October 21 will go down in the history of the Korean brand, as the date on which this Hyundai Group brand launched the first "attack" on German sports saloons. From the east comes the new Kia Stinger, a model that has many qualities to assert itself. From the West, the German references, namely the Audi A5 Sportback, the Volkswagen Arteon or the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé.
After more extensive contact with the Kia Stinger, I can say with certainty that the new Kia Stinger is not just “fire of sight”. The war promises to be fierce!
Kia has studied very well the lesson and the opponents that in recent years have “grabbed” the segment. Without fear and with great conviction, he launched a model that not only turns heads, but also provokes desires in those who drive it. Also because, as Guilherme wrote, sometimes driving is the best medicine.
After the brief contact on the roads of the Douro region − which you will remember here − now we had time to test it in wider use. We did it with the 200 hp 2.2 CRDi engine that quickly handles the +1700 kg of weight of the set.
Despite being a diesel engine, it manages to awaken in us the desire to drive, and drive, and drive… remember Duracell batteries? And they last, they last, they last…
The details make the difference
In order to compete with the models mentioned above, Kia had to be careful. When we entered we were more than “one meter” away from the pedals and steering wheel.
Calm down… we press the start button and the steering wheel and seat are adjusted to our driving position, which can be saved in the two available memories. Meanwhile, we noticed the good workmanship and quality of materials inside. The entire ceiling and pillars are covered in cushioned velvet.
(...) there is an enormous effort to bring everything closer to the "Germanic touch"(...)
The skin of the electric seats, heated and ventilated at the front, reveals the care that the Hyundai Group brand has placed in the details.
The buttons and controls are pleasing, and there is a lot of work to be done to bring everything closer to the “Germanic touch”. The areas covered with leather, such as the dashboard and other compartments, in addition to other details, make us believe that we could be behind the wheel of a premium model. And speaking of premium, it's impossible to look at the center console's air vents and not immediately recall a model born in Stuttgart. Copying is said to be the best form of compliment... because here's a compliment.
Heated/ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, parking sensors, 360° cameras and start&stop system.
Wireless charger, 12v connection, AUX and USB, all illuminated.
Harman/Kardon sound system with 720 watts, 15 speakers and two subwoofers mounted under the driver and front passenger seats.
Rear ventilation as well as 12v and USB socket.
Heated rear seats.
Not even the key has been forgotten, and it is unlike all other Kia models, covered in leather.
Are there any upgradeable details? Of course yes. Some applications in plastic imitating aluminum clash in an interior that is characterized by a good overall appearance.
And driving?
We have already talked several times about Albert Biermann, the former head of M Performance who for more than 30 years worked at BMW. This Kia Stinger also had its "touch".
The Diesel engine is woken up and there are no big surprises, in the cold start it is quite noisy, acquiring a smoother work after reaching the normal operating temperature. In Sport mode, it lets itself be heard with another setting… without being a particularly motivating sound, but it should be noted that the Stinger is equipped with double glazing and windscreen with soundproofing for superior insulation.
In the driving chapter, and as we've already mentioned, the Stinger is exciting. That's why we made several roads, taking advantage of the driving modes it has to offer.
In addition to the usual driving modes there is a… “Smart”. Smart? That's right. In Smart mode the Kia Stinger automatically adapts steering, engine, gearbox and engine sound parameters depending on driving. It could be the ideal way for everyday life.
Eco and Comfort modes favor, as the names indicate, economy and comfort, with smooth responses to the accelerator and gearshift. Here the Stinger is capable of consumption of around seven liters and a notorious comfort where the unmanned suspension, (the piloted is only available in the V6, arriving later in this 2.2 CRDI), has a correct tuning and filters out irregularities well without cause discomfort. The 18″ wheels, standard without option, do not detract from this aspect either.
Driving modes: Smart, Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport+
Calm, 9.5 l/100 km with good rhythms, on mountain roads and with some drifts in between.
It's the Kia Stinger's most exciting mode, Sport+.
Leather steering wheel with radio, telephone and cruise control controls.
Sport and Sport modes +… was this where you wanted to get? Despite the 4.8 meters long and over 1700 kg, we went to a mountain road. Without being a real sports car, which it doesn't intend to be, in Sport mode the Kia Stinger challenges us. The curves and counter-curves are described with some indifference and always without losing posture. The directional stability is very good and invites us to pick up the pace without even realizing that this is the brand's first model with rear-wheel drive.
Not being a reference, the Kia Stinger dynamically surprises and excites, guaranteeing driving pleasure.
I switch to Sport + mode, it's here that with the pace and enthusiasm that I've been taking, I start to feel the rear sliding, even before a “patlash” and a small steering wheel correction. Here the demand increases, and if Kia didn't forget the standard steering wheel paddles this time, everything would be so much more perfect if they were fixed to the steering column... it's best done, but it doesn't deserve criticism, nor does it take away the pleasure of driving the Stinger. Complies.
Drift? Yes, it is possible . Traction and stability control is fully switchable, so drifting with the Stinger is not only possible, it is also done in a controlled manner due to the high weight and enormous wheelbase. All that's missing is a limited-slip differential. The turbo V6 with 370 hp will arrive, but it has all-wheel drive. The charm is lost in the name of effectiveness.
Not everything is good...
It's in the infotainment system that Stinger can't even get close to the Germans. The 8″ touchscreen works quickly and intuitively, but the graphics are old-fashioned and a console command is needed. On the other hand, the information we get from the on-board computer display is limited. There is a lack of information regarding multimedia and telephone. Also the useful head-up display could already provide more information, but it comes standard.
Two Options
This is where South Korea destroys the Germans. The Stinger has two options, metallic paint and panoramic sunroof. Everything else, which you can see in the equipment list and which is a lot, is standard. Free of charge. For free. Free… ok more or less.50,000 euros for a Kia?
And why not? Believe me, I could be behind the wheel of any premium brand car. So, let go of prejudices… The Kia Stinger is everything a car and driving enthusiast can ask for. Okay, at least at a certain stage of life, as is my case… Space, comfort, equipment, power and an exhilarating drive that makes me pick up the car just for the sake of it, and not just to get around.
