- Messages
- 328
- Reactions
- 32
- State
- Non-US
- Country
- South Korea
We Like: Stunning design, stirring performance, strong value
We Don't Like: Porpoises a bit, noisy over rough roads, interior doesn't match snazzy exterior
Kia's Stinger was one of six all-new contenders for COTY this year, and other than the Model 3, it was the most anticipated. Since the Stinger's debut at the 2017 North American International Auto Show, Kia has been pretty mouthy about how its four-door coupe would lay wurst to the brats from Audi and BMW. Does it live up the hype? Oh ja.
"The Europeans better watch out because for a first effort at building a BMW beater, the Kia Stinger is impressively accomplished," MacKenzie noted. Markus seemed to agree in his notes: "As grand touring conveyances go, this one ranks pretty highly in terms of grace, space, and pace. Korea is delivering German grand-touring performance at a substantial discount. High marks."
Opinions split on the performance of the turbo-four Stinger and twin-turbo V-6 GT. Some preferred the tactile handling of the less nose-heavy base model over the faster and power-slidable but heavier GT. Knocks? A few judges had issues with the lack of premiumness of the interior, especially when compared against the widely praised stance, surfacing, and overall design of the exterior. Rough, uneven roads also brought out complaints of pitching, porpoising, and road noise.
Read more on Motor Trend.
