Kia Stinger 2.0 T-GDI
Verdict on four-cylinder petrol version of five-door exec
THE rise of the Kia brand has been well documented over the past decade. Its superminis and small cars have gone from strength to strength over that period, while the SUV range now comprises five models.
However, it’s the Stinger that represents the most significant piece in the company’s ever-expanding puzzle. The halo model launched last year with a powerful 3.3-litre V6 engine, but only now are the more modest four-cylinder versions starting to arrive in showrooms.
We’ve already tried the 2.2 CRDI diesel (Issue 1,496), but with customer attitudes changing, Kia has high hopes that the turbo petrol version you see here could do well. In Gt-line spec it’s the most affordable Stinger on sale, too, with prices starting from £31,995.
For that, you get a kit list long enough to make BMW and Audi drivers wince. Almost everything you’d want is included – from the 18-inch wheels to the eight-inch touchscreen sat-nav and electrically-operated driver’s seat. In fact, the only thing that might leave you disappointed is the slightly rudimentary halogen headlamps; LEDS come as standard on Gt-line S cars.
The 244bhp 2.0 T-GDI model isn’t slow, either. It will sprint from 0-62mph in six seconds flat and hit 149mph at the top end. The power delivery doesn’t feel as urgent as in rivals such as the BMW 420i and Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI, but as the revs build, you’ll find yourself pushing on faster than you might expect.
Everything we love about the flagship Stinger’s handling rings true in this model. The sharp rear-wheel-drive chassis and precise steering are unaffected, and the gearbox shifts quickly and smoothly, too. The way the head-up display switches from conventional type to italics when you place the car in Sport mode is a bit gimmicky, but if that bothers you, it’s simple to switch off.
The Stinger also rides well, despite the fact it’s not available with adaptive dampers. Thanks in part to the smaller 18-inch wheels, the car never crashes over potholes, plus refinement is excellent at high speed. And while
you don’t get the same sense of quality inside as you might in a 4 Series or Mercedes C-class, the Stinger’s cabin still feels well screwed together.
The leather is suitably sumptuous, although the seats themselves lack support for longer journeys; after 200 miles behind the wheel, we walked away with a mild ache in our lower back. Still, the infotainment system is logical, as is the placement of the switchgear.
While that coupé shape means the Stinger has more road presence than a conventional saloon, space in the back is affected. Headroom is limited for taller adults, while our car’s black interior meant it felt very dark in the back. The seats fold 60:40, though, which helps when loading longer items in the boot.
Perhaps this Stinger’s biggest issue is running costs. Diesel might be falling out of favour, but there’s no avoiding the fact that Kia’s 2.2-litre CRDI is much more economical for high-mileage drivers. We managed a respectable 34mpg during our time with the petrol model, but a diesel in the same trim level should return more than 50mpg in mixed motoring.