An automaker once better known for delivering
front-wheel-drive econo-boxes now boasts a track-worthy alternative.
In
the 2018 model year, South Korean automaker Kia welcomes aboard the all-new Stinger,
a vehicle garnering second glances and quickly taking its rightful place as the
brand's aspirational choice.
As one of three finalists for
the 2018 North American Car of the Year this past January, Stinger found itself
in competition with two established, but rather pedestrian, high-volume sedans,
Toyota's Camry and Honda's Accord. No shortage of 'Car of the Year'
awards exist on and off line, but this 'NACOTY' distinction announced each
January at the Detroit Auto Show is one the industry follows closely and
carries significance on multiple levels.
While the
10th-generation Accord was crowned the eventual winner, Stinger stood apart not
just exhibiting the snappiest exterior silhouette, but with underpinnings
unexpected from Kia.
A quick tip-of-the-hat to Kia's
marketing arm for a naming choice conjuring up an active image rather than
settling for an alpha-numeric, hard-to-remember snoozer moniker.
Stinger
may exude a striking mid-size four-door exterior, but upon closer inspection,
actually incorporates a five-door hatchback. No conventional trunk, which
serves Stinger well as its no conventional Kia.
Stinger is
the production reality of the GT Concept vehicle Kia showboated during the
2011-2012 Auto Show circuit. The 2018-model year production version went on
sale to the public late in 2017.
Stinger is the first Kia
this scribe ever recalls testing within the closed-circuit confines of historic
Road America in Elkhart Lake Wisconsin during this past May's Midwest Automotive
Media Association spring rally. Stinger stayed planted during sharp turns
(thanks to dynamic torque vectoring), keeping pace with better established
stock nameplates tackling the track that day. While the top-speed of 180 was
never quite attained, time spent cruising above 100 mph was notable.
Stinger's
performance-oriented rear-wheel platform is a departure from Kia's long
established line of front-drive offerings. Underpinnings are borrowed
from parent company's Hyundai's luxury/performance upstart Genesis Division's
new mid-size rear-drive architecture.
While rear-drive and
a track-inspired platform are new to the brand, Kia returns with one
traditional aspect; its peace-of-mind 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty,
providing a bit more investment protection. It's one of the longest available
in the industry.
Under the long, smooth hood, two
turbocharged powertrain choices are available. Turbochargers run off of
recycled exhaust gases spinning a pinwheel-inspired turbine to pump concentrated
air into the engine. Turbocharging increases horsepower numbers
without undue weight while propping up fuel economy. Stinger opts for another
performance upgrade, twin-scroll turbocharging, reducing the hesitation or
'turbo lag' associated with a conventional single scroll system by utilizing a
more effective flow of exhaust gases through the four-stroke engine cycle.
A
2.0-liter turbocharged twin-scroll four-cylinder engine delivers 255 horsepower
and propels Stinger from zero to 60 miles per hour in a nifty 5.9 seconds. For
quicker head snaps, opt for 3.3-liter twin-turbo V-6 generating 365 horses and
a shaved zero-to-60 time of 4.7 seconds. Assuring quick stops, all
V-6 models include Brembo-branded disc brakes, encased within bright red
packaging and visible through artful wheel designs.
Both
engines mate with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and recommend
premium 91-octane fuel for ultimate results.
Five trim
levels include two featuring the four-cylinder engine (Base and Premium) with
three touting the V-6 (GT, GT1 and well-equipped GT2). While rear-drive comes
standard, all-wheel drive is optional in all five.
Kia
supplied a loaded-with-everything 'Hichroma Red' GT2 with all-wheel
drive. Pricing started at $51,400 and with a $900 destination charge
the bottom line ended at $52,300. The lowest-priced offering, a rear-drive Base
starts at $31,900. While a handsome sum for Kia's in general, Stinger positions
itself as a value proposition when compared with sportier-tuned luxury
offerings including the Lexus GS sedan and Audi S5 Sportback.
Our
V-6's long smooth hood includes narrow and rectangular high-gloss black vents
more artful than functional. Chrome trim adorns top window frames,
starting at the base of steeply-racked A-pillars and traveling to the bottom
corner of the stretched, 45-degree hatch window. Below the rear
bumper dueling dual exhausts with two pipes left of center, two right.
Stinger
carries forward with Kia's long and narrow 'tiger nose' grille. Four-cylinder
models include 18-inch tires standard with V-6 offerings opt for larger 19-inch
sizes.
Leather seating comes standard in all trims with GT2
upping the ante with a Premium Napa Leather variety. All five trims include
heated front seats while only GT2 adds a ventilated feature welcome on humid
and hot days.
While Stinger's mid-size dimensions frame it
as a five seater, the prominent, vertical floor transmission hump patrician row
two into a nice dual-seat area. Both riders enjoy their own air vents and most
trims include a row-two auxiliary port and 12-volt outlet.
A
multi-layered black dashboard includes a center step-down region where an
eight-inch flat-panel, multi-function touch screen elevates above past the top
portion. Below the screen, three circular air vents trimmed in
brush-aluminum contrasting with square-shaped vents at the dashboard's outer
edges.
Drop below the circular vents to find a
long, narrow clutch of sound system touch buttons flanked by scroll dials
working in tandem with the four-color touch screen.
Dual-zone
temperature controls come standard across the board, deep set within the dash
below the narrow sound/entertainment complex. Decent-sized tactile dials at
each end monitor each side's temperature while two rows of well iconized push
buttons handle fan speed, recirculation, direction and front/rear
defroster.
Bluetooth wireless
technology comes standard, as do Apple Carplay and Android Auto, allowing
seamless interaction with cell phones through the flat center screen. Auxiliary
and iPod plug ports reside at the center column's bottom, just ahead of the
automatic transmission shifter, the electronic parking brake and a dial
summoning five drive modes (eco, sport, smart, custom and comfort).
The
easy-read, simplistic, three-dimensional instrument panel features two large,
circular analog gauges (left-side tachometer, right-side speedometer) with
white backlighting and hot red needles. Smaller, circular inserts along the
bottom of each orb monitor temperature and fuel-level respectively. A digital,
multi-panel message window in between rounds is monitored via a steering wheel
push button.
Our GT2 tester included backrest air bladders
and width adjusting bolsters for the comfort of drivers. Chrome-type side-view
mirrors in turbo models contrast nicely with body-colored strap-like handles,
and incorporate puddle lights, illuminating the pavement at night when front
doors swing open.
Radar-enhanced cruise control comes
standard only in GT2 and optional in all other trims. This handy
autonomous-ish technology automatically speeds and slows Stinger's highway
travel based on the distance of the vehicle ahead. All three V-6 trims include
aluminum-enhanced brake and accelerator pedals.
2018 Kia
Stinger
Price as tested: $52,300
Engine:
3.3-liter twin turbo V-6
Wheelbase: 114.4 inches
Overall
Length: 190.2 inches
Overall Height: 55.1 inches
Overall
Width: 73.6 inches
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg city, 25 mpg
highway
Curb weight: 3,829 pounds
Powertrain
Warranty: 10-year/100,000
Assembly: South Korea
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