Kia's first sports sedan looks and drives well. Their biggest asset is their price.
SP-X / Cologne. The most important mission of the sports sedan Kia Stinger is very clear: to develop radiance and convey the strength of the Korean brand to the classic Ceed buyer. It does not take a lot of sales to do that; instead, the mere presence in the showroom between all the bread and butter cars is enough. As a real eye-catcher, the sleek four-door is much too bad.
Here, the coupéhaft drawn Korean is a real eye-catcher. The design team around the German Peter Schreyer has found a good balance between thick-cheeked appearance and elegant restraint: fake air intakes on the hood and gills behind the front wheels like the PS Group, while the harmonious proportions of the 4,83 meter long hatchback also on the Do good on board parking. In the very spacious interior, it is more elegant than sporty, a lot of leather (series), a total of high-quality material selection and their careful workmanship create an almost luxurious atmosphere. In spite of a wealth of electronic functions, the interior does not seem overloaded - the typical Kia style, which dispenses with all sorts of bells and whistles and focuses on usability, also works in the upper price segment.
Generous space has to offer the Kia also. Especially in front, where especially the low-capacity center console pleasantly noticeable. Long-legged sit comfortably in the back, but sitting giants bump their heads quickly against the coupe-like roof. The trunk under the far-swinging tailgate is also spacious, even if it lacking in terms of concept, something in pack height. For the big holiday trip to four or five, the stinger is therefore rather not the optimal car. A Shooting Brake variant of the sedan is not planned.
Long distance qualities of the Koreans abound in addition. The suspension manages the balancing act between travel comfort and agility, the sensitive steering makes both the cornering and the stubborn straight on the highway to the joy. There are handy, well dosed brakes. In addition to a limited slip differential, the tested V6 variant also comes as standard with all-wheel drive technology on board, and the drive power is usually distributed slightly at the rear. By pressing the sports button a few percent more hike to the rear axle, the accelerator pedal is more sensitive and the adaptive dampers tighten a little. Even more sharpening is the Kia, in the "Sport +" mode, which also gives the ESP anti-skid device significantly more leash.
The portability in everyday life is not necessary: The Stinger drives in standard mode in view of length and weight very handy. And, of course, sovereign - which is mainly due to the 3,3 liter big six-cylinder, which develops 269 kW / 366 horsepower and 510 Nm torque. As the data suggests, the turbo gasoline engine has no problems with the almost two-ton Allrader and transported him in conjunction with the comfort-shifting eight-speed automatic in 5,5 seconds from a standstill to Tempo 100. His work is accompanied by a sonorous and full of character hum, which never seems obtrusive despite electronic amplification. The maximum allowed in Stinger 270 km / h, which leaves the majority of electronically sealed off competition from Germany behind. The only downside: In terms of efficiency of the Koreans depends on the competitors. Admittedly, the 10,5 liter standard consumption advised by the manufacturer can be approximately achieved under good conditions and with careful driving style. However, if you want to use the potential of the engine - you do not even want to exhaust it - you have to expect more with 12 liters plus x. That is not up to date, even with the performance required.
What you pay at the gas station is saved elsewhere. With a starting price of 55.900 euros, the Stinger is the most expensive current Kia on the German market, but compared to a similarly motorized BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé (just under 60.000 euros) or Audi S5 Sportback (almost 60.000 euros), it is almost a bargain. Especially if you take into account the almost complete equipment and the seven-year guarantee. Nevertheless, the Ceed buyer will probably primarily confirm the choice of his brand. However, if you have a sense of the advantages of a sports sedan with strong driving performance and do not value the prestigious labels of German premium manufacturers, you should ask the dealer for a test drive with the exhibit. The Stinger is much too good to stare at.