Crossovers and SUVs may dominate the sales charts, but sedans are still around. That doesn’t mean they aren’t immune from consumer whims. The Kia Stinger won’t be around much longer, which is sad, considering the GT packs a performance punch that was put on full display against the Infiniti Q50 in this new drag racing video.
Powering the 2023 Stinger GT Tribute Edition is the company’s proprietary twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine. It produces 368 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, sending power to an all-wheel-drive system via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
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The 2023 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport Black Opel Edition has a smaller 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged engine under the hood, but produces more horsepower, at 400 hp, and less torque at 350 lb-ft. It also has one gear less in the gearbox with seven speeds forward, but pumps power to all four wheels like the Kia.
While the Stinger GT is heavier than the Q50, weighing in at 4,179 pounds compared to 3,998 lbs, the Kia is the faster car in the competition. Kia won both rolling races and continued to dominate from the dig, claiming wins in all four. It finished the quarter mile race in 13.1 seconds, while Infiniti needed 13.3 seconds. Both need 4.5 seconds to go from zero to 60 miles per hour.
The Kia Stinger is on its way out. The automaker introduced the Tribute Edition late last year as a pre-Christmas gift, with production slated to end in 2024. The Tribute Edition received numerous visual upgrades and limited production but no performance boost. The Q50 Black Opal Edition debuted earlier this year, giving the model new paint and interior updates.
Sales of sedans have suffered with the influx of crossovers and SUVs over the past decade. Consumers have flocked to high-riding models, with several automakers dropping sales of slower vehicles such as the Stinger.
However, some of that tide is turning this year, with sales of sedans and hatchbacks regaining some of their market share. Until June, sales figures for several sedans have increased. Toyota Camry, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Accord and others are getting more buyers. Even the eight-year-old Chevrolet Malibu has seen an increase.
