KIA STINGER: 0-60 AND 9 OTHER REASONS IT WAS KIAS BEST SPORTS SEDAN EVER

The Kia Stinger was introduced for the 2018 model year, and it proved to be one of Kia's most exciting products. The Korean brand aimed to prove and convince customers that it could produce a high-performance sports sedan that would make people reconsider going for a similar offering from Audi, BMW, or Mercedes Benz. Below, we have listed ten reasons why the Stinger is the best sports sedan Kia has ever produced, and why it's all the more disappointing that it has been discontinued.

Quick Acceleration And Powerful Engines

A sports sedan needs to be quick, and the Kia Stinger is no exception. When equipped with the most powerful engine available - a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 - and all-wheel drive, the Stinger could reach 0-60 mph in approximately 4.6 seconds. With 368 horsepower, the Stinger V6 had no problem passing slower traffic, and the eight-speed automatic transmission was equipped with paddle shifters for a more engaging driving experience.

The smaller 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder model, available in the Stinger GT-Line models, also had good performance numbers. It reached 0-60 mph in approximately 5.2 seconds and pushed out 300 hp.

Entertaining Handling

Unlike the newer Kia K5, which has front-wheel drive as standard, the Stinger featured a classic sports sedan configuration. As standard, the Stinger was rear-wheel drive, while an optional all-wheel-drive model still featured a rear bias. This setup makes for a more balanced weight distribution front to rear, and leaves the front wheels with the sole job of turning the wheels in RWD models.

Complementing this was a sharp steering setup, a rigid strengthened chassis, and sports-oriented suspension. Various drive modes could also be selected to change the suspension, steering, and transmission settings. Although the Stinger didn't set new standards for sports sedans in general, it was still an impressive achievement alongside the economical city runabouts we were used to from Kia.

Stinger GT models also benefited from powerful Brembo brakes.

Sporty Styling

The Stinger's aerodynamic, sloping 'fastback' body style is one of the model's biggest selling points. Among cars available today, a four-door sedan with coupe styling gets plenty of attention and heads turned when spotted out on the road.

Adding to this, the Stinger GT2, being the top-spec, high-performance model also carried multiple styling features to emphasize its sporty character and style. Features such as 19-inch alloy wheels, quad oval exhaust pipes, a rear integrated diffuser, and various exterior vents were functional while also adding to the car's sporty demeanor. Even at the end of its life, the Stinger still had a fresh, sporty appearance.

Engineered By An Industry Giant

The Stinger was engineered with input from none other than Albert Biermann, former Vice President of Engineering of BMW's M Division.

Before transitioning to the Korean brand, Biermann oversaw the development of some of the most celebrated BMW M models of the modern enthusiast era. Examples of BMW M models that were designed with Biermann's input include the E39 M5, E46 M3, X5 M, and 1M Coupe.

Part of the reason for the Stinger's widely praised driving dynamics was due to the fact that development of the Stinger was overseen by Biermann, applying his years of experience at BMW. This was combined with some of the development; fine-tuning of the chassis and handling took place at none other than the Nürburgring Nordschleife. In other words, the M Division's home turf.

The Stinger Elevated Kia's Image

Prior to models like the Stinger, the Kia brand - and Korean-made cars in general - conjured up images of dull, uninspiring appliances that were functional, but little else. The idea that a Korean car could be a true BMW or Audi high-performance rival didn't seem possible.

Upon the release and praise for models like the Stinger, a whole new image was associated with Kia and its cousin, Hyundai (with the Genesis Coupe’s release). Korean cars became associated with attractive styling, powerful engines, and a driving experience that could rival offerings from Europe.

People now aspired to own a Korean car - not because it could get them plainly from point A to B, but because it could get them there in an exciting fashion.

Great V6 Soundtrack

Not only is the Stinger GT's 3.3L twin-turbocharged V6 powerful, but it also sounds good. This particular model features an active exhaust system onboard. Adjustable via the Drive Select Mode settings, the twin-turbocharged V6 could switch from a sedate, restrained exhaust note, to sounding far more aggressive and audible.

This further emphasized the Stinger's sporty character. While it carried the badge of a Korean brand associated with family crossovers and hatchbacks reserved for budget-conscious customers, the Stinger was to be taken seriously as a sports sedan - aiming to give German models in the same segment some decent competition.

Premium, Luxurious Interior

The Kia Stinger did not lack in interior equipment and amenities, coming very well equipped, even in the entry-level GT-Line spec. Compared to other models in the Kia range, the Stinger aimed to feel premium and upmarket from the start.

Equipment onboard the Stinger includes full leather upholstery (Nappa leather for the 2023 GT2), a flat-bottom steering wheel, heated front seats, a 15-speaker Harman/Kardon premium sound system (standard on the GT2), and dual-zone climate control. The majority of the Stinger's advanced driver-assistance equipment was standard, too, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and driver attention warning.

More Affordable Compared To Rivals

Compared to similar models in the same segment, the Kia Stinger is competitively priced and offers a lot of car for the money.

The base MSRP (excluding destination charges) for a Stinger GT-Line RWD starts at $36,690, with AWD increasing to $38,890. By comparison, a 2023 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe starts at a base MSRP of $45,900 for a 430i Gran Coupe, despite offering less power and fewer standard features than the Stinger. The V6 Stinger is also much cheaper than the equivalent M440i Gran Coupe.

Considering how many features and equipment come as standard on models as low as the GT-Line, the Stinger represents excellent value for money at this price range. Even among examples on the secondhand market, the Stinger remains highly attractive among those looking for an affordable performance sedan.

More Practical Than Conventional Sedans

The Stinger's fastback body and hatchback-like rear opening contribute to it being more practical than normal three-box sedans with the same footprint. The trunk has a capacity of 23.3 cubic feet, and the wide opening makes it easier to load larger items. With the rear seats folded, the available cargo space expands to over 40 cubic feet. A BMW 5 Series is a larger car but has less space in its trunk. Inside, there is a good amount of storage space for small items, including a large center console and well-sized door pockets. It all makes the Stinger easy to live with.

The Last Of Its Kind?

2023 is the last model year for the Kia Stinger - the car ended production in April 2023 amid slow demand and Kia's focus on electrified offerings and SUVs.

This makes the Kia Stinger very likely to be the last of its kind. As more brands move towards downsizing to smaller-displacement engines, the Stinger is the last opportunity to enjoy a practical Kia sedan with a large V6 engine, without any hybrid or electric assistance.

This is already evident within Kia's current lineup for the 2024 model year. The newer Kia K5 makes a decent 290 hp in GT guise, but that output is way down on the Stinger V6, and the K5's four-cylinder engine doesn't sound nearly as good.

2024-05-31T08:11:33Z dg43tfdfdgfd