Compare the2023 Volkswagen Golf RVS 2023 Kia Stinger

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Golf R have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Stinger doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Golf R has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Stinger doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Golf R has standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Stinger doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Golf R. But it costs extra on the Stinger.

Both the Golf R and the Stinger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and driver alert monitors.

The Golf R’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Stinger’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Golf R for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Stinger.

The Volkswagen Golf R’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Stinger’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Golf R Manual’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (315 vs. 300) than the Stinger GT-Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Golf R DSG is faster than the Stinger GT2 3.3 turbo V6 (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Golf R gets better mileage than the Stinger:

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

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Golf R higher (5 out of 10) than the Kia Stinger (3). This means the Golf R produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Stinger every 15,000 miles.

The Golf R offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Stinger doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Golf R offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Stinger doesn’t offer an SMG.

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

The Golf R’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Stinger GT-Line are solid, not vented.

The Golf R stops much shorter than the Stinger:

For better traction, the Golf R has larger tires than the Stinger (235/35R19 vs. 225/45R18). The Golf R’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Stinger (235/35R19 vs. 225/40R19).

The Golf R’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Stinger GT-Line’s standard 45 series tires. The Golf R’s tires are lower profile than the Stinger GT2’s 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Golf R has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Stinger GT-Line.

The Golf R handles at .99 G’s, while the Stinger AWD pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Golf R executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the Stinger (24.9 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 26.8 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The Volkswagen Golf R may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 700 pounds less than the Kia Stinger.

The Golf R is 1 foot, 9.3 inches shorter than the Stinger, making the Golf R easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Golf R is quieter than the Stinger GT2 (76 vs. 84 dB).

The Golf R has .2 inches more front headroom and 1.1 inches more rear headroom than the Stinger.

The Golf R’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Stinger does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Golf R’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Stinger’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Golf R to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Stinger doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Golf R has a standard rear wiper. The Stinger doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Golf R has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Stinger.

The Golf R’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Stinger doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Golf R was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 15 of the last 16 years. The Stinger has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

Motor Trend selected the Golf R as their 2015 Car of the Year. The Stinger has never been chosen.

The Golf R was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 5 of the last 15 years. The Stinger has never been an “All Star.”

The Volkswagen Golf/GTI outsold the Kia Stinger by 105 units during the 2021 model year.