---
title: "Turns Out the Kia Stinger GT Can Beat a Ford Mustang GT in a Drag Race"
description: "A new quarter-mile test shows that the Korean sports saloon might actually be quicker than one of America's automotive icons: the Ford Mustang GT."
date: "2018-03-16"
modified: "2018-03-16"
authors:
  - name: "Kyle Cheromcha"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kyle-cheromcha"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/19329/turns-out-the-kia-stinger-gt-can-beat-a-ford-mustang-gt-in-a-drag-race"
categories:
  - "Ford News"
  - "Kia News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Drag Race"
  - "Hatchback"
  - "Kia"
  - "Kia Stinger"
  - "Quarter Mile"
  - "sports car"
  - "Stinger"
  - "test"
---

# Turns Out the Kia Stinger GT Can Beat a Ford Mustang GT in a Drag Race

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/03/kia-stinger-mustang.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

With its focused handling and twin-turbo V6 engine, the [Kia Stinger GT](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/14860/the-2018-kia-stinger-gt-pokes-ze-germans-in-their-lederhosen>) is one of the most interesting cars to hit the market this year. And a new quarter-mile test shows that the Korean sports saloon might actually be quicker than one of America's automotive icons: the [Ford Mustang GT.](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/16214/2018-ford-mustang-review-a-muscle-car-to-be-thankful-for>)

First, the caveats. This is an independent test set up Down Under [by *Motoring Australia,*](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCtFatTgzKs>) and as such it's dependent on variables like weather, lane conditions, and driver skill. And the Mustang in question is equipped with a manual six-speed transmission, while the Stinger has an 8-speed automatic.

But still, it's pretty surprising to watch the Kia come out on top in a head-to-head battle, putting down a 12.83 second quarter mile compared to the Mustang's 13.32 second run. Even though the Stinger's engine is down two cylinders and about 100 horsepower compared to the Mustang's 5.0-liter Coyote V8, it somehow manages to score the win.

https://youtube.com/embed/JCtFatTgzKs

How, exactly? Again, uncontrolled variables like driver skill and lane condition are definitely at play here, especially considering *Car & Driver* testing showed the Mustang GT racking up a 12.6 second quarter mile at 115 mph. Those numbers are significantly better than the 13.32 second/107 mph recorded here by *Motoring Australia, and* they're also better than the 12.9 second/111 mph result *Car & Driver* found in the rear-wheel-drive Kia Stinger GT.

Whether or not you buy these results, it's undeniable that the Kia Stinger is seriously quick if it's capable of going toe-to-toe with a Mustang in stock form. Maybe that's why police in Australia are considering the car [for high-speed pursuit duty.](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/16823/police-in-australia-get-a-kia-stinger-in-the-pursuit-fleet>)

## Author
Overseeing an expert staff of writers and editors from his lair in Los Angeles, Kyle shapes The Drive’s singular approach to covering the automotive industry and car culture. He’s been with the site as a writer since 2017, taking over as editor in 2019. On a daily basis, Kyle is responsible for directing The Drive's editorial news and car review content strategies, setting special coverage priorities, managing complex reporting projects, and ensuring what you read on the page meets our high internal standards for quality and trustworthiness. He is also the executive producer of The Drive's YouTube channel, which was relaunched in February 2024 to great acclaim and has accumulated over 14M new views in its first year back on the scene. He hosts a biweekly series on the channel where he breaks down fascinating and complicated stories from the automotive world.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/kylecheromcha.bsky.social>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/kylecheromcha>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-cheromcha-1550248a/>)