2018 Kia Stinger

The 2018 Kia Stinger’s performance is motivated by either of two engine options. While the base four-cylinder engine is refined for everyday use, the V6 engine available with the higher trims is specifically built for performance. At a starting price of $31,900, can the Stinger prove to be a fitting alternative to the likes of the Subaru WRX, Alfa Romeo Giulia, and Lexus IS 300? Let’s find out

As the latest inclusion in the brand’s lineup, the Kia Stinger is available in five distinct trim levels. These include the Base, Premium, GT, GT1, and GT2 options and amongst them, these trims share two engine options and a similar number of drivetrain configurations. Each trim option of the Stinger is adequately equipped, but the GT trims do hold more value and offer a better set of comfort creatures and are better suited for buyers with a higher technological appetite.

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Amongst the available options here, we recommend opting for the GT trim level. With a powerful V6 engine under its hood, the GT trim option adds a plethora of standard features over the base variant and adds an adaptive air suspension system to improve its performance on the track. It has better agility than the base engine and feels livelier to drive, but if you look for everyday practicality the turbocharged four-cylinder engine is the go-to option.

The 2018 Kia Stinger is available with either of two engine options to power its performance. With the base and Premium trims, the sports sedan comes equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 unit, which is good for 255 hp of power and 260 lb.-ft of torque. While the outputs from the base engine would suffice the requirements of the traditional buyers, Kia provides a more powerful V6 engine with all three GT trims, and by churning out 365 hp and 376 lb.-ft of torque, the sedan delivers an almost unmatched level of performance.

In all other mechanical aspects, both powertrains remain similar. The sedan sports a standard quick-shifting and lag-free 8-speed automatic transmission and is available with a standard RWD configuration. However, buyers do get an option to upgrade to an all-wheel-drive setup. Performance-wise, the Stinger with a base engine and rear-wheel-drive manages to sprint from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds and can breach the quarter-mile mark in around 14.7 seconds, recording a top speed of 132 MPH.

In comparison with its competitors, majorly all contemporaries have a similar setup under their hood, with the exception of the Subaru WRX. The 2018 WRX makes use of a CVT unit in place of the standard 8-speed automatic unit prevalent in all its rivals and transfer power to all wheels as standard. On the other hand, the Lexus, Alfa Romeo, Kia, are channeled as rear-wheel-drive options, but they do offer AWD configurations as optional to the buyers.

In terms of performance, the Alfa Romeo Giulia is the most powerful and also scores the highest scores in the acceleration test. It sprints from 0-60 mph in just 5.1 seconds, which is at least a second quicker than all of its competitors. At the other end of this spectrum, lie the Subaru and Lexus, both of which takes 6.9 seconds to achieve a similar feat, and are also evidently slower in the quarter-mile run, taking just over 15 seconds.

2018 Kia Stinger Ride and Handling

The drive experience and ride quality of the new Kia Stinger is almost inch-perfect. Unlike other options from the brand, Stinger’s oneness lies in its responsiveness, and a quick-shifting transmission unit helps it achieve its desired result. Likewise, Kia’s sport sedan benefits from a set of powerful engines, and with either of the inline-4 or V6 units, acceleration seems to be sure-footed, and exhilaration remains at its peak. The steering system has ample feedback to offer and the ride remains rather comfortable on uneven surfaces as well.

With the higher-level GT trims, the Kia Stinger benefits from an adaptive air suspension system, which improves the overall ride quality. Additionally, they also get equipped with a Brembo braking system and launch control system, for a true sports car-like performance. So, overall, the Kia Stinger is a delight to drive, and though in its Sports mode, the ride does seem to stiffen a bit, it would not be irksome for the drivers.

2018 Kia Stinger Braking Performance

Unlike its strong performance in the acceleration tests, the Stinger lurks at the bottom of the table when the braking potential is concerned. However, a major reason for the kind of performance it delivers can be attributed to its higher curb weight and smaller brake size. The Kia Stinger gets equipped with 13 and 12.5-inch brake rotors at the front and rear, and the sedan comes to a halt at 126 ft, when decelerating from 60 mph. But as you move up to the higher trim levels, a standard Brembo brake system improves braking prowess, and with the additional bite during braking, the halting distance is bound to be lesser than the current levels.

In the market for compact sedans, the Subaru WRX is a sought-after option in all regards. And even when braking is concerned, it manages to deliver a stellar performance, taking only 113 ft to come to a halt, despite housing the smallest brakes in the segment. On the other hand, the Lexus IS 300 and Alfa Romeo Giulia, which are both heavy vehicles, also manage to stop at shorter distances than the Kia. But both these sedans come with larger brake options. While the Lexus has the largest rotors upfront of 13.2 inches, the Giulia’s brake rotors of 12.5-inches at the rear are larger than the segment standards and help aid the performance.

With the base engine option, the Kia Stinger manages to be an efficient option that averages a combined mileage of 25 MPG. Even in the city and on the highway, the sports sedan averages a mileage of 22 and 29 MPG, respectively. With the V6 engine, however, the efficiency tends to nosedive, as the Stinger averages only 20 MPG. It comes with a standard 15.9-gallon fuel tank and manages a class-competing range.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia and Lexus IS 300 remain ahead of the Kia in terms of fuel efficiency, averaging combined mileages of 27 and 26 MPG, respectively. But the Subaru WRX is the least efficient and averages the lowest combined range of 350 miles. So, if you were to buy a sedan that vaunts frugality, the Lexus with the largest fuel tank of 17.4-gallons and an astounding range of 450 miles, seems to check, pretty much, all the right boxes.

Being a product from the subdivision of Hyundai, the Kia Stinger resonates with an opulent and happy-go-lucky aura. While its starting price might seem to be a bit high for the compact sedan segment, Stinger’s ability to provide quality materials makes it a superior choice in the market. It comes adorned with faux leather on the dashboard and doors and also sports genuine leather on all the seats. Additionally, when on the inside, Kia’s sedan does not feel an unfavorable place to be in, all credits to its tranquility and supple ride quality.

In terms of space and comfort, the Kia Stinger succumbs to the general notion of the market. While the seats up front have ample space and provide a commanding driving position, the rear seats are not suited for taller passengers. Due to the tapering roofline, the headroom on offer for rear seat occupants feels rather constricted. But Stinger’s practicality lies in its cargo-carrying capacity and the sedan comes with a sizable boot of 23.3 cubic feet, which is considerably higher than what competitors have to offer.

Each sedan in the segment has a standard seating capacity of five passengers. But all of its contemporaries of the Stinger, the Alfa Romeo, Subaru, and Lexus, fall short in terms of rear-seat space. Even the cargo capacity that they have to offer is lower than the Stinger. The Giulia, WRX, and IS 300 come with boot capacities of 13, 12, and 10.8 cubic feet, respectively. Thus, in a bid to be flamboyant, all these vehicles forego practicality, to an extent.

However, when compared in terms of cabin build and quality, only the WRX seems to be underwhelming in this regard. While both the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Lexus IS 300 are pristine and sophisticated in their setup, Subaru’s inferior material quality works antithetical to its cause. Additionally, it also suffers from elevated road-noise, and in the lack of tranquility, all other options seem to be a sigh of relief in comparison.

Some of the salient interior features include:

• 8-way powered driver and passenger seats
• Heated front seats (ventilation functionality available with the GT2 trim only)
• Standard leather upholstery
• Interior Air Filtration
• Dual-zone Front Climate Control
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted controls

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2018 Kia Stinger?

In a rather practical setup, the Kia Stinger’s infotainment system is its quirkiest inclusion. It makes use of the brand’s UVO infotainment system and like in every other car it is found in; it remains highly intuitive. Depending on the trim, the Stinger provides either a 7 or 8-inch display unit, but both these options have striking graphics, logical menu placements, and benefit from their responsiveness. As standard, the sedan comes with connectivity features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, and while a 6-speaker sound system is available from the base variant, the GT trims sport a Harman Kardon unit.

Some of the salient infotainment features include:

• HD Radio
• Sirius XM Satellite Radio
• USB Connection
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Voice Recognition

At first glance, the Kia Stinger looks absolutely striking and has defined muscular lines that run through its body. It sports Kia’s typical tiger-nose grille up front, which does bestow a neat look to the sedan, and complements well the sharp headlights and low-slung hood. However, when closely observed, the sports sedan does seem to be a tad bit polarizing. But the irksome design is limited to only the rear of the sedan. The taillight unit of the Stinger, in our opinion, lacks finesse and when integrated with the hatchback-like trunk and coupe-like tapering roofline, the Kia fails to uphold the overall dramatic design of the vehicle.

The Kia Stinger sits on a pair of 18/19-inch wheels, depending on the trim you opt for. It looks large as per compact sedan standards and its wheelbase of 114.4 inches is evidence of the fact. In other dimensions as well, the Stinger is larger than its rivals. At 190.2 inches, it is the longest option in comparison here and is also the widest at 73.6 inches.

In terms of design, the Alfa Romeo and Subaru with their boyish charms manage to match the theatrics of the Kia Stinger. However, Lexus, which was also expected to be versatile in the way it looks, does seem to be way too subtle for the class it falls in. It was built to cater to your family requirements, unlike its rivals that aim at being a style statement with their raw appeal.

When dimensions and proportions are concerned, all three contemporaries of Kia, fall short of the Stinger. While the Giulia and IS 300 fall in a similar ballpark with wheelbases of 111 and 110.2 inches, respectively, the WRX is, both statistically and visually, the most compact option on offer. It is also the lightest option on offer weighing 3,322 lbs and is at least 200 lbs lighter than its competitors.

Some of the salient exterior features of the 2018 Kia Stinger include:

• Rear Spoiler
• Exhaust Tips
• Sunroof
• 18/19-inch alloy wheels
• Tiger-nose grille
• Mud Guards

The 2018 Kia Stinger has not undergone any crash tests as of now. But even in absence of ratings from dignified agencies, the sports sedan remains reliable and safe. From the base variant itself, the Stinger comes with a large number of safety features. As standard, it is equipped with an emergency braking assist, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a comprehensive airbag system. Over the Base and Premium trims, the GT options add better driver-assistance technology for improved performance. These include features like adaptive cruise control and a forward-collision warning system. Some other safety specifications available with the sedan include:

• Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors
• Engine Immobilizer
• Anti-theft alarm system
• Dusk Sensing headlamps
• Daytime Running Lights
• Child Seat Anchors

2018 Kia Stinger vs 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia

The Kia Stinger and Alfa Romeo Giulia are proper sports sedans and, in their fascia, and performance, they resonate with an athletic aura. While the latest introduction, the Stinger, is a force to reckon with, the year-old Giulia does seem to be the better option in comparison. It gains lead over Kia in all aspects, making it an all-around performer. It is quicker, more efficient, and has a better braking system to its name.

While it is difficult to distinguish between the two sedans purely on the basis of their build and quality, Kia’s ability to provide a higher number of trim options does appeal to the buyers. Additionally, it benefits from a better set of rear seats, and by bestowing a higher level of comfort than the Alfa Romeo at a relatively lower price, the Stinger could make for an impressive choice in the market.

2018 Kia Stinger vs 2018 Subaru WRX

Probably, the Subaru WRX is the oldest sports sedan available in the market, and by staying true to its ideas of performance and comfort, it acts as a fierce competitor to the Kia Stinger. However, in comparison to the new Korean kid on the block, the Subaru feels sluggish and lacks frugality. Though it does come with a better braking system, Kia’s finely-drawn and tranquil cabin and rather enamoring design make it a better option. Additionally, by offering some optional features of the WRX as standard, a larger trunk, and using premium quality materials, the Stinger, despite its higher price, is the better option in comparison here.

2018 Kia Stinger vs 2018 Lexus IS 300

Typically, all of Lexus’s vehicles are synonymous with luxury and even the IS 300 falls into a similar category. By being opulent, the IS 300 and Kia Stinger seem to cater to a similar section of buyers, however, it is the ability of the latter to combine performance with plushness to deliver a distinct experience. While the Lexus is the more frugal option out of the two, Kia’s sprinting engines and precise handling, make it an appreciable vehicle to drive. Additionally, it comes with a better infotainment system and also has higher cargo capacity and passenger space, which makes it a better and practical proposition.

Being an all-new introduction into the market, the Kia Stinger vaunts a contemporary build. It is technologically advanced, mechanically potent, and has an affordable price tag to solidify its position in the market. Though a bit idiosyncratic in its design, the Stinger is built keeping in mind practicality and an enthralling driving experience, and it is safe to say that it has aced the requirements of a sports sedan. It is extremely sturdy and comes with a comprehensive warranty package, making it a reliable pick that is adequately packed with class-leading features, right from its base variant.