January 25, 2018
While it isn’t easy for a carmaker to introduce a new car to a well-established vehicle category, Kia managed to do so successfully with its new car called the Stinger. With the Stinger, Kia is trying its hand at designing a car for the luxury sedan crowd. Since the vehicle features sports car inspired lines and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, car buyers searching for a luxury sedan are likely to be pleased when they test drive Kia’s new offering.
It’s tough to outdo BMW, but Kia is making a valiant effort with the Stinger by equipping the car with a unique interior and plenty of speed under the hood. The front seats in the Stinger are spacious and supportive. Along with the comfort in the front, the vehicle has plenty of space in the back because Kia designed the car with a long wheelbase.
Those who bring home the Stinger will appreciate the wide array of standard features that come with it. These include leather-trimmed heated front seats, a telescoping steering column and climate control, as well as front and rear parking sensors. Because the backseat is a little larger than other vehicles in this class, people who have small children who require a safety seat are likely to find it easier to latch a child seat into the vehicle’s anchor system than they will in other cars.
When it comes to speed, the Stinger is capable of going from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 6.2 seconds. The all-wheel drive model was a smidge slower, but the benefit of having all-wheel drive will likely make this a nonissue for most car buyers. The Stinger handles the road extremely well, so those who purchase the car will enjoy driving it on winding roads as the brakes are sensitive, increasing the vehicle’s safety. In fact, the rear-wheel drive edition was able to stop in 156 feet from a speed of 70 miles per hour. The all-wheel drive model did so in 164 feet.
In the area of fuel economy, the vehicle also performs well. The turbocharged 2.0 inline-four engine gets 22 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway. Car buyers who bring home the all-wheel drive model will get 21 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway.
It’s all about the infotainment system today, and Kia did a good job of blending touchscreen technology with handy physical buttons. Like most current cars, the Stinger comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition, car buyers can add navigation, real-time traffic reporting and weather service.
Cargo space is an important feature for many people, and the Stinger doesn’t disappoint. With 23 cubic feet of volume available behind the back seats, there’s plenty of room for suitcases and groceries. The sporty sedan also offers car buyers an abundance of interior storage. For instance, the center console is nice and large. There are plenty of drink holders as well. The vehicle model’s door pockets are on the small side, but most people will still find them useful.
While the Stinger may not have the refinement that comes with BMWs or Audis, Kia’s entry into the luxury sedan segment is one that offers value. The Stinger is a vehicle that is likely to appeal to car buyers who want something sporty and comfortable in addition to a car that’s easier on the pocketbook.