Compare the2022 Kia StingerVS 2021 Volvo S60

The Kia Stinger has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The S60 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Stinger and the S60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, 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 Volvo S60:

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 Volvo S60:

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 S60.

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 S60’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 Volvo covers the S60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the S60 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Stinger’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Stinger third among compact premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The S60 isn’t in the top three.

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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 31st, 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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 3 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Stinger has more powerful engines than the S60:

As tested in Motor Trend the Stinger GT1/GT2 3.3 turbo V6 is faster than the S60 T6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Stinger uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The S60 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Stinger has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the S60 FWD’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 S60 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Stinger’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the S60:

The Stinger stops much shorter than the S60:

The Stinger GT1/GT2’s 255/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S60’s optional 40 series tires.

The Stinger has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The S60’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the Stinger uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

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 S60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Stinger’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the S60 (114.4 inches vs. 113.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Stinger is 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S60.

The Stinger’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.9% to 48.1%) than the S60’s (55% to 45%). This gives the Stinger more stable handling and braking.

The Stinger GT2 handles at .93 G’s, while the S60 Momentum pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Stinger executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the S60 R-Design AWD (24.8 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Stinger is quieter than the S60 Momentum (37 vs. 42 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Stinger a Mid-size car, while the S60 is rated a Compact.

The Stinger has .9 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear legroom, 2.7 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the S60.

The engine in the Stinger is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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 S60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 S60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 S60.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Stinger and the Volvo S60, based on reliability, safety and performance.