Compare the2022 Kia StingerVS 2020 Ford Fusion

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
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 Fusion doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Stinger GT2 has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Fusion 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.

Both the Stinger and the Fusion 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

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 Ford Fusion:

	Stinger	Fusion
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	161	234
Neck Injury Risk	18.3%	32%
Neck Stress	137 lbs.	234 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	97/355 lbs.	232/354 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	220	400
Neck Injury Risk	36.6%	65%
Neck Stress	173 lbs.	230 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 Ford Fusion:

	Stinger	Fusion
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	119	121
Abdominal Force	197 G’s	269 G’s
Hip Force	252 lbs.	338 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	263	327
Hip Force	571 lbs.	805 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	16 inches
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	45 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 Fusion last would have qualified as a “Top Pick” in 2017.

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 Fusion’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 Ford covers the Fusion. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Fusion 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 Fusion’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th, 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 Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 7 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The Stinger has more powerful engines than the Fusion:

	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.
Fusion S 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	175 HP	175 lbs.-ft.
Fusion SE/SEL 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder	181 HP	185 lbs.-ft.
Fusion Titanium 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	245 HP	275 lbs.-ft.

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

	Stinger	Fusion
Zero to 60 MPH	4.6 sec	6.8 sec
Quarter Mile	13.1 sec	15.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	106.9 MPH	91.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Stinger GT-Line AWD gets better fuel mileage than the Fusion Titanium AWD 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. (21 city/29 hwy vs. 20 city/29 hwy).

Regardless of its engine, the Stinger’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) Ford only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Fusion ECOBoost FWD.

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 Fusion.

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 Fusion doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Stinger GT-Line	Stinger GT1/GT2	Fusion
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	13.8 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.4 inches	11.9 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 Fusion are solid, not vented.

The Stinger stops much shorter than the Fusion:

	Stinger	Fusion
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Stinger has larger standard tires than the Fusion (225/45R18 vs. 215/60R16).

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 Fusion S’ standard 60 series tires. The Stinger GT1/GT2’s 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Fusion Titanium’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Stinger GT-Line has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Fusion S.

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 Fusion; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Stinger’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the Fusion (114.4 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Stinger is .1 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Fusion.

The Stinger GT2 handles at .92 G’s, while the Fusion SE pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Road and Track skidpad test.

The Stinger executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the Fusion Titanium (24.8 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Stinger’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Fusion’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.5 feet).

Passenger Space

The Stinger has .5 inches more front hip room and 1.7 inches more rear hip room than the Fusion.

Cargo Capacity

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 Fusion doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Servicing Ease

The Stinger uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Fusion uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the Stinger is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Fusion. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because 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 Fusion doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Stinger’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Fusion’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Fusion’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

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 Fusion doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Stinger’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Fusion and aren’t offered on the Fusion S.

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

The Stinger has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Fusion, and aren’t available on the Fusion S. 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 Fusion.

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 Fusion.

Both the Stinger and the Fusion 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 Fusion 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. The Fusion doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Stinger and the Ford Fusion, 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 Fusion isn’t in the top three in its category.