The 2018 Kia Stinger
The extremely crowded midsize four-door sedan segment just got a new competitor, and it comes from, unusually, Korea. It’s no secret Kia has slowly evolved into one of the top manufacturers in the last decade or so. This once “cheap” alternative manufacturer is now a top contender, up there with Japan, America and Europe’s finest. Their latest edition to the lineup, dubbed the Stinger, is a four-door midsize sedan with a sporty twist. It’s aimed squarely at the likes of Audi’s A5 Sportback, BMW’s 4-Series Gran Coupe and even the new Alfa Romeo Giulia, but one has to wonder if this newcomer can compete with the already established line of rivals.
Exterior
Well, if looks are any indication, we’d say yes. Although the unmistakable Kia DNA is still there, there’s something extremely appealing and charismatic about the Stinger. The elongated hood with the sloping roofline gives it a sporty silhouette, and the chopped off rear end is just the proverbial cherry on top. There’s no two ways about it, this is a handsome brute. It’s not as elegant as the Giulia or as understated as the A5 Sportback, but then again, it’s not trying to be. It’s a bold design, something which evokes a response. If you told us Kia would be churning out something that looked like this just a few years ago, we’d have laughed and quickly dismissed the statement. They have though, and to say it’s gorgeous would be an understatement. The name isn’t too bad either: Stinger. It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?
Interior
The interior is pretty much brand-new as well. Long gone are outdated plastics and poor build quality, replaced with modern, expensive materials and superb fit and finish. This may sound weird, but the interior is somewhat reminiscent of a Jaguar XE or an XJ. We mean that in the best way possible. The design is wonderful and it seems to be loaded with technology. Naturally, it gets all the latest safety systems as well. Adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, driver attention assist… you name it.
Engines and Performance
Initially, you can choose between two different engines. The first is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 255 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It’s quick, but if you’re after performance, the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 is a much better choice. With 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque it’s a real powerhouse. Both engines get the silky smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s fast on upshifts without being clunky or rough around the edges. Rear-wheel drive in standard guise, it even gets a proper mechanical limited-slip differential, so it can, should you want it to, drift. You can specify an all-wheel drive system, in which case you’re getting a torque vectoring system instead. The adaptive suspension is a first for Kia as well. It’s comfortable with plenty of damping when cruising, but firm with a ton of feedback in the twisties.
Conclusion
If you want a sporty midsize sedan, you’re spoiled for choice. The fact that the new Stinger not only competes with the best from BMW, Audi and the like, but also manages to beat them at their own game, is a real pleasant surprise. Well done Kia, that’s all we can say.