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The South Korean automaker have taken a significant step with the Kia Stinger. The GT Trim boasts a 365 horsepower V6 engine that sends power to all the wheels and also adds refined and plush interior, enough to take on its German rivals. Price for the 2018 Kia Stinger starts at $31,900.
When thinking about Kia as a brand, what comes to most of our minds is an inexpensive and affordable car maker. But then, it isn't just an economy car maker as it has a lot more depth to the brand. This time, Kia has got something really special for its buyers and it is surely going to excite us all. It is the 2018 Kia Stinger.
The Stinger is an all-new luxury sports sedan from the Korean manufacturer, which is very well-equipped right from its basic variants. The base comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine while the GT trims get a zesty turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine. An eight-speed automatic transmission along with a rear-wheel drive is standard while an all-wheel drive comes as optional for all trims.
The Base variant of the Stinger is a value for money affair with a lot of pre-loaded features and a high-performance engine. But if you want more power under the hood to go with the GT trim that gets a powerful 3.3-liter turbocharged V-6 engine producing a whopping 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. It also gets enough additional feature over the base and the Premium trim, so you would not be left wanting for more.
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The South Korean automaker have taken a significant step with the Kia Stinger. The GT Trim boasts a 365 horsepower V6 engine that sends power to all the wheels and also adds refined and plush interior, enough to take on its German rivals. Price for the 2018 Kia Stinger starts at $31,900.
When thinking about Kia as a brand, what comes to most of our minds is an inexpensive and affordable car maker. But then, it isn't just an economy car maker as it has a lot more depth to the brand. This time, Kia has got something really special for its buyers and it is surely going to excite us all. It is the 2018 Kia Stinger.
The Stinger is an all-new luxury sports sedan from the Korean manufacturer, which is very well-equipped right from its basic variants. The base comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine while the GT trims get a zesty turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine. An eight-speed automatic transmission along with a rear-wheel drive is standard while an all-wheel drive comes as optional for all trims.
The 2018 Kia Stinger is a four-door sedan with seating for five. There are five trims to choose from that include Base, Premium, GT, GT1, and GT2. The base Stinger is well equipped but the GT trim adds more luxury along with techs and features. Kia has offered two engine options to choose from. The base and the Premium trims are mated to a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. All the three GT trims meanwhile employ a turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine.
Trims |
Stinger (Base) |
Premium |
GT |
GT1 |
GT2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$32,800 |
$37,100 |
$38,350 |
$43,250 |
$49,200 |
Key Features |
7-inch Infotainment system with 6-speaker audio |
In addition to features of Stinger (Base): |
In addition to features of Premium: |
In addition to features of GT: |
In addition to features of GT1: |
Leather Upholstery |
8-inch Infotainment system |
19-inch Alloy wheels |
Auto Dimming Mirrors |
Limited-slip differential |
|
Heated Front seats |
15-speaker Harman Kardon Sound system |
Adaptive Suspension |
Performance monitors |
Head-up Display |
|
Power-folding Heated Exterior mirrors |
Moonroof |
Flat-bottom steering |
Ventilated Front Seats |
||
Rearview Camera |
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The Base variant of the Stinger is a value for money affair with a lot of pre-loaded features and a high-performance engine. But if you want more power under the hood to go with the GT trim that gets a powerful 3.3-liter turbocharged V-6 engine producing a whopping 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. It also gets enough additional features over the base and the Premium trim, so you would not be left wanting more.
The base engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that churns out 255 horsepower and 260-pound-feet of torque. It feels sluggish when compared to the GT powertrain that gets a prodigious turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine but still has enough grunt to match up with the competition.
The V6 checks in with 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed transmission meanwhile is standard across all trims that shifts quickly and in engaging.
Models |
Kia Stinger |
Lexus RC 300 |
Mercedes-Benz C300 |
BMW 430i Coupe |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$32,800 |
$41,635 |
$44,195 |
$44,495 |
Engine |
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 |
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 |
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 |
2.0L Twin-Power Turbocharged Inline-4 |
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
8-Speed Automatic w/OD |
9-Speed Automatic |
8-Speed Automatic |
Power |
255 hp @ 6,200 rpm |
241 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
241 hp @ 5,550 rpm |
248 hp @ 5,200 rpm |
Torque |
260 lb-ft @ 1,400 rpm |
258 lb-ft @ 1,650 rpm |
273 lb-ft @ 1,300 rpm |
258 lb-ft @ 1,450 rpm |
The Stinger not only has the lowest asking price but also has the highest power output in this comparison while the Mercedes C300 has the lowest power output but highest torque numbers. The BMW 430i is the most expensive car here as it is around $12,000 more expensive than the Kia Stinger.
The 2.0L Stinger accelerates from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds which is not that bad but nothing great either. The 260 lb-ft of torque generated as low as 1,400 rpm gives it the thrust to get started quickly which is quite impressive.
The quarter-mile is covered in a solid 14.7 seconds while the top speed is limited to 132 mph.
Models |
Kia Stinger |
Lexus RC 300 |
Mercedes-Benz C300 |
BMW 430i Coupe |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 mph |
6.1 sec |
7.3 sec |
5.9 sec |
5.6 sec |
Quarter mile |
14.7 sec |
15.2 sec |
14.4 sec |
14.3 sec |
Engine |
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 |
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 |
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 |
2.0L TwinPower Turbocharged Inline-4 |
Top Speed |
132 mph |
143 mph |
155 mph |
155 mph |
The BMW 430i tops the segment in terms of acceleration followed by the Mercedes Benz C300 which is followed by the 2.0L Stinger. The Lexus RC 300 on the other hand is the slowest in both the acceleration tests. The Germans also have identical top speeds which is way above the Kia or the Lexus.
Brakes feel quite assuring while stopping hard although the stopping distance of 126 feet is quite disappointing, considering the best in the class. The pedal meanwhile feels a little soft but the overall performance from the 12.6-inch front and 12.4-inch rear brake rotors isn’t that bad. The GT trims get Brembo brakes for better performance which enhances the overall feel and braking performance.
Models |
Kia Stinger |
Lexus RC 300 |
Mercedes-Benz C300 |
BMW 430i Coupe |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front (in) |
12.6 |
13.1 |
13.0 |
12.3 |
Brake Rear (in) |
12.4 |
12.2 |
11.8 |
11.8 |
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3,485 |
3,737 |
3,472 |
3,574 |
60-0 mph (ft) |
126 |
110 |
109 |
110 |
The Mercedes C300 being the lightest and featuring larger front brake rotors has the shortest stopping distance when braking from 60 mph. The Lexus and the BMW just take another foot to halt while the Kia Stinger disappoints despite its low curb weight.
Stinger's low stance provides stability while driving at higher speeds, making the car nimble around turns. Although the adaptive suspension is available only in the GT model, the standard suspension in the 2.0L version of the Stinger works well soaking up most of the bumps in the road. Despite being lengthier and wider than its rivals, it still manages to achieve amazing handling.
There are five different drive modes that come standard: Eco, Sport, Custom, Comfort, and Smart while the GT models get a limited-slip differential. The Eco mode relaxes the performance a little as it shifts early for superior fuel efficiency. The Sport mode enhances the throttle responses, stiffens the suspension and steering for a much more aggressive driving style. The Comfort mode offers a middle-ground between the two, on the other hand, Smart mode monitors driver behavior and creates profiles as per the driving styles while Custom mode lets you tailor the entire experience as per your requirements.
The Stinger's turbocharged 2.0-liter engine returns a healthy 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg out on the highway, and 25 mpg combined as per the EPA ratings. All wheel drive drivetrain reduces these figures by a mile per gallon. These numbers are not that impressive when compared to others in the segment. The V6 meanwhile drops the ratings further as it is rated at 21 mpg combined with both the rear and all-wheel drive.
Models |
Kia Stinger |
Lexus RC 300 |
Mercedes-Benz C300 |
BMW 430i Coupe |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) |
22 |
22 |
22 |
24 |
MPG (Highway) |
29 |
32 |
30 |
34 |
MPG (Combined) |
25 |
26 |
25 |
27 |
Fuel Tank Capacity (gal) |
15.9 |
17.4 |
17.4 |
15.8 |
Range (City / Highway / Combined) (miles) |
350 / 461 / 398 |
383 / 557 / 452 |
383 / 522 / 435 |
379 / 537 / 427 |
The BMW offers the best fuel economy figures here and despite making do with a small fuel tank, it has a driving range on par with the competition. The Lexus has a slightly lower fuel economy but has a larger gas tank that helps run for longer distances without refueling.
The interior reminds of a jet cockpit with the round air vents and everything aligned towards the driver. There is a feeling of luxury and premiumness inside the cabin thanks to the gloss and satin finish all around. Ingress and egress are made easy by the tall front doors but the rear passengers will need to squat down to clear the sloping roofline. The telescopic steering wheel and the driver's seat have lots of adjustments to cater to the needs of short or long drivers.Â
The driver also gets a good side and rearview but the front roof pillar may obstruct the view while making left turns. The 2018 Kia Stinger seats five and there is ample legroom in both rows to accommodate even the tallest of the passengers.
Despite a sloping roofline, the Stinger offers a decent amount of headroom in the back but people above six feet in height might rub their heads on the roofline in certain scenarios.
Models |
Kia Stinger |
Lexus RC 300 |
Mercedes-Benz C300 |
BMW 430i Coupe |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Front Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
38.3 / 56.4 / 42.6 |
37.8 / 54.7 / 45.4 |
37.1 / 55.3 / 41.7 |
39.8 / 55.3 / 42.2 |
Second Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
37.0 / 54.8 / 36.4 |
34.8 / 50.8 / 27.3 |
37.1 / 55.5 / 35.2 |
36.1 / 51.7 / 33.7 |
Only the Stinger provides seating for five as all others are rated to seat four occupants only. The Lexus has the best legroom at the front while the Kia has more space for the rear seat passengers. Overall, the BMW 430i offers the best space for all its passengers no matter the seating position. Standard seating feature includes:
The 7-inch infotainment system offered in the base model of the Stinger is a decent one which is connected with a 6-speaker audio system. The higher versions of the Stinger are offered with a much better 8-inch infotainment system with 15-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system.
This is one of the strongest features of the Stinger. The UI is easy to use with well-laid-out icons with good responses and crisp graphics.
The 2018 Kia Stinger gets exceptional cargo space. It leads the segment in terms of cargo volume while its rivals don't even come close to it. The integrated trunk lid is designed so well that the cargo capacity in the Stinger is at least 25-30% more than an average mid-size sedan sold in the US. Also, fold down the rear seats and you have a whopping 40.9 cu-ft of space for all the luggage requirements that you may have.
Models |
Kia Stinger |
Lexus RC 300 |
Mercedes-Benz C300 |
BMW 430i Coupe |
---|---|---|---|---|
Volume (cu-ft) |
23.3 |
10.4 |
12.6 |
15.7 |
As mentioned before, there is no comparison to the trunk of the Stinger but amongst the other three, it is the BMW that offers the most space. The Mercedes C300 has almost half the capacity as that of the Stinger while the RC 300 has the smallest trunk.
Stinger's sleek design with the tiger-nose grille on the front and a hatchback-style integrated trunk lid on the rear is definitely eye-grabbing. The GT version and the base model are slightly different when it comes to the rear end where the rear bumper and the taillights of the GT are sportier than the base model.
However, the quad exhaust tips are available on the GT as well as the base model. The base model of the Stinger comes with 18-inch alloy wheels while the GT version gets 19-inch alloy wheels.
Model |
Kia Stinger |
Lexus RC 300 |
Mercedes-Benz C300 |
BMW 430i Coupe |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3,485 |
3,737 |
3,472 |
3,574 |
Length (in) |
190.2 |
184.8 |
184.5 |
182.7 |
Width (in) |
73.6 |
72.4 |
71.3 |
71.9 |
Height (in) |
55.1 |
54.9 |
57.0 |
54.2 |
Ground Clearance (in) |
5.1 |
5.3 |
4.1 |
5.1 |
Wheelbase (in) |
114.4 |
107.5 |
111.8 |
110.6 |
Track width (in) F/R |
62.8 / 64.8 |
62.2 / 61.8 |
61.5 / 60.9 |
60.9 / 62.7 |
In terms of dimensions, the 2018 Kia Stinger is wider and longer than most in the segment. The Lexus and the Mercedes are almost identical in length but the RC has the shortest wheelbase in this comparison. The BMW 430i has the most compact dimensions while the Kia Stinger is the largest.
Both the Federal and the private organizations have not crash-tested the 2018 Kia Stinger but the Korean manufacturer offers a wide range of safety features. The GT trims get all the available safety features that are optional otherwise. They come bundled with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and blind-spot monitors to name a few. Other prominent features are listed below.
The Lexus RC300 is a two-door body coupe and seats four as compared to five in the 2018 Kia Stinger. The Lexus also has a cramped second row and it also offers the least amount of trunk space in the segment.
In terms of pricing the Lexus costs thousands of dollars more than the Stinger and is also not the most practical car in the segment. Go with the Stinger for better value for money.
The Mercedes Benz C Class ranks high in terms of luxury and it would be hard to find another car in the segment that offers such opulence. However, the base C Class starts at $40,000 and prices can escalate as you go higher in the trim.
The 2018 Stinger makes some amenities like leather upholstery standard which are optional on the Mercedes and hence offers a lot more value for your hard-earned money.
The 2018 Kia Stinger beats all in the segment and BMW 4 Series is no excuse. The Stinger has best-in-class cargo space along with more space in both rows and it is also the most affordable luxury sedan in its class. The BMW on the other hand is one of the priciest cars in the segment but it gets a better fuel economy than the Stinger.
Although the Bimmer is more fun to drive due to its superior driving dynamics, the $12,000 price difference is too hard to justify.
The 2018 Kia Stinger is a success in many ways. It comes bundled with most of the technology and features available in the market today, that too at an affordable price. Its performance is also at par with the German rivals and it does many things better than the latter. There is a choice of three powertrains to choose from along with the all-wheel drive to boost the Stinger's performance. There is also lots of room in both the rows to easily accommodate adults while the cargo space is unparalleled. Thus, if you want to have the practicality of a sedan along with the coupe styling, the 2018 Kia Stinger is the car for you.