Compare the2022 Kia StingerVS 2020 Lincoln MKZ

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
Economic Advantages
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 MKZ 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 MKZ only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Stinger and the MKZ 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 Lincoln MKZ:

	Stinger	MKZ
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	18.3%	28%
Neck Stress	137 lbs.	200 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	97/355 lbs.	167/333 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	220	254
Neck Injury Risk	36.6%	52%
Neck Stress	173 lbs.	197 lbs.
Neck Compression	32 lbs.	50 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 post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia Stinger is safer than the Lincoln MKZ:

	Stinger	MKZ
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	16 inches
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	46 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 MKZ 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 MKZ’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Stinger 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Lincoln covers the MKZ. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the MKZ ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

Reliability

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 Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 21st, 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 Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 9th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 11 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

Engine

The Stinger has more powerful engines than the MKZ:

	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.
MKZ Hybrid 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	188 HP
MKZ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	245 HP	275 lbs.-ft.
MKZ 3.0 turbo V6	350 HP	400 lbs.-ft.

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

	Stinger	MKZ
Zero to 30 MPH	1.8 sec	2.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	4.4 sec	7.4 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	6.9 sec	12.9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	10.6 sec	21.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5 sec	8.1 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.5 sec	4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.2 sec	5.2 sec
Quarter Mile	12.9 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	111 MPH	88 MPH
Top Speed	167 MPH	135 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Stringer gets better fuel mileage than the MKZ:

			MPG
Stringer
	2WD	2.5 Turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.5 Turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
MKZ
	2WD	2.0 Turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/31 hwy
	AWD	2.0 Turbo 4-cyl.	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.) Lincoln only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the MKZ Hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Stinger uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The MKZ with the 3.0 turbo V6 engine requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Stinger has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the MKZ Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 14 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 MKZ.

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 MKZ doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Stinger GT-Line	Stinger GT1/GT2	MKZ Hybrid	MKZ 2.0T/3.0T
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	13.8 inches	11.8 inches	12.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.4 inches	11.9 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 MKZ are solid, not vented.

The Stinger stops much shorter than the MKZ:

	Stinger	MKZ
70 to 0 MPH	156 feet	170 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	119 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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 MKZ’s optional 40 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

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

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Stinger is .5 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the MKZ.

The Stinger GT2 handles at .93 G’s, while the MKZ Hybrid pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Stinger executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.8 seconds quicker than the MKZ Premiere (24.8 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Stinger’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the MKZ’s (36.7 feet vs. 39 feet). The Stinger AWD’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the MKZ’s (38.4 feet vs. 39 feet).

Chassis

The Stinger is 3.7 inches shorter than the MKZ, making the Stinger easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Stinger is quieter than the MKZ AWD:

	Stinger	MKZ
At idle	37 dB	44 dB
70 MPH Cruising	70 dB	71 dB

Passenger Space

The Stinger has .4 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more rear headroom and 2.3 inches more rear hip room than the MKZ.

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 MKZ’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Stinger’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The MKZ doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Stinger is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the MKZ. 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 MKZ 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 MKZ’s cruise control 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 MKZ doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

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 MKZ’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

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

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 MKZ doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

The Stinger will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Stinger will retain 39.25% to 40.44% of its original price after five years, while the MKZ only retains 37.02% to 37.95%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Stinger and the Lincoln MKZ, 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 MKZ isn’t in the top three.