The new Kia Stinger sees a paradigm shift from old Kia sedans to a modern and supremely powerful luxury vehicle. This car is not for the faint-hearted as can be seen from the performance figures of the Stinger, especially if you consider the GT trim. The numbers are sure to surprise you – but not quite as much as the modest price tag.
The Stinger has a wonderfully sculpted design, fastback proportions and comfortable, roomy interiors. The engine is very smooth, powerful and the drive is spirited. With refined power and a fine balance between design and comfort, the Stinger has an imposing presence and stands out from the crowd.
Striking a perfect balance between power and refinement, Kia’s engineers have done an exceptional job in taking on the likes of Audi, BMW – and even Mercedes-Benz. The result of this is a finely tuned Stinger with a perfect blend of comfort, aggressive styling and impressive power in it’s class.
The Genesis G70 is the latest car to roll out from the stables of Hyundai’s luxury brand – Genesis. Buyers get the option of a 2.0 liter turbo four cylinder or a twin turbo 3.3 liter V6 engine. This South Korean new-comer is packed with luxurious materials and several much-wanted features – standard.
As for the 2019 Genesis G70 and 2018 Kia Stinger GT, they both share the same platform, same drivetrains and same output! Well, it does appear the Genesis may have been given a touch more power – but they’re still extremely similar. So let’s see how we compare such similar cars.
Exteriors
The Stinger shares some of its dimensions with the Kia Optima – but is positioned above the latter due to its greater power, more sophisticated suspension, better platform and a more sleek and modern design – thanks to the chiefs Gregory Guillaume and Peter Schreyer.
The Stinger possesses a lovely fastback silhouette along with spot on proportions. At the front is Kia’s trademark ‘tiger nose’ grille that catches the attention of any onlooker and is smartly flanked by headlights that run over to the body work. Along with vertical side vents, the large central air dam adds much needed substance to the face of the car. The air vents at the side are surprisingly functional, marrying practicality and good looks.
The G70 is unabashedly athletic as luxury styling reeks from every corner of the vehicle. Genesis is a luxury brand and has left no stone unturned in styling this as luxuriously as possible. It’s a little lower and wider than most but looks handsome nevertheless. Some say it’s a copy of the Infiniti Q50 – it does have similarities. We compare the Stinger to the Q50 HERE.
Interiors
The interiors of the Stinger are comfortable and refined with an 8.0 inch touchscreen available standard. It’s also loaded with the latest driver aid tech features expected in a luxury car – like automated braking, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. For music enthusiasts, you can get a 15 speaker Harman Kardon audio system as well. The interior marries a combination of classic and contemporary design, realizing the evolution of Gran Turismo and bringing it right to the doors of modern buyers. Considering such amazing features, it would be wise for all buyers to at least take a look at the Stinger before moving on to more expensive options.
Genesis has deployed high quality materials everywhere inside the G70. Despite this, the cabin is not ultra gorgeous and yet is not bland enough to make it dull. Most people feel it lies somewhere in between. Then again, the G70 isn’t one of Genesis’ more luxury-focused options. Those duties go to the G80, and even more so, the G90…
Engine & Performance
The base trim of the Stinger comes with a turbo 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder engine generating 255 horsepower, while the top of the line Stinger GT comes with a twin turbo 3.3 liter V6 pumping out 365 horsepower. Both engines are mated to an eight speed automatic transmission and have the option of rear or all wheel drive.
While Genesis G70 shares exactly the same engines as the Stinger with 6 speed manual and 8 speed automatic transmission, when you drive both the cars on winding mountain road, you notice differences in character. The Stinger GT is bigger and heavier and drives as per its size and weight, which means its reflexes aren’t as sharp as the G70’s. However, the Stinger is by no means a sloppy car. On the contrary, it handles quite well for its size and manages to not feel like a lumbering behemoth. It’s a GT – Grand Tourer after all – focusing mainly on comfortable cruising.
Steering feel is MUCH improved on both the Stinger GT and the G70 compared to previous vehicles from Kia and Genesis. They’re both major improvements – but not the same. The Stinger GT offers precise steering, but it’s lighter and a little more isolated, especially outside of Sport mode—giving it the feel of a proper long-distance GT car. Put it in Sport mode, and it does add weight to the feel – but not to the point that it’s overly heavy or extremely touchy. The G70’s steering, on the other hand, is quicker, more precise, and has superior weighting in Sport mode than the Stinger GT. It also reacts quicker to your inputs, which is especially helpful when you’re having a good time on winding roads.
Conclusion
While both these cars have the same platform, engine and power, they’re quite different to drive around. If one is looking for a luxury sedan with fun handling, the Genesis G70 is the ideal choice. However, If one is in need of precise handling, a muscular body and large cargo space, the Stinger GT is the best bet.
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