Kia Stinger 2023

Launched in 2019, Kia Philippines unboxed the Stinger in the Manila International Auto Show, alongside a turbocharged compact sedan, the Forte GT. As the first halo car from the Korean brand, the Stinger is the most powerful and exciting Kia to drive on Philippine soil. It's the most powerful and the most equipped Kia to date. 

With a unibody chassis and highly engineered frame, the Stinger features a very taught body that is well behaved and rigid where it needs to be. The frame features multiple braces and structural components that can even be seen when looking at the engine. Stabilizers are also present in the front suspension, which is a MacPherson strut and shock combo. The rear is also robust with a 5-link multilink suspension providing stability to this rear-wheel driven fastback. Brembo brake calipers and discs can be found in the 19-inch wheels. The brake set features more pistons than your standard car. Each from brake caliper houses four pistons, which each rear caliper features 2 on each side. These high-performance brakes help the Stinger stop on a dime and look good while doing it. 

Power comes from a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged gasoline engine that produces 365 hp and 510 Nm of torque, allowing the Stinger to reach 100 km/h in about 4.9 seconds. The engine and transmission will allow the car to reach a top speed of 270 km/h. The transmission that is mated to the motor is an  8-speed automatic with shift-by-wire control, and it also comes outfitted with a limited-slip differential better power delivery from corners. 

Rear-wheel drive, a twin-turbocharged V6, and performance-oriented handling, those are the Kia Stinger's main hallmarks as a driver's car. The fastback is quick off the line, going from 0-100 km/h in about 4.9 seconds. Braking is also stellar with the Brembo front and rear discs and calipers providing the stopping power needed. Steering is sharp, and even if the Stinger is on the longer side, piloting this vehicle in the city was easy because of the light steering and manageable dimensions. Faster-paced drives are where the Stinger shines. Stability and handling at higher speeds are one of the Stinger's forces, while cornering is fair given the weight of the vehicle. 

As expected, Kia's flagship tourer comes equipped with the latest and greatest technology features that the South Korean brand has to offer. Starting off with the infotainment system, you get an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and USB, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Harman/Kardon sound system with 9 speakers and 4 tweeters.

Other tech features on the Stinger include a 360-degree camera system that outputs to the 8-inch screen, automatic climate, automatic cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, mobile phone wireless charging, a 7-inch multifunction display for the gauge cluster, electronic parking brake, smart key entry, push start, motorized driver and passenger seats, and a tire pressure monitoring system. 

The front of the Singer features the best-LED headlamps that Kia has. With a bi-function projection LED with dynamic bending, the car can illuminate a dark road even better while in motion. All of the lighting elements in the Stinger are LEDs, which include everything from the foglamps to the taillights. The tiger-nose grille is on the slimmer side, but it is dwarfed by the massive air intakes found at the bottom of the front bumper. This opening leads into the intercooler and radiator keeping the engine cool, and the air entering the combustion chamber, dense. While it may look like a traditional fastback sedan, the rear doesn't feature a trunk, instead, it has a liftback design that allows for an opening that is very wide and accessible. 

Kia used brushed surfaces, plush leather, high-quality components, and great fit and finish to adorn the interior of the Kia Stinger. The familiar Kia style of interior is still present, and the design is a culmination of all Kia's efforts in making better cars. The seats are motorized, while the driver seat has an 8-way power-adjustable unit with a 4-way lumbar with a cushion extension and memory. The passenger seat is also an 8-way power adjust with 4-way lumbar support adjustment. Seating is good for four individuals, and space is ample enough for normal-sized individuals. The rear seats also come with aircon vents and charging ports for rear convenience. The cargo area can be accessed through a lift-back rear. Once opened, a total of 406-liters of space can be found, which makes this car a surprisingly practical vehicle.