KIA Stinger

The cabin of the Kia Stinger is not something which looks extravagant or futuristic, but with its top-notch quality levels and premium looking elements and features, it definitely has got swagger of a sports car’s cabin.

The three-spoke flat-bottom multi-functional steering wheel is something which we have already witnessed in some of the other Kia offerings, and while the layout of the instrument console looks quite simple, it has a super-comprehensive 7-inch MID screen in the middle. The contoured theme for the middle layer of the dashboard has a mount for the free-standing trapezoidal infotainment system at the top.

On the face of it, this layer of the dashboard has three round propeller-like AC vents and a sleek hexagonal panel of buttons for the audio system, which is finished in silver theme and their edges make way for a sleek running lining on either sides. There is a small rounded rectangular panel for the dual-zone automatic climate control too. The center tunnel between the front seats accommodates transmission lever, drive mode selector and a covered small compartment for storing of small things. 

With premium features like leather upholstery, 13-speaker Harman Kardon music system, wireless charging and powered front seats with memory function for driver’s seat, the Kia Stinger is heavily equipped as well. For a grand tourer, the Kia Stinger has enough space for four at the best.

While this current iteration of the Kia Stinger has been in the market for quite some time now, the sports saloon still makes a strong case for itself, thanks to its timeless coupe-like styling. There are a number of design elements which makes sure that the Kia Stinger still outruns a number of cars priced even above of it in terms of sheer visual appeal.

The front profile of the Kia Stinger has got the trademark tiger-nose grille, which gets a diamond-studded pattern on its inside and chrome bordering around it. The curvy looking headlamps, with their smoked effect and incorporation of dual LED projectors and ice-cube shaped daytime running LEDs, look really distinctive. Adding more visual drama here are the vertical air inlets with a glossy black finish on the corners of the front bumper as well as satin chrome finish in the lower grille on the front bumper.

The side profile of the Kia Stinger amazes with its rounded roofline, which flows smoothly towards the boot just like in a traditional GT fastback. The door-mounted rearview mirrors, broad C-pillar, diamond-cut 19-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome finish on the edge of the front door work together to give the Stinger a spectacular sporty stance. The upper window line is finished in chrome, which flows towards the rear and merges with the sides of the rear windshield. 

At the back, the Kia Stinger has got a unique layout with its off-beat looking LED tail lamps, which do get horizontal kinks towards their outer edges extending towards the rear fenders. These tail lamps are joined to each other with a long swooping light bar in the middle, above which is there a boot lid-integrated spoiler.

The Kia Stinger has been tuned to perform like a fast sports car, and so it gets a stiffly sprung suspension setup of Macpherson struts with stabilizer at the front and multi-link combination at the rear. The suspension here gets the assistance of electronically controlled damping force, dynamic torque vectoring system, five different drive modes to choose from and a limited-slip differential.

The sole powertrain combination which has been employed for the Philippines-spec Kia Stinger is the 3.3-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine, in its best state of performance, pumps out a maximum power output of 370 PS and a peak torque output of 510 Nm.

The Kia Stinger is heavily loaded with premium safety features like front, side, curtain and knee airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, hill start assist, front and rear parking sensors, reverse camera, tire pressure monitoring system, auto cruise control and blind spot detection system.

Being one of the most underrated names in the circuit of performance cars, the Kia Stinger deserves plenty of praises for its dramatic styling, premium appeal on the inside and the thrills it offers when one floors the pedal down.