mReview: 2021 Kia Stinger GT-Line 2.0L – Infused with German Spices

The Kia Stinger is a much-hyped 4-door GT with hints of German spices; it now gets even zingier with its recent improvements.

Here's a bit of history for you, Kia hired Peter Schreyer (ex-Audi designer) and Albert Biermann (former Vice President of BMW M Engineering) to be part of the Stinger project. Their expertise has not gone to waste since the Stinger made its first debut in 2018.

Albert Biermann once mentioned, "If you drive a Stinger, it feels maybe a little bit German, and that's not a bad thing". It does ride like a magic carpet, and you will feel an instantaneous torque when you put the pedal to the metal.

Updated Exterior

The noticeable changes are the new lighting features to give it a more muscular and aggressive stance on all fronts.

The signal lights looking like a chequered flag, and the gorgeous-looking LED brake lights now span across the rear.

Other than that, there weren't many changes done to other parts of the car. However, it still looks as handsome as before with the long front-end, broad haunches, and sloping roofline.

A Family-Oriented 4-Door GT

Don't be shunned by its low-slung design; the Stinger is a lot more practical than you think. It offers a spacious interior; getting into the back row isn't much of an issue with plenty of head and legroom for rear passengers.

As far as practicality goes, you will get ISOFIX points at the rear bench; there won't be much of an issue when ferrying your young kids for family outings.

If you don't fancy artificial air condition blowing directly towards you, there is a panoramic sunroof, for that matter.

We feel that the cargo area looks a tad shallow; they could have done better by making it lengthier. In whichever way, it still accommodates long and wide items with 406 litres of space.

If extra storage is needed, there are 1,114 litres of space with the rear seats knocked down.

Interior Design

The air-con vents dominate the centre console and metallic-looking buttons are some of the sporty design elements that gave the interior an aircraft-like ambience.

The ambient lighting feature heightens the overall interior experience; you can adjust it according to your preferred colour and level of intensity. We especially like it in Orange Delight, which made night drives feel especially energetic.

Comfort Creatures

There are some notable modern-day features you will find in the Stinger. You get USB ports and a wireless charging bay in the front to keep your phone connected while on the go.

It also received an updated infotainment system that allows you to connect both Andriod Auto and Apple CarPlay wirelessly.

There are powered seats for the front row with 4-way lumbar support as standard. The driver gets 10-way adjustments with 2 memory settings, while the front passenger gets an 8-way power-adjustable seat.

The first row also gets ventilated seats, which we find interesting. You can either set it to cool on a hot day or warm it up during rainy or cold occasions. These settings allow a comfortable ride for longer journeys.

Safety Features

The Stinger is kitted with Kia's latest safety features to keep you safe on the roads at all times.

Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM) and Blind Spot Detection with Collision-Avoidance Assist (BSD) act as a second pair of eyes. The system steers you back into your lane when it detects a vehicle approaching from behind on either side.

On the other hand, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) is an automated braking system that slows down the car when it detects a vehicle, cyclist, and pedestrian in front.

The Surround View Monitor (SVM) is a 360-degree camera that is very useful when parking the Stinger.

The clarity of the speed information reflected Head-Up Display (HUD) unit were also apparent in broad daylight. Its purpose is to allow drivers to keep their eyes peeled on the road while consuming speed information.

The Drive Stings

While the more potent 3.3L GT variant is on its way to getting homologated in Singapore, this entry-level GT-Line variant has already stung us hard, in a good way of course.

It offers a comfortable drive, smooth-shifting gearbox and a responsive twin-scroll 2.0L engine powering the rear wheels.

It felt extremely calm and collective when driven in Smart, Eco or Comfort modes. Set it into Sports or Sports+ modes and you get a dynamic throttle response that makes it easier for overtaking manoeuvres on the expressway.

For the windy roads, the Stinger's steering is nimble and sharp when thrown around bends. The brakes are surprisingly responsive and smooth and you won't feel any sudden jerks.

Is It Still As Worthy As Before?

The pre-facelifted Stinger 2.0L GT-Line was priced at $166,999 back in 2018, With Cat B prices at $37,000 with an extra $10,000 for emission tax previously, the car price, together with additional taxes, was considered reasonable then.

The current price of the GT-Line starts at $215,999; you'll be paying more due to the hike in COE. However, you will enjoy the latest technologies and enhanced safety features with tastier German spices that come along with it.

Look at it this way; if the badge brand doesn't matter to you, then this Korean car is one you should consider. The Stinger is truly sensational!

Kia Singapore has hinted that it's just a stone's throw away for the range-topping Kia Stinger to get homologated. We can't wait to hear the sound of the 3.3L twin-turbo V6 engine.

Specs

Read More: mReview: 2021 Hyundai i30 1.0L Turbo Hatchback - The Little Car That Could

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