2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia vs. 2022 Kia Stinger: Which Is Better?

The 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and 2022 Kia Stinger are two comparably sized compact performance sedans. The Giulia carries 111 years of motoring history, while the Stinger is a relatively recent arrival. Which is better?

Quick Facts

• Alfa Romeo Giulia: Stands out in a crowded segment; offers power and performance.
• Kia Stinger: It’s the new kid on the block, but it’s eager to please with plenty of choices.

2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia

Base price: $42,550 / Choose the right trim for your 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia

What we like: The quintessential Italian performance sedan; distinctive styling; available AWD and Quadrifoglio high-performance model.

What we would change: Up the build quality to its German rivals; improve long-term reliability; increase the size of the dealer network.

Overview:  A premium Italian-designed and built sport sedan, the 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia squares off against its established Euro-rivals and the new 2022 Kia Stinger. Its beautifully designed exterior helps it stand out in the field. With sharp handling, a choice of two engines, and available AWD, it manages to stand out from a crowd. But will its reliability, limited rear legroom, small trunk, and cabin materials hamstring it in the long run?

What’s new for 2022: The new 2022 Giulia includes a larger list of active safety features than before. It now includes Qi wireless charging and standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone connectivity from a technology standpoint.

Features and technology: The new 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia is now available in four trim levels: base Sprint, Ti, Veloce, and Quadrifoglio. The three lower trim models include power from a spritely 280-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine delivering 306 lb-ft of torque. They are all mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Italian-made Brembo brakes are standard, and all-wheel drive is available on all models for a $2,000 upcharge. The destination fee for all models is a rather steep $1,595.

The 2022 Giulia Quadrifoglio ($78,650) is a thoroughbred with the heart of a Ferrari. Engineered by its Prancing Horse big brother, the 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine delivers 505-hp and 443 lb-ft of torque and is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This configuration can sprint from 0-60 in 3.6 seconds and taps out at 191 mph. It is available exclusively in a rear-wheel-drive configuration.

Safety is standard on the Giulia and includes lane departure warning, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring. Joining these are automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlights, and more.

What does the future hold? Word from the old country (Italy) says there should be a redesign occurring between 2023 – 2024. Going further, Alfa’s parent company Stellantis hopes to have the Alfa Romeo brand electrified by 2027. See 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia models for sale near you 

2022 Kia Stinger

Base Price:  $37,135 / Read our 2022 Kia Stinger Review

What we like: Upgraded 4-cylinder engine; a new larger display screen; available all-wheel drive; the versatility of a hatchback; great powertrain warranty.

What we would change: Raise interior quality to the level of European rivals; sticker prices cause pause at higher trim levels.

Overview: The 2022 Stinger is a realistic alternative to European brands like Audi and BMW. For 2022 the Kia Stinger includes potent power, road handling ability, and more from a surprising source. The 2022 Stinger improves with more powerful engines from the entry-level GT-Line models upward. The new Stinger Scorpion Special Edition dresses up the GT2 range, while lower trim levels enjoy trickle-down features from above. Some customers may feel surprised when viewing the window sticker of higher trim lines, especially from a brand known for value pricing. All-wheel drive is available for $2,200, and the destination fee is $1,045.

What’s new for 2022: The Stinger’s trim sets are now adjusted with the GT-Line as the base model. This Stinger is powered by a 300 horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 rather than the 255 hp 2.0-liter engine from 2021. The 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine receives a 3-hp increase for GT-1 and GT-2 models thanks to a trick exhaust valve that increases its growl. The Kia Stinger Scorpion Special Edition includes GT-2 features and then some: Available in either FWD or AWD, it includes black-out exterior trim, black side mirrors, and dark exhaust. The Scorpion is complete with carbon-fiber interior trim, Nappa leather, new 19-inch alloy wheels, and a body-colored rear spoiler.

Features and Technology: Overall, the 2022 Stinger has been gently updated with LED head- and taillights, new wheels, and a sporty rear look with a black lower bumper finish and black exhausts. Inside, it now includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen display on all models. A new gauge binnacle includes a 4.2- or 7.0-inch display (depending on trim), new stitching on the seats, brushed aluminum on the center console, and a frameless rearview mirror.

What does the future hold: The Kia Stinger has been refreshed for 2022, but rumor mills keep churning that its time here is limited. In that case, you’d better hurry to purchase this future classic. What hasn’t changed is the brand’s 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. See 2022 Kia Stinger models for sale

Giulia vs. Stinger: Strengths Comparison

Alfa Romeo Giulia: The 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia continues to offer beautiful styling and exciting performance in a crowded automotive segment. Punchy entry-level performance and an over-the-top Ferrari-engineered powerplant help add to the excitement.

Kia Stinger: Offering a choice of engines and rear or AWD, the 2022 Kia Stinger doesn’t have the long-term reputation of others in the segment but offers more power and versatility than its rival. It manages to bring a lot of content for the money as well as an outstanding powertrain warranty.

Alfa Romeo Giulia vs. Kia Stinger:  Which Is Better?

The 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia combines old-world beauty with modern-day performance. The 2022 Kia Stinger is the new kid on the block with good power, good cargo access, and an excellent powertrain warranty. We think that despite not having a storied history, the Kia Stinger is better.

See 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia models for sale or See 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia models for sale