2021 Ford Mustang vs Kia Stinger

The 2021 Ford Mustang combines modern convenience with retro style. New for 2021, are front-end and black stripes on the hood and body sides, plus a new front end, wings and spoilers from the GT500. It has an upscale cabin that offers high-quality materials, and a trunk space with an opening. There is 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space in the standard Mustang Fastback, with rear seats that fold down for extra room. Convertible models offer 11.4 cubic feet of space. The Mustang seats two in the front and two in the back, with its focus on its two front seats. Both the driver and passenger have plenty of comfortable space and well-bolstered seats. Cloth seats are standard, but higher models offer full leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats. With nine available trims, the starting price for the base EcoBoost Fastback is $27,155 and ranges to $73,900 for the Shelby GT500.

The 2021 Kia Stinger is a four-door hatchback with seating for five. It boasts an upscale and spacious interior, with roomy seating and cargo space, and enough head and legroom in both rows. There are numerous soft plastic surfaces, as well as metallic accents and upholstered areas. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are standard and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats are available. It has 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 40.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Stinger comes in four trims: GT-Line, CT, GT1, and GT2, with a starting price of $33,090 for the GT-Line and ranges to $50,390 for the GT2 trim.

The Mustang gives you plenty of engine options, but the Mach 1 becomes the most track-capable 5.0-liter V8 Mustang ever. It produces 480 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 420 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm and comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission from the Shelby GT350. Buyers can also opt for an available 10-speed automatic transmission with an upgraded torque converter that optimizes its performance. Three additional engine options include: the base 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, found in EcoBoost trims and moves quickly with 310 horsepower. An optional performance package gives you an engine output of 330 horsepower. The optional 5.0-liter V8 engine in the Mustang GT packs a punch and doesn’t slow you down with its 460 hp. Both the four-cylinder and V8 engines come standard with six-speed manual transmission or a refined 10-speed automatic. The Shelby GT500 makes an astounding 760 horsepower with its supercharged V8 engine. With the standard EcoBoost engine, you will get an EPA-estimated 21/32 mpg in the city and highway. The V8 Mustang GT gets up to 16/25 mpg in the city and highway. Fuel economy is probably not the biggest concern for buyers of the Shelby GT350, which gets an estimated 14/21 mpg city/highway.

The Kia Stinger is available in two engine configurations – the Stinger CT-Line has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The Stinger GT, GT1, and GT2 models have a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. Both engines come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. The Kia Stinger feels smooth and stable around turns and bumps in the road, while providing quick acceleration, with lots of passing power. Brembo brakes are available and are great performers. Fuel economy is estimated at 22/29 mpg city/highway and 21/29 mpg with all-wheel drive.

A rearview camera is a standard driver assistance feature in the Mustang, as well as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist. Forward collision warning, automatic high-beam headlights, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and MyKey are also included. Every Ford Mustang comes with a SYNC infotainment system, too. Its standard SYNC shows information on a 4.2-inch screen: an upgraded SYNC 3 system features an 8-inch touch screen. Available options include adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, and navigation. A Wi-Fi hotspot, six-speaker stereo, FordPass Connect (allows users to control and monitor your vehicle through a smartphone app), and proximity keyless entry is standard. Its latest technology has a clean design and a simple interface that comes with available Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an impressive stereo 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo.

The Kia Stinger features a UVO infotainment system and a 7-inch touch screen. Additional standard features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, HD Radio, satellite radio, six speakers, and a smartphone charging pad. An 8-inch touch screen, navigation, nine speakers, and a 15-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is available. The Stinger’s standard advanced safety features include a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. There are plenty of available options including pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlights, automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning and front parking sensors.