Kia Stinger
Update Fuel thirst takes shine off executive car
AS temperatures soar this summer, it’s not just me who has been feeling thirsty more often; our Kia Stinger has been making frequent trips to the pumps.
Thanks to its hefty kerbweight and time spent battling through London’s congested streets, the Stinger has been returning lessthan-impressive fuel economy. Over the past few hundred miles it’s been achieving around 32mpg on average, but I’ve seen that figure drop into the teens when driving to and from our office in the centre of the capital.
I knew fuel economy was never going to be a strength of the Stinger, but had been expecting a little better from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo. Yet while the 244bhp engine packs plenty of punch, the level of performance on offer doesn’t really match the efficiency figures.
Still, the Stinger remains a relaxing, comfortable and very easy car to get along with. I’m mostly impressed by the interior; perceived quality isn’t quite up there with some of the class-leading German executive models, but some car companies could learn a lot from Kia when it comes to interior design.
Everything is so logically laid out and simple to use, and while the infotainment system isn’t the most hi-tech, it’s super responsive and can be configured to display whatever information you want. The only small niggle so far appears to be a faint rattle coming from the sunroof when driving over particularly rutted stretches of road. And unlike the welcome chime that strikes every time you start the car’s engine, this is one irritating noise we might not be able to get rid of.
Verdict
UNEXPECTED refuelling stops, and the added cost they bring, have taken the shine off the Stinger slightly. The poor fuel economy comes with its life in central London, but as a stylish and comfortable exec the big Kia is still hitting all the right notes.