Kia has branched into sports-sedan territory with its four-door hatchback Stinger. It was designed as a thoroughbred rear-wheel-drive sports sedan with an aggressive stance. In our tests, the Stinger proved to be a nimble car that combines performance, style, and practicality. But in terms of luxury and comfort, it’s not quite to the level of an Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series.
The turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers ample power and emits a sporty sound. There’s hardly any turbo lag and the eight-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive. It got a not so stellar 23 mpg overall in our testing, falling short of several competitors.
Shoppers will need to spend several thousand dollars more to get the Stinger GT2 with the optional 3.3-liter, turbo V6 engine. With its 368 hp, funneled through either rear- or all-wheel drive, the GT2 is more of a treat to drive, with smooth, punchy performance. Of course, with all that extra power, owners should expect a fuel economy penalty.
The Stinger feels taut and agile when steering through corners, and it was a real hoot around the CR test track. The car demonstrated good tire grip and a balanced breakaway point at its limits, making it enjoyable to drive. Ride comfort is another matter. Impacts from pavement imperfections come through as stiff jolts, and the rear of the car can feel unsettled over large bumps. Other performance sedans strike a better balance between ride and handling.
It can be a challenge to get in and out of the Stinger because of the car’s low stance. Once inside, the front leather seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustments, including four-way lumbar for the driver. Rear-seat comfort is hurt a bit by the sloping roofline, but the hatchback creates generous cargo space, especially with the rear seats folded down.
The cabin has a sporty theme, with round dash vents and a few toggle-style switches. Fit and finish and attention to detail are good, but the car doesn’t feel particularly luxurious. The controls are easy to use, but drivers may struggle with the faint labelling on the satin-chrome buttons in sunlight, and they might that it’s a long reach to the infotainment screen and the audio system’s tuning knob. The electronic, stick-like monostable gear selector in the top-level GT2 trim, which we also drove, can leave drivers confused about whether they’re in Reverse or Park.
Standard safety and convenience features for 2022 include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, and driver-attention warning, as well as adaptive cruise control.