Even from the cabin of the BMW, handsome Estoril Blue, the attention slathered on the leader of our small convoy isn’t difficult to see.
It could be that car’s own rich hue, which is suspiciously similar to Alfa’s Competizione Red, or the strangely discreet quad exhausts, or the fact that its prominent haunches flow rearwards to meet a tapering fastback and form an eye-pleasing Kamm-tail of sorts. All warrant a closer look. Or those enjoying the delights of the M4 westbound on this overcast weekday morn could simply be leaning over to make sure they’ve read the badge on the boot-lid correctly. So we’re all on the same page, it says ‘Kia’.
By now you’ll be aware of the Stinger, seen here in top-spec, establishment-bating, eyebrow-raising GT-S trim. You may have also heard that it’s better than expected, with plenty of go and a chassis that’s, not to beat around the bush, rather lively. But good enough to be regarded as a proper driver’s car, one that might be considered an alternative to the likes of BMW’s 440i M Sport and the Jaguar XE S? Surely not.
It pays to be open-minded, though, and a short while later the Stinger’s respectably heavy key fob is in hand. Climb aboard and it isn’t the elegant expanse of its interior that surprises most. Neither is it the high, wide transmission tunnel, with its Audi-style gearlever, nor the porthole-style air vents (Mercedes) or the dash-top infotainment system (BMW). It’s actually the driving position, which sinks deep enough for your eye-line to skim the top of the wraparound dash. Plenty of adjustability in the steering column then allows you to set the firmly padded steering wheel, with its satisfying narrow girth, close to your chest, in turn extending an invitation for your legs to stretch out and greet the pedals.
All this comes as revelation because the relationship between a car’s principal controls is an ergonomic maze in which experienced marques still get lost from time to time. That Kia has more or less nailed it straight off the bat bodes very well indeed.
Join the debate
Add your comment
The Stinger will make a great
The Stinger will make a great second hand buy!
I read the recent Kia press
I read the recent Kia press release for this car and there was one big heading: A Gran Turismo, not a sports car.
Kia seem pretty sure of their intended market so I'm not surprised it doesn't beat either of these rivals down a British B-road, it's not supposed to.
The BMW technical specs surprise me, why is the 440i engine in a less-powerful tune than the same engine in the M140i?
bomb wrote:
It's all to do with how BMW are positioning the car. You can get a 340i or 440i with more power via a dealer-fit M-Performance kit. It raises the performance to 360PS & 500NM (and increases the noise). I have it on my touring and probably wouldn't have bought the car without it.
My understanding is that with the next generation the 340i will become the m340i with a more sporting character as standard (in line with the rest of the range). In the meantime you have to tick the right options to get the 340i or 440i to be sporty (an LSD is available as well should you wish).
bomb wrote:
Exactly right and missed by most of those making their inaccurate comments.
It doesn't surprise me in the
Boy is this getting predictable.
MaxTorque wrote:
Thoughtless, inaccurate comment, that completely overtakes a reasonable point...could do much better.