Kia Stinger: Blind Spot Monitor Availability And Performance

The Kia Stinger is a sporty luxury car with a sleek and elegant design. It was first introduced in 2018 as a major departure for the brand, known for its budget-friendly cars and SUVs. The Stinger offers excellent handling, a powerful engine, and a four-door fastback design, making it a great daily driver.

One of the key safety features of the Kia Stinger is its blind-spot monitoring system, which was included in the standard features list starting in the 2019 model. This system helps drivers by alerting them to vehicles in their blind spots, particularly when changing lanes or merging.

The Stinger's blind-spot monitoring system works in conjunction with other safety features such as rear cross-traffic collision warning and lane-keeping assist to provide a comprehensive safety package. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2023 Stinger a five-out-of-five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash and rollover tests and four stars in the frontal crash test.

In addition to its safety features, the Stinger offers a host of standard features at a lower price than its European luxury small car competitors.

Kia Stinger's blind-spot monitoring system

The 2023 Kia Stinger is a sporty luxury car with a host of standard features, including a blind-spot monitoring system. This system is designed to enhance the safety of the vehicle by providing the driver with visual and/or audible warnings when there are vehicles in the Stinger's blind spots.

The blind-spot monitoring system in the Kia Stinger is part of the vehicle's advanced safety features, which also include rear cross-traffic collision warning, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. These features work together to assist the driver and help prevent accidents.

The blind-spot monitoring system in the Kia Stinger uses sensors to detect vehicles in the blind spots on either side of the car. When a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, the system alerts the driver through visual indicators in the side mirrors and/or an audible warning. This warning helps the driver to be more aware of their surroundings and make safer lane changes.

The Stinger's blind-spot monitoring system is designed to work at speeds above 20 mph. At lower speeds, the indicators in the side mirrors do not illuminate, as the system is designed to activate only when the vehicle is travelling at higher speeds. However, the system does provide warnings when the car is in reverse, with a chime alerting the driver if someone approaches from the sides.

The addition of blind-spot monitoring in the 2023 Kia Stinger is a significant safety feature, providing drivers with greater awareness of their surroundings and helping to prevent accidents. This feature, along with the other advanced safety systems in the vehicle, makes the Stinger a good choice for those seeking a sporty and luxurious driving experience without compromising on safety.

Reliability of the blind-spot monitoring system at low speeds

The Kia Stinger does have a blind-spot monitoring system, but its reliability at low speeds is questionable. While the system is designed to alert drivers of vehicles in their blind spots, there is confusion over whether it functions at speeds below 20 mph.

The Stinger's blind-spot monitoring system uses sensors and, in some cases, cameras to detect vehicles in adjacent lanes. If a vehicle is detected, the driver is alerted through visual and/or audible warnings. This feature is intended to improve safety and reduce the roughly 800,000 blind spot accidents that occur annually, according to the National Highway Safety Administration.

However, according to the Stinger's manual and some user experiences, the blind-spot indicators in the outside mirrors do not trigger below 20 mph. This means that at low speeds or when stopped, the system may not alert drivers of vehicles in their blind spots. This can be a safety concern, especially when navigating busy traffic or making turns.

While the Stinger's system may not be fully reliable at low speeds, blind-spot monitoring systems in general have been found to reduce lane-change collision involvement rates and decrease injuries and claims related to these types of accidents. Despite this, it is still recommended that drivers follow best practices and manually check their blind spots, as the system is not 100% reliable and can give false alarms or detect vehicles too late for the driver to take action.

Comparison of the Kia Stinger to other cars in its class

The Kia Stinger is a four-door hatchback with a rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive option. It is a sporty luxury car with a premium interior, a comfortable ride, and a surprisingly punchy engine. The Stinger is a great value option, costing considerably less than its German sedan rivals.

Kia Stinger vs Audi A4/A5 Sportback

The Audi A4 and A5 Sportback are often mentioned as rivals to the Stinger. The A5 Sportback, in particular, has a similar recipe to the Stinger, with a slender profile, accommodating seating, and a large cargo hold. The Audi has swankier cabin materials and a broader engine lineup, but the Stinger has more standard features and costs about $7,300 less.

Kia Stinger vs BMW 3-Series/4-Series Gran Coupe

The Stinger has been likened to the BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe, but with the starting price of an affordable sports compact. The BMW has sharper steering, a huge 1,300-litre boot, and frameless window glass in the doors. The Stinger, however, has a more powerful base engine.

Kia Stinger vs Genesis G70

The Genesis G70 is built on the same platform as the Stinger, so the two cars have a lot in common, from their engines to their infotainment systems. The G70 is smaller and lighter, with sharper handling and superior interior materials. The Stinger, on the other hand, has a more powerful base engine and a larger cargo area.

Kia Stinger vs Jaguar XE S

The Jaguar XE S is a lovely thing, with a lightweight aluminium body, exceptional suspension, and a supercharged V6 engine. The Stinger, however, has more low-end grunt and is rear-wheel drive, whereas the XE S is all-wheel drive.

Kia Stinger vs Mercedes-AMG C43

The Mercedes-AMG C43 has more power than the Stinger, and its gorgeous interior and three-pointed star on the bonnet make it a tempting proposition. The Stinger, however, has a lower price tag and is available in rear-wheel drive.

Kia Stinger vs Ford Focus RS

The Ford Focus RS is a wildcard rival to the Stinger. It has four doors, huge lumps of turbocharged power, and a badge that doesn't scream 'I downsize businesses for a living'. It's also £8k cheaper than the Stinger.

Other Mentions

Other cars mentioned as rivals to the Stinger include the Volvo S60, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Acura TLX, and the redesigned 2024 Ford Mustang.

The Stinger's luxury status

The Kia Stinger is a luxury sports sedan that offers a premium experience at a more affordable price than its competitors. With its sleek and sporty design, the Stinger delivers on both performance and style.

The Stinger's interior is well-designed and elegant, resembling the cabins of luxury cars from established brands like Mercedes-Benz. While some hard plastics are used, the overall build quality is excellent, and the car successfully minimises wind and road noise. The Stinger also offers a comfortable and spacious rear seat, a rarity in this class of vehicle.

In terms of performance, the Stinger has two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower, and a twin-turbo 3.3-litre V-6 engine with 368 horsepower. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering quick and seamless gear changes. The Stinger's handling is agile and sure-footed, though it may not match the composure of more established luxury brands when pushed to the limit.

The Stinger also comes packed with tech and safety features. Its infotainment system, UVO, includes a large touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a premium sound system. Additionally, the Stinger offers advanced driver-assistance features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision warning.

With its combination of performance, luxury, and technology, the Kia Stinger is a strong contender in the luxury sports sedan market, offering a high-end experience at a more accessible price point.

The Stinger's safety features

The Kia Stinger comes with a host of safety features, including a front seat adjustment system, a driver position memory system, and a rear seat adjustment system. The car also has a seat belt restraint system, which includes pre-tensioner seat belts and various precautions outlined in the owner's manual.

The Stinger is also equipped with an advanced supplemental restraint system, or SRS, which includes front airbags for both the driver and the passenger. The SRS also includes an airbag warning light, and an Occupant Detection System (ODS).

For families, the Stinger has a Child Restraint System (CRS) and guidelines on selecting and installing the appropriate one. The car manual also recommends that children are always seated in the rear of the vehicle.

The Stinger also comes with standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, standard lane-departure warning, and standard lane-keeping assist. It also has adaptive cruise control.

Frequently asked questions