The Kia Stinger was a vehicle that resonated deeply with enthusiasts, earning admiration as one of the most compelling car introductions in recent years. Its GT-inspired silhouette, four-door liftback design, and potent twin-turbocharged V6 engine, coupled with available all-wheel drive, positioned it uniquely in the market. For those seeking a blend of performance and practicality outside the premium German marques, the Stinger was a standout choice, especially coming from a brand like Kia.
However, despite its merits, the Kia Stinger faced challenges. Lower-than-expected sales, influenced by brand perception and a shifting market favoring crossovers over distinctive sedans, led to its discontinuation after the 2023 model year. For fans of this unique vehicle, the news was undoubtedly disappointing. Yet, the automotive landscape is ever-evolving, and a potential successor has emerged from an unexpected corner: Dodge, with its all-new Charger. It might seem unconventional to compare a discontinued Korean performance sedan with a brand-new Dodge that hasn’t even hit dealerships yet, but the similarities are striking.
The unveiling of the new Dodge Charger’s specifications reveals a vehicle remarkably aligned with the spirit of the departed Kia Stinger. At their core, both cars occupy a similar space. The Kia Stinger offered a choice between a 2.5-liter 300 horsepower turbocharged I4 and a more powerful 3.3-liter 365 hp V6, both with optional all-wheel drive. These engine options provided a range of performance levels to suit different preferences.
Dodge mirrors this approach with the new Charger, offering two variations of its 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane I6 engine. While details on engine availability across Charger body styles are still emerging, the output figures are compelling. Drivers can anticipate either a 420 hp version or a high-output variant boasting an impressive 550 hp. Crucially, both engine configurations are paired with standard all-wheel drive and eight-speed automatic transmissions, echoing the Stinger’s performance-oriented setup.
Body style is another key point of convergence. Both the Stinger and the Charger sedan embrace the four-door liftback configuration, offering enhanced cargo accessibility compared to traditional sedans. Dodge playfully refers to the Charger’s liftback as a “hidden hatch,” but the functionality is clear. In terms of size, the Charger sedan surpasses the Stinger, featuring a longer 121-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 206.6 inches. This makes it significantly larger than the Stinger, which has a 114.4-inch wheelbase and a 190.2-inch overall length. Despite its larger dimensions, the Charger’s cargo space doesn’t dramatically outstrip the Stinger’s.
Interestingly, the Kia Stinger holds a slight edge in cargo capacity. With the rear seats in place, the Stinger provides 23.3 cubic feet of space, marginally more than the Charger’s 22.8 cubic feet. Folding the rear seats expands this to 40.9 cubic feet in the Stinger and 37.4 cubic feet in the Charger. The Charger EV, with its frunk, adds a further 1.4 cubic feet, slightly altering the equation. Regardless, the core message is clear: Dodge has inadvertently crafted an American successor to the Kia Stinger, reviving the appeal of a highly practical and stylish body style. This is further amplified by the availability of the same powertrain options in a coupe version of the Charger. While the roar of the Hemi V8s may be absent, the new Charger presents a compelling proposition: a large, all-wheel-drive liftback sedan powered by a potent straight-six engine, a combination virtually unmatched among American automakers today. If Dodge can position the Charger competitively in terms of price when the gasoline-powered models arrive in 2025, they may well have a hit with automotive enthusiasts who are looking for something “new” and exciting after the Kia Stinger’s departure.
