For me, the Kia Stinger is the first Korean car that really makes me want to own it. The Stinger and what Kia is doing now has strong potential to catch up with German premium sports cars.
Drivability has been raised to a really high level for a Kia. The chassis, steering and gearbox keep up very nicely even when driving briskly and the car is a joy to drive around the twists and turns of a winding road. The two-litre four-cylinder engine delivers a very presentable 245 horsepower and 353 newton metres of torque.
There are three engine options in total. In addition to the two-litre in the test car, there is a 3.3-litre V6 with 366 horsepower and 510 newton metres of torque, while the diesel option is a 2.2-litre CRDI with a maximum output of 200 horsepower and 440 newton metres of torque.
All Stingers are equipped with electric power steering and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It is very difficult to single out a weak link in terms of driveability; on the contrary, the overall driveability is well balanced and tactile. The feel of the chassis is crowned by the optional electrically adjustable shock absorbers.
The list of standard equipment is long and comprehensive
The Stinger has a long list of standard equipment levels, starting with the Business Premium. As standard, the car comes with a comprehensive list of useful equipment, including leather upholstery, LED headlights, active lane departure warning, active cruise control, a heated steering wheel and a navigation system with seven-year map updates.
There are three equipment levels. With the smaller petrol and diesel engines, the car is available with Business Premium and GT-Line trim levels. The GT trim comes only with the V6 engine.
The choice of accessories has been made easy, with buyers able to select the equipment packages they want for their car directly from a range of pre-tailored accessory packages.
The fact that the Stinger has received a perfect five stars in the Euro Ncap crash tests is also a good indication of the well-functioning equipment and successful design of the car. In particular, the automatic emergency braking system that comes as standard on the Stinger was praised.
Personalised design turns heads
The Stinger has been available on the Finnish market for about a year now, but the number of Stingers you meet in traffic can be counted on the fingers of a few hands.
The Stinger is a model that attracts a lot of attention and the personal design is very attractive.
But is the Stinger still too personal in appearance for the conservative, understated Finnish automotive taste?
Specifications: KIA Stinger 2.0 T-GDI
- Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
- Maximum power: 245 hp.
- Maximum torque: 353 Nm.
- Acceleration: 6.3 sec (0-100 km/h)
- Starting price: €52,137
Antti’s reviews:
Overall rating in the Sports Cars category: 3.75 / 5.0
Kia Stinger is a model with a lot to offer. With a seven-year warranty, spacious interior and sporty looks and driveability in one package, it offers a tough challenge to the competition. The reason for this is the very competitive price, with all the equipment and features.
Car fever: the 39.5 degree car fever is raised by the Stinger’s excellent driveability. The smile is surprisingly responsive on winding roads. But remember, it’s “just a Kia”.
