2021 Genesis G70 vs. 2021 Kia Stinger

Looking at a Kia Stinger as an alternative to the more expensive Audi A5 or BMW 3? The new G70 has alternative-alternative plans for you, my friend.

Harnessing the power of an available 365-hp 3.3L twin-turbo V6, the 2021 Genesis G70 matches Kia’s Stinger, pound for pound, in horsepower and zest -- that Hyundai DNA runs deep -- yet packs a bigger punch in the style and features department. In fact, the 2021 G70 is ranked as the #1 luxury small car in America, which is a feat in and of itself, considering it just recently landed at a Genesis dealer near you.

That’s not to say the Kia Stinger is the worst car in the history of humankind. Quite the contrary; the new Stinger is full of pep and has a lot of standard niceties that pricier luxury sports cars have on their options list. But it’s not without its owner complaints and critic critiques – of which the G70 doesn’t share. 
 

More Headroom

In the luxury segment, headroom is the luxury. The new Kia Stinger is victim to the same pitfalls as others in its class, boasting just 38.3 inches for front passengers’ noggins. Reviewers at Edmunds also note that, “Unfortunately, it's not so easy to get in and out. The door sills are wide, and the rear roofline requires passengers to duck to enter.” The low seating position helps some, but it also makes it difficult for the vertically challenged to see over the high hood line.

The new G70 sedan is more accommodating to the front row, offering 39.7 inches of headroom along with wider doors. You may think 1.4 inches is a nominal gain, but that’s your brain speaking, not your skull. 

Technology

While the Stinger does have myriad pieces of technology, it is missing some features luxury car shoppers might expect. 

“While the Stinger's interior is free of glaring errors and omissions, the overall effect is less polished than the efforts we've enjoyed from established luxury brands.” – Car & Driver

Safety Features

For one, the 2021 Kia Stinger doesn’t come standard with some key safety features. The GT-Line Stinger (and the GT) is missing Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, and Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go. You only get the bare bones, like blind-spot warning, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic warning.

This isn’t the case with the G70. With the base Genesis G70 2.0T & Elite models, you get a whole list of standard safety equipment, including:

Heads-Up Display

A good heads-up display (HUD) is a common feature shared by most luxury cars. The Kia Stinger has one, but it’s only standard on the priciest Stinger GT2 trim. Every Genesis G70 model can be equipped with a HUD.

Touchscreen

Dealer Experience

Kia isn’t perceived as a high-end luxury brand – though it really should – which may be a (mostly) self-fulfilling prophecy thanks to its “typical car dealer” experience.

“When we took our Stinger in for service, we shared…that our experience ‘at the dealer has been positive—just not well matched to the Stinger’s upscale feel.’” – Motortrend.com

Because the Stinger acts the part of your everyday luxury sports car, owners might expect an everyday luxury sports car experience at the dealership or service center. But the Kia name is, all things considered, not synonymous with “luxury dealer.” Sub-$20,000 sedans and SUVs are their bread and butter, and it’s that type of vehicle most of their consumers shop for. The Stinger must fend for itself in the space, and Stinger shoppers are flipping a coin when they’re approached by a Kia salesperson.



This isn’t the case when you shop for a G70 or any other luxury vehicle at an official Genesis dealership. Although the Genesis name has only been swirling around the ether for a handful of years, it has earned its claim to fame as the most promising luxury auto brand in the country. That fame boils down to three words: The Genesis Experience.

Visiting a Genesis dealer near you means you’re in for a completely stress-free shopping experience in which you control the purchase process. Plus, when you buy or lease a Genesis vehicle, you receive the brand’s game-changing suite of goodies, which includes:

• Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance for 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Complimentary oil changes every 7,500 miles
• Genesis Service Valet
• Over-the-air multimedia and navigation software updates for 3 years
• Complimentary 24/7 Roadside Assistance for 3 years
• Genesis Connected Services for 3 years
• SiriusXM® Traffic & Travel Link for 3 years

Don’t forget that your Genesis dealer is also always available to help you get the most of your new luxury car or SUV.

Is the Kia Stinger a bad car? Heavens, no. It’s quite good. In fact, it has the potential to be excellent. But we like our luxury sports cars to boil over with sporty brilliance, not simply bubble with potential. That’s why the 2021 Genesis G70 is our choice for the year’s best luxury car under $50,000.

Ready to test drive a G70 in Miami? Get directions to Braman Genesis, your friendly neighborhood luxury car dealer serving South Florida. We have dozens of new G70 sedans for sale, and one of them has your name on it. Call our Miami Genesis dealership at (786) 574-3093 to speak with a sales associate or financing specialist today.