger stops much shorter than the Camry:

	Stinger	Camry
70 to 0 MPH	156 feet	175 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Stinger has larger standard tires than the Camry (225/45R18 vs. 215/55R17).

The Stinger GT-Line’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Camry LE’s standard 55 series tires. The Stinger GT1/GT2’s 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Camry XSE/TRD’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Stinger GT-Line has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Camry LE.

Suspension and Handling

The Stinger offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Camry’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Stinger has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Camry doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Stinger’s wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer than on the Camry (114.4 inches vs. 111.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Stinger is .4 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Camry.

The Stinger’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.9% to 48.1%) than the Camry’s (59.5% to 40.5%). This gives the Stinger more stable handling and braking.

The Stinger GT2 handles at .91 G’s, while the Camry XLE pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Stinger executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the Camry XLE (24.8 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Stinger’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Camry L/LE’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Stinger is quieter than the Camry LE (37 vs. 38 dB).

Passenger Space

The Stinger has .5 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more front hip room and 1.4 inches more rear hip room than the Camry.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Stinger’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. The Camry’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The Stinger’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Camry TRD doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Stinger GT2’s power trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Stinger’s power trunk can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Camry doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Stinger is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Camry. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The Stinger has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Camry doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Stinger GT2, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The Camry doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Stinger GT2’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Camry doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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

The Stinger’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Camry’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Stinger GT2 has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Camry doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Stinger’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Toyota charges extra for heated mirrors on the Camry.

When the Stinger GT2 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Camry’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Stinger’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Camry offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Stinger has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Camry, and aren’t available on the Camry Nightshade/TRD. 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 Camry.

The Stinger has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Camry TRD doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Stinger has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Camry and isn’t available on the Camry Nightshade.

Both the Stinger and the Camry offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Stinger has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Camry doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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 Camry and isn’t available on the Camry Nightshade/TRD.