Compare the2022 Kia StingerVS 2020 Chevrolet Impala

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
Recommendations

Safety

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The Stinger has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Impala doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Stinger offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Impala doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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 Impala and is only available on Impala Premier.

The Stinger GT2 has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Impala only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

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 Impala’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 Impala.

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 Impala doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Stinger and the Impala 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, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

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 Chevrolet Impala:

	Stinger	Impala
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	161	229
Neck Injury Risk	18.3%	23.3%
Neck Stress	137 lbs.	184 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	220	412
Neck Compression	32 lbs.	97 lbs.

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

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Kia Stinger is safer than the Impala:

	Stinger	Impala
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	1 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	0%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD

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 Chevrolet Impala:

	Stinger	Impala
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Movement	1.1 inches	1.3 inches
Hip Force	252 lbs.	332 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	571 lbs.	855 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
HIC	310	315
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	38 G’s

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, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Stinger the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 110 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Impala is not a “Top Pick.”

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 Impala’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 Chevrolet covers the Impala. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Impala 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 Impala’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 Impala 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 Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked third.

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 Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked 12th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 2 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The Stinger GT-Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 264) than the Impala’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The Stinger GT1/GT2’s standard 3.3 turbo V6 produces 63 more horsepower (368 vs. 305) and 112 lbs.-ft. more torque (376 vs. 264) than the Impala’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Stinger GT1/GT2 3.3 turbo V6 is faster than the Chevrolet Impala:

	Stinger	Impala
Zero to 30 MPH	1.8 sec	2.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	4.4 sec	6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	10.6 sec	15.5 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5 sec	6.2 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.5 sec	3.4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.2 sec	4 sec
Quarter Mile	12.9 sec	14.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	111 MPH	97 MPH
Top Speed	167 MPH	149 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Stinger GT-Line RWD gets better fuel mileage than the Impala (22 city/32 hwy vs. 19 city/28 hwy).

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 Impala doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Kia Stinger, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Impala.

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 Impala doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Stinger GT-Line	Stinger GT1/GT2	Impala
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	13.8 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.4 inches	12.4 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 Impala are solid, not vented.

The Stinger stops much shorter than the Impala:

	Stinger	Impala
70 to 0 MPH	156 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	124 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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 Impala LT’s standard 50 series tires. The Stinger GT1/GT2’s 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Impala Premier’s optional 40 series tires.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Stinger’s wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the Impala (114.4 inches vs. 111.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Stinger is .6 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Impala.

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

The Stinger GT2 handles at .93 G’s, while the Impala LT pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Stinger executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the Impala Premier (24.8 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 27.1 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Stinger’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Impala’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.8 feet). The Stinger AWD’s turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the Impala’s (38.4 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

Chassis

The Stinger is 11.1 inches shorter than the Impala, making the Stinger easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

Passenger Space

The Stinger has .6 inches more front hip room and 2 inches more rear hip room than the Impala.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Stinger easier. The Stinger’s trunk lift-over height is 27.5 inches, while the Impala’s liftover is 29.4 inches.

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 Impala 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 Impala. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Stinger GT2 has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Impala doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Stinger’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Impala’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The Stinger has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Impala doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

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 Impala’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Stinger’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Impala’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Stinger detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Impala doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

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 Impala doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 Impala’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Stinger has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Impala. 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 Impala.

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. Only the Impala Premier offers wireless charging and it costs extra.

Recommendations

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Stinger third among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Impala isn’t in the top three in its category.