Compare the2023 Kia StingerVS 2023 Hyundai Elantra N

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Elantra N doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Elantra N 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 Elantra N 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 Elantra N 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 Elantra N have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 and driver alert monitors.

The Kia Stinger weighs 518 to 990 pounds more than the Hyundai Elantra N. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Hyundai Elantra N:

	Stinger	Elantra N
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	18.3%	21%
Neck Stress	137 lbs.	268 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	220	314
Neck Injury Risk	36.6%	42%
Neck Stress	173 lbs.	177 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	53/25 lbs.	135/61 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 Hyundai Elantra N:

	Stinger	Elantra N
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	1.1 inches	1.2 inches
Abdominal Force	197 lbs.	239 lbs.
Hip Force	252 lbs.	327 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	263	345
Spine Acceleration	62 G’s	68 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	40 G’s
Hip Force	752 lbs.	954 lbs.

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, 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 101 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Elantra N is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

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 Elantra N’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 17th, below the industry 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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked third.

Engine

The Stinger GT-Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 24 more horsepower (300 vs. 276) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 289) than the Elantra N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Stinger GT2’s standard 3.3 turbo V6 produces 92 more horsepower (368 vs. 276) and 87 lbs.-ft. more torque (376 vs. 289) than the Elantra N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Stinger gets better mileage than the Elantra N:

			MPG
Stinger
RWD	Auto	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/32 hwy
Elantra N
FWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/31 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/30 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Stinger’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Elantra N doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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

Transmission

The Kia Stinger comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Elantra N.

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension and Handling

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Stinger’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the Elantra N (114.4 inches vs. 107.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Stinger is .4 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Elantra N.

For better maneuverability, the Stinger’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Elantra N’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

Passenger Space

The Stinger has .3 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front hip room and 5.6 inches more rear hip room than the Elantra N.

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 Elantra N’s liftover is 28.6 inches.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Stinger’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. The Elantra N’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The Stinger’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Elantra N’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Stinger. The Elantra N doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Stinger GT2 has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a power trunk.

Servicing Ease

The Stinger uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Elantra N 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 Elantra N. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Stinger GT2, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a memory system.

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 Elantra N doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Stinger GT2 has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Stinger’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Elantra N has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Stinger’s front power windows 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 Elantra N’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Stinger’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Elantra N can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Elantra N’s passenger power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Elantra N’s 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 Elantra N doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 Elantra N’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Elantra N offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Stinger and the Elantra N 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 Elantra N.

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 Elantra N doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Stinger’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Stinger has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the Stinger and the Elantra N 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 Elantra N doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Stinger has a standard Advanced Smart Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Elantra N doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Recommendations

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

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