Embedded Files
"HOLY S*&%!!!"
"HOLY S*&%!!!"
As Kia is doing their best to be the more luxury-oriented brand of Hyundai Motor Group, they have decided to take the stunning 2011 GT Concept and turn it into a BMW-fighting sport sedan, and it is truly nothing less than excellent.
Trim Levels
Trim Levels
Trim levels and pricing only apply to 2020 model year Stinger.
GT-Line
GT-Line
MSRP $33,090
(AWD +$2,200)MSRP $33,090
GT
GT
MSRP $39,500
(AWD +$2,200)MSRP $39,500
GT1
GT1
MSRP $45,400
(AWD +$2,200)MSRP $45,400
GT2
GT2
MSRP $50,300
(AWD +$2,200)MSRP $50,300
Exterior Design
Exterior Design
Peter Schreyer's work at Volkswagen really shows how drop-dead gorgeous the Stinger is. Not to mention he's also designed other cars like the popular Sportage and Tucson small SUVs, the Cadenza midsize luxury sedan, and the stunning new Mercedes S-Class competing Genesis G90. The front end design backs its strong performance character. LED headlights come standard on the 2.0 Premium trims and above, as well as the fighter squadron-like LED turn signals. The openings on the front fenders are functional (!), and the lower grille gains two shark fins. Much of the bright work in the photos is all black chrome. But, there are fake vents on the hood, but I'll give it a pass.
The Stinger stings hard in its side view. It is a pure fastback and it has gorgeous flowing lines, and optional 19-inch alloy rims. GT models get four-piston Brembo brakes all around. The vent just in front of the door is functional, which truthfully is a major surprise. The Stinger doesn't really have any styling elements that don't belong, but because it has a sloped roofline, taller occupants might not like the rear headroom.
I wouldn't mind seeing the rear of the Stinger any time of any day. Quad-tipped exhausts are standard (!) on EVERY model. Controversy has spread with the ugly rear reflectors, but I don't have a single issue with how they are placed, and it gives the impression of sleekness and an aerodynamic shape. LED taillights are standard, and the squadron-like turn signals also continue in the back.
Interior Design
Interior Design
Kia did one hell of a job making this cockpit look super luxurious. The Stinger has a clean, classy, and minimalist look at its finest. The 8-inch UVO infotainment system is the best infotainment system in the entire auto industry. It is smooth, logically laid out, and very easy to use with hard buttons for all the sections you need. Quality is also great, as there is soft-touch materials everywhere you'd expect it, and even the hard-touch plastics feel durable and high-quality. Kia even went as far as to make the hard buttons feel super high-quality. But that's not all. They went two miles extra and even made sure the feel and sound they made when you press them was pure quality.
The front seats are super comfortable, as in normal Kia fashion, and come standard with heated seating, and leather seats even come standard on the base 2.0 model. That's a great value for $32,000. Cooled seats don't actually come until the GT1 trims, would be a nice feature to have on lower models, and would make a very strong proposition on the base 2.0 model. Rear seats are also equally as comfortable, but the sloped roofline does cut into headroom. With me being six-three, I found it quite roomy, but I had very little head room to spare.
A 12-way power driver seat with 4-way lumbar support comes standard, but pay up if you want 4 more. The 16-way seats only come on the GT2 model. The passenger also gets an 8-way power seat with only 2-way lumbar support standard, where as the top-spec GT2 gets 4-way. The rear seats don't recline, but they are comfortable enough for the long journeys ahead. They also fold down 60/40 so you can carry more of your stuff. The outer seats sit significantly lower than the center seat, giving the impression that the car "hugs" you when the track is your current location.
Safety & Technology
Safety & Technology
Kia does NOT back down on safety. That's why every Stinger has an Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) frame in areas of the chassis to enhance safety and general overall crash safety. Collision Alert is available. Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection are available. High Beam Assist is also available for GT1 and GT2 trims. Low Beam Assist (curve-adaptive headlights) is also available, but only for the top-spec GT2 trim.
The Kia Stinger has been evaluated of its crashworthiness by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Stinger earns Good ratings across the board, including Good ratings for two of the four headlight combinations, earning the Top Safety Pick+ accolade. They are also available as standard equipment or part of a package on every trim. I'd highly suggest optioning the Sun & Sound Package if you're buying only the 2.0L trim, because the base halogen projectors are rated poorly with visibility. For more on the safety ratings, click the following link here.
Driving Impressions
Driving Impressions
I was able to drive the Stinger GT about a year after I reviewed it!
The Stinger is very obviously a sport sedan, as the GT has a firm ride, sharp and heavy steering, and a monstrous engine. The 3.3L twin-turbo V6 is the fastest car I've driven, and its launch is scary as heck, even causing me to think I was going "warp speed". It accelerates like a scolded cat, and has absolutely relentless pulling power down low or up high. The in-house designed 8-speed automatic is calibrated well, and its very smooth shifting between the gears. Suspension is very firm, and can be uncomfortable when hitting potholes at low speeds, but the firm suspension makes for absolutely great handling. Steering feel is heavy, but it doesn't require a lot of effort to turn. There's no body roll in the Stinger when you haul it around corners. The steering is sharp and precise, and even the smallest of movements get communicated to the front wheels. The Stinger is a total monster, and it definitely shoots itself ahead of the established players from Germany.
Performance
Performance
The Stinger has a base 2.0L turbocharged inline-4, but GT trim levels get the 3.3L twin-turbo V6. Both engines are mated to a slick and smooth 8-speed automatic designed in-house by Kia.
Performance Figures
Performance Figures
3.3L twin-turbo V6
Horsepower (hp @ RPM)
365 @ 6000
365 @ 6000
Torque (lb/ft @ RPM)
376 @ 1300-4500
376 @ 1300-4500
Transmission(s)
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel Drive or All-wheel Drive
Rear-wheel Drive or All-wheel Drive
EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy)
17 / 25
17 / 25
0-60 Time
4.7 seconds
4.7 seconds
1/4-mile (sec @ mph)
12.9 @ 111
12.9 @ 111
Final Verdict & REVIEWS Score
Final Verdict & REVIEWS Score
The Stinger is an absolutely well-made luxury sport sedan from a manufacturer that can sell you a new Rio sedan for $16,000.
The Stinger is an absolutely well-made luxury sport sedan from a manufacturer that can sell you a new Rio sedan for $16,000.
75/85 | Accumulated Score
75/85 | Accumulated Score
09 | Reliability
09 | Reliability
07 | Ergonomics
07 | Ergonomics
10 | Value
10 | Value
08 | Innovation
08 | Innovation
06 | Electronics
06 | Electronics
10 | Wow factor
10 | Wow factor
10 | Safety
10 | Safety
60/70 | Subtotal Score
60/70 | Subtotal Score
15/15 | Subjective Category
15/15 | Subjective Category
Media
Media
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Coming soon.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse