Compare the2023 Kia StingerVS 2023 Toyota GR Corolla

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
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The Stinger GT2 has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The GR Corolla only offers a rear monitor.

Both the Stinger and GR Corolla have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Stinger has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The GR Corolla’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Stinger and the GR Corolla 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, 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 Kia Stinger weighs 529 to 990 pounds more than the Toyota GR Corolla. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 127 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GR Corolla has not been tested, yet.

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 GR Corolla’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

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

Reliability

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 14th.

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fifth.

Engine

The Stinger GT-Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 273) than the GR Corolla’s standard 1.6 turbo 3-cylinder. The Stinger GT-Line’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 295) than the GR Corolla Morizo Edition’s standard 1.6 turbo 3-cylinder. The Stinger GT2’s standard 3.3 turbo V6 produces 68 more horsepower (368 vs. 300) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (376 vs. 295) than the GR Corolla Morizo Edition’s standard 1.6 turbo 3-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Stinger gets better mileage than the GR Corolla:

			MPG
Stinger
	RWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
GR Corolla
	AWD	1.6 turbo 3-cyl.	21 city/28 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 GR Corolla doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Stinger has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the GR Corolla (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Stinger has a standard automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer an automatic transmission.

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 GR Corolla doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

The Stinger stops much shorter than the GR Corolla:

	Stinger	GR Corolla
70 to 0 MPH	156 feet	167 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	110 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Stinger 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 GR Corolla’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Stinger GT2 has standard 19-inch wheels. The GR Corolla’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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

Suspension and Handling

The Stinger offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The GR Corolla’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Stinger’s wheelbase is 10.5 inches longer than on the GR Corolla (114.4 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Stinger is .2 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GR Corolla.

The Stinger’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.9% to 48.1%) than the GR Corolla’s (58.4% to 41.6%). This gives the Stinger more stable handling and braking.

Chassis

The design of the Kia Stinger amounts to more than styling. The Stinger has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .3 Cd. That is significantly lower than the GR Corolla (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Stinger get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Stinger is quieter than the GR Corolla Circuit Edition:

	Stinger	GR Corolla
At idle	37 dB	52 dB
Full-Throttle	78 dB	81 dB
70 MPH Cruising	70 dB	72 dB

Passenger Space

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

The Stinger has 9.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GR Corolla (93.8 vs. 84.6).

The Stinger has .6 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front hip room, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, 6.5 inches more rear legroom, 10.6 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the GR Corolla.

Cargo Capacity

The Stinger has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the GR Corolla with its rear seat up (23.3 vs. 17.8 cubic feet). The Stinger has a much larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the GR Corolla with its rear seat folded (40.9 vs. 35 cubic feet).

The Stinger’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The GR Corolla Morizo Edition doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

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

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 GR Corolla doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Servicing Ease

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

Ergonomics

The Stinger has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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

The Stinger has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the GR Corolla, and aren’t available on the GR Corolla MORIZO Edition. 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 GR Corolla.

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 GR Corolla doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Stinger has a standard center folding armrest for the driver and front passenger. A center armrest helps combat driver fatigue. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a front seat center armrest.

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 GR Corolla Morizo Edition doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Stinger’s 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. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

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

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 GR Corolla.

Model Availability

The Stinger is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

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