- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
3.3TT, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
272kW, 510Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 10.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
7 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2017)
2018 Kia Stinger GT review
I purchased the 2018 Kia Stinger GT 3.3 in November 2017 from Kia Yallah. It was an easy, pleasant transaction, and at the same time I ordered the bi-modal exhaust (this also came with the Kia seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty). I was told it would be ready for installation by the end of January.
- Looks
- Power
- Rear-wheel drive
- Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty
- Handling
- Lack of sports exhaust as standard
- Visual display lacking graphics
I was number-one on the order form. The first batch of exhaust systems arrived, but Kia sent them back as they did not pass quality control. (I was happier Kia did this than not. It shows the standard it wants to keep and make sure it will last. Thumbs up to Kia for this.)
Why did I buy the Kia? Well, Holden was no longer going to make the V8 Commodore. The Ford Falcon is no longer being made, however I wasn't a great fan due to the problems with the diffs needing replacement on regular intervals and the brakes would need an upgrade. I wanted a vehicle with a bit of get up and go, rear-wheel drive, and wasn't going to break the bank.
I’d been watching the Kia Stinger for about nine months and held off until it arrived, then took it for a spin. It had everything I wanted in a car and more. And then the seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty? Sold. I left the store and drove, and drove and drove. The smile on my face would not disappear. I drove city, country and highway and could not fault the power or handling, however I’m not an expert.
My work car is a Holden Commodore V8 VF2. There is not much similar with the vehicles. The Kia Stinger outperforms in all areas except for top speed, as I could not possibly legally test that. Acceleration in the Stinger is smoother and faster. The brakes in the Holden do not stop the vehicle as quickly. Both vehicles have leather seats, however the Stinger has firmer seats, the quality is better, with more positions and heating and cooling. The Stinger comes absolutely loaded with features.
The cons with the vehicle include everybody who wants to overtake you slows down to look at the vehicle. Inside, the doors become dirty with the dust/rain quicker than the rest of the car. The standard exhaust is too soft for a GT. Lane assist – if you drive defensive lines or race lines, you almost have to fight with the vehicle, as it tries to put you in the middle of the lane all the time, so I switch this function off. The vehicle does not come with remote start in Australia and no park assist. The stereo graphics are a bit lacking. This list is not a long list by far, and maybe it’s me being picky.
What I love about the car is you can select Comfort mode and cruise, or put it in Sports mode when taking on those winding roads or you just want to feel the power as you hit the on-ramp on the freeway. I love the fact that when you park in shopping centres and you can’t see behind you to see if a car is coming, the car will. I love the fact cruise control is easy to set up and forget. The car does the rest: it will speed up, slow down and even stop for you.
I have the exhaust booked in and cannot wait to hear what a Kia Stinger should sound like. I think this is a must, however this should be just standard for the GT.
With regard to fuel, after a mix of freeway/country through the Blue Mountains I got 7.7L/100km, while travelling an hour to work driving up Mt Ousley, M1 and the city it runs about 8.8–9L/100km. However, this would increase depending where the right foot sits.
The vehicle is absolutely value for money. Am I happy? Hell yes. Would I tell all my friends to get one? Hell no, because I want to be the only cool person on the block. Seriously, do yourself a favour and go out and test-drive one today – you won’t be disappointed.
Happy and safe driving!