Test Car Specifications
Model tested: Kia Stinger 3.3 T-GDi V6 GT S
Pricing: £45,210
Engine: 3.3-litre turbocharged V6 petrol
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Body style: five-door, five-seat fastback
CO2 emissions: 229g/km
Combined economy: 28mpg
Top speed: 167mph
0-62mph: 4.7 seconds
Power: 366hp
Torque: 510Nm
Boot space: 406 litres
Styling
The Stinger is quite a departure for Kia – a brand that has made its name with safe and reliable hatchbacks and SUVs. Here, though, is a svelte fastback with premium aspirations and more than a little bit of muscle. It’s a beefy-looking thing, but it’s a stylish one, too. Take off the Kia badges and you’d be certain it was a premium car to rival the Audi A5 Sportback. It’s a good-looking thing, and it’ll be a pity when that design is no longer part of the Kia range.
Interior
Kia has come a long way in the 30-or-so years since it arrived in the UK, and the Stinger is evidence of that. Here is a cabin befitting premium models – indeed it shares plenty with the more upmarket Genesis G70 – thanks to its upmarket materials and the clean, modern design. A few features, including the analogue instrument display, are feeling their age a little, but generally speaking it feels quite smart, not to mention beautifully put together. Technology is, perhaps, the only real Achilles heel, with the touchscreen infotainment system feeling a bit dated alongside systems from Audi and BMW. That said, it works perfectly well and it’s easy to use, which already puts it ahead of some other brands’ efforts.
Practicality
The five-door Stinger isn't the most practical thing on the market, but it does enough to compete with its German rivals. The space in the front is plentiful, and legroom is good in the rear, but headroom will be an issue for taller passengers thanks to that swooping roofline. The 406-litre boot, meanwhile, sounds more than big enough and it will certainly do for most customers, but you will get more space from a BMW or an Audi.
Performance
The Stinger is only available in GT S form, and that means you get a rip-roaring 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine as standard. It sounds menacing, and the 366hp output means it can certainly give you a healthy kick in the backside. However, with all the power headed for the rear wheels via a slightly slushy eight-speed automatic gearbox, the 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds is solid, rather than spectacular. Fuel economy is predictably scary, although around 28 or 29mpg is easily achievable on a run, and that's where the Stinger's powertrain feels at its most accomplished. Around town, the gearbox feels hesitant, leading to more boisterous use of the throttle, which results in wheelspin from the rear of the car. It's an engine that commands respect.
Ride & Handling
With that monster of an engine up front and the power heading solely to the rear wheels, the Stinger can be something of a handful. It feels muscular and meaty, which gives it this glorious old-school charm, but it’s unquestionably lairy on a greasy road. A BMW M440i Gran Coupe will be considerably more precise – it’s certainly the car we’d choose if we wanted to set lap records – but that doesn’t mean the Stinger can’t still be fun. It’s certainly more exciting than an Audi S5 Sportback. Sure, the steering isn’t as feelsome as that of the BMW, it isn’t as comfortable at low speeds and it can’t put the power down as effectively, but that doesn’t really matter. It’s more joyful than the BMW or the Audi, and that counts for quite a lot in our book.
Value
Stinger prices start at just over £45,000, which is roughly what you'd pay for a mid-range Audi A5 Sportback or a basic BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. But whereas those cars come with piddling 2.0-litre engines, the Stinger comes with the 3.3-litre V6 as standard and all the features you expect from a premium fastback. Nappa leather upholstery, a power-operated tailgate and a 360-degree manoeuvring camera come as standard, along with wireless phone charging, a Harman/Kardon sound system and heated and ventilated front seats. You even get a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration tech.
Verdict
The Stinger has never had the badge appeal of rivals such as the Audi S5 Sportback or the BMW M440i Gran Coupe, which has left it somewhat overlooked. With only the 3.3-litre engine on offer, its appeal is somewhat limited, but it's still a firecracker of a car with a classy cabin and a competitive price tag. It might be a left-field choice, but it's a great choice nonetheless. We'll be sad to see it go.
