Compare the2023 Kia StingerVS 2023 Acura Integra

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 Integra 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 Integra doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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

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 Integra doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Stinger and the Integra 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 and rear cross-path warning.

The Kia Stinger weighs 664 to 1103 pounds more than the Acura Integra. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

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, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Stinger its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 80 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Integra has not been tested, yet.

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 Integra’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 Acura covers the Integra. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Integra ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 99 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 13 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The Stinger GT-Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 100 more horsepower (300 vs. 200) and 119 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 192) than the Integra’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Stinger GT2’s standard 3.3 turbo V6 produces 168 more horsepower (368 vs. 200) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (376 vs. 192) than the Integra’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

The Stinger has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Integra (15.9 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Stinger 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 Integra doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Stinger 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 Integra are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Stinger has larger standard tires than the Integra (225/45R18 vs. 215/50R17).

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 Integra’s standard 50 series tires. The Stinger GT2’s 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Integra A-Spec’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Stinger GT-Line has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Integra. The Stinger GT2’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Integra A-Spec.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Stinger’s wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the Integra (114.4 inches vs. 107.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Stinger is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Integra.

The Stinger’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.9% to 48.1%) than the Integra’s (60% to 40%). This gives the Stinger more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Stinger’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Integra’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Stinger has .7 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more rear headroom and 7.2 inches more rear hip room than the Integra.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Stinger GT2’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Stinger’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Integra doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

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

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

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 Integra doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Stinger’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Integra has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Stinger and the Integra have standard heated front seats. 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 Integra.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Stinger GT2 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Integra doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 is only available on the Integra A-Spec with Technology Package.

With standard voice command, the Stinger offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Integra doesn’t offer a voice control system.

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 Integra.

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