Kia’s GT Concept hinted that things were about to change. The Stinger GT, which was the production version of that show car, proved that Kia can do more than just affordable vehicles. Built as a grand tourer, this sports sedan put the Kia brand on the map. While not designed as a full-on track monster like sister brand Hyundai’s N vehicles, the Stinger GT brought enough fire to change everything you knew about Kia.
Developed under the guidance of Albert Bierman, the father of the BMW M3, whom Hyundai Motor Group hired away in the early 2010s, the Stinger GT became the image changer. A car that defined Kia’s approach to high-performance and sporty models. Additionally, it cemented Kia as a design powerhouse in the auto industry, thanks to it being penned by the iconic Peter Schreyer, the man behind the original Audi TT.
Kia Stinger GT: Designed to Turn Heads
Low slung, menacing, and downright sporty. That’s the Stinger GT. Thanks to its coupe-like roofline, this four-door grand turismo looked the part. An aggressive fascia up front, complete with Kia’s signature tiger nose grille, highlights its sporting intentions. Meanwhile, the rear has four exhaust tips, adding to the athletic design. For 2022, the Stinger GT even got a variable exhaust system that amped up its sweet-sounding engine.
Inside, the Stinger GT flaunted the grand tourer part of its name with a nicely appointed interior. This cabin felt like a proper premium sports sedan, featuring high-quality materials. Additionally, it had great sound deadening, enough to let the sweet engine note in while keeping all the unwanted noise out. Furthermore, the Stinger GT comfortably fits four adults. Just watch your head and the low roofline when getting in the back. Since this sedan also had a liftback design, it boasted an expansive cargo area. Perfect for shopping at Ikea and hauling plenty of gear.
Kia kept things user-friendly on the tech front. The infotainment system, which originally had an eight-inch touchscreen and later on a 10.25-inch unit, had intuitive controls, minimal submenus, and quick responses. It also included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for extra convenience. Meanwhile, the available 15-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system brought an epic and immersive listening experience. Finally, the driver assistance tech worked well. Kia’s Drive Wise suite worked seamlessly in the background and never got intrusive when it corrected you, warned you, or tried to get your attention.
Big Power, Big Refinement
The Stinger GT helped put Kia on enthusiasts’ radars. While not a hardcore sports sedan, it came with enough performance to set your hair on fire. All GT models came with a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, giving it effortless acceleration. 2022 and later models gained an extra 3 hp thanks to a standard variable exhaust. No matter the version, minimal turbo lag meant a smooth, near-endless wave of torque throughout the rev range.
The eight-speed automatic shifts quickly in manual or when left to its own devices. It rev-matches downshifts, too, helping you get the most out of its punchy engine. Although it’s not as responsive as the ZF-sourced eight-speed others use, this unit, designed in-house by Hyundai Motor Group, isn’t far off. When it’s time to bring things to a halt, the Stinger GT’s Brembo brakes have you covered. They stopped this two-ton sports sedan confidently and scrubbed speed quickly. Most importantly, it had a nice, reassuring pedal feel. Plus, you really had to work the brakes to get them to fade or the pedal to start getting mushy.
Complementing all that power and braking is a perfectly tuned chassis befitting a grand tourer. Minimal body roll kept the Stinger GT feeling confident, especially with its quick and accurate steering, which is also nicely weighted. Most importantly, the electronically controlled suspension gave the car impressive athleticism for its size, slicing through corners beautifully. The rear-drive models included an electronically controlled rear differential, while AWD examples had a rear-biased power distribution. As a result, the Stinger GT rotated willingly, resulting in plenty of sideways action whenever you wanted it. Best of all, the suspension did a great job absorbing road imperfections, giving it a firm yet smooth ride.
Kia Stinger GT: A True Halo
There’s no question that the Stinger GT was a true halo. Together with the Telluride, it elevated Kia’s image to one of the most innovative automakers today, alongside its other two Hyundai Motor Group brands, Hyundai and Genesis. From its styling to its thrilling performance, this sports sedan was the proper hype machine. Although it didn’t go as far as Hyundai’s N cars in terms of track-ready capability, the Stinger GT brought plenty to the table. It was THAT car. This stylish four-door made the entire industry see Kia as a new leader. A powerhouse in innovative design and technology, as well as one that knew performance.
