Compare the2022 Kia StingerVS 2020 Jaguar XE

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 Jaguar XE doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 XE doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 XE’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 XE.

Both the Stinger and the XE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, 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 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 XE has not been tested, yet.

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

There are over 4 times as many Kia dealers as there are Jaguar 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 16 points higher than the XE.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Stinger third among compact premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The XE 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 Jaguar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jaguar is ranked 29th, 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 Jaguar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 89 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jaguar is ranked 31st.

The Stinger GT-Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 53 more horsepower (300 vs. 247) and 42 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 269) than the XE 25t’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Stinger GT-Line’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 4 more horsepower (300 vs. 296) and 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 295) than the XE 30t’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Stinger GT1/GT2’s standard 3.3 turbo V6 produces 72 more horsepower (368 vs. 296) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (376 vs. 295) than the XE 30t’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Stinger GT1/GT2 3.3 turbo V6 is faster than the XE 25t:

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

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 XE doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Stinger stops much shorter than the XE:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Stinger’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the XE (114.4 inches vs. 111.6 inches).

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

The Stinger GT2 handles at .91 G’s, while the XE pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Stinger executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the XE (24.8 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

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

The Stinger has 2.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XE (93.8 vs. 91).

The Stinger has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the XE.

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 XE doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 XE’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 XE doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

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 XE 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 XE.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Stinger, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jaguar XE isn't recommended.

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 XE isn’t in the top three.