Over the last three decades, new players entered the arena. With the US and European being consolidated to insane levels, these new players must naturally come from countries with little to no experience in the industry. Japan carmakers were, to date, the only car companies that could rival well-established Western firms. However, things changed again in the last 30 years or so.
While Kia was never considered an innovator, the Korean car manufacturers surprised every single piston head with its Stinger GT. The Stinger GT is by far one of the best Korean cars money can buy. Though Genesis cars are becoming increasingly impressive with their luxurious touches and outstanding performances, they do not come close to the Stinger GT.
10 Cutie
In the most recent years, several Japanese and South Korean cars looked like they were coming straight out of a video game. The Toyota 86 GT is the prime example. Realizing that creating an appealing vehicle was crucial, carmakers from Japan and South Korea did everything possible to come up with the most interesting vehicles. This phenomenon is unheard of in the Chinese car industry.
The Kia Stinger GT is the sort of fast Korean car gearheads would love to own. The full-size sedan does not look like your typical South Korean car. In fact, it is far sportier and attractive than any of the Hyundai Genesis released recently. The Stinger GT looks like the sedan American car manufacturers should have come up with in order to revamp the domestic industry. The Stinger GT is a gorgeous sports sedan.
9 Great Interior
When taking a look back at the very first Kia Sephia, every gearhead must concede that Kia came a long way. Even if your idea of perfection is a big-block V8 shoehorned in an American classic made before 1973, the Kia Stinger shows that South Korea has the potential to produce cars that can rival mid-range Western ones.
In order to remain relevant in the market, South Korean car companies have doubled down on improving the quality of their cars. When looking at the Stinger's interior, it is fair to say that it is just as nicely done as a mid-range American full-size sedan. Moreover, the entertainment system is on par with what is commonly found on German vehicles.
8 Quality Parts
During the past 20 years, Kia worked relentlessly to manufacture vehicles that would please low and middle income buyers. The interior of the Kia Stinger GT is absolutely gorgeous and contains all the bells and whistles one could ask for in a car. Given the price of the Stinger, it is fair to say that Kia gave its buyers more bang for their buck.
Several features of the Stinger GT strike the eye right away. The large intercooler is a clear indicator that the Stinger GT means business. Things get far more appetizing when doing a quick walkaround. The GT2's 19" rims hide the infamous Brembo brake pads. The back end of the car is simply gorgeous and feels like a true Asian sports car. Though the GT-Line is nowhere as insane as the GT2, it still has this very sporty feel to it.
7 Powerful Engine
Back in 2002, Kia introduced the Sorento. The affordable SUV received a cold welcome in the States and Europe. However, motorists in developing countries fell in love with the vehicle. It embodied success, and was by definition a sign of social elevation. It was also one of the first Kia vehicles to be equipped with a six-cylinder engine.
Not all Stinger GTs are created equal. That is a fact! The GT-Line comes stock with a potent turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder engine that churns out 300 hp at 5,800 rpm and 311 lb-ft of torque at 1,650 rpm. All this powered is tranferred to the wheels thanks to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Those figures are out of this world considering the Kia is powered by a four-cylinder engine. The GT2? A solid twin-turbocharged and intercooled 3.3-liter V6 that makes 368 hp at 6,000 rpm and 376 lb-ft of torque at 1,650 rpm.
6 AWD
The Kia Stinger GT is among the best South Korean cars available in 2021. Despite being unable to find its place in the US market, the Stinger GT is a tremendous vehicle. It may explain why Kia decided to maintain its production. The Stinger GT is what the Subaru Legacy GT could have been if it had not been shadowed by the mighty Impreza WRX STi.
The Stinger GT would be nothing without the right drivetrain. No FWD here. No RWD either. At least for the most recent versions. This spicy Korean beast comes stock with a drivetrain that one would expect to see on a well-established sports car. The Stinger, just like the Subaru Impreza WRX STi, is all-wheel drive. It's a pleasure to hit a curvy road with the Kia Stinger.
5 Special Edition
The Stinger GT is an anomaly. Not a single would ever think that Kia would be capable of coming up with anything as mind-blowing. However, the Japanese way of thinking must have rubbed off on the South Korean during the Japanese occupation. Kia decided to engineer a special edition of the Stinger GT. The Stinger GTS is the sort of South Korean cars that can put a mid-range American sports car to shame.
The Stinger GTS may not be as insane as the 2018 BMW M3 CS, but it sure is a head-turner. As a matter of fact, the GTS is very likely to become a collectible in the near future. First of all, only 800 GTS were planned to be produced. It is unclear whether Kia manufactured all 800, but with a starting price of about $44,000, anybody with money to spare should get one before its value skyrockets.
4 Drift Mode
Back in the '50s, Mercedes-Benz surprised everybody with its 300SL Gullwing. The doors were, at the time, just as cool as Lamborghini doors. Fast forward a couple years, and Rolls Royce came out with the $700 umbrella lodged in the suicide doors. With the Stinger GTS, Kia took a very different approach. The company went ahead with something most piston heads would love.
This option is only available on the 800 GTSs ever made. Most sports sedans have a road and a track mode. The GTS comes with something much more interesting: Drift Mode. In Drift Mode, 100% of the power produced by the mighty 3.3-liter V6 is sent to the back wheels. Though 365 hp may not seem like much to some gearheads, having the possibility to send all these power to the back wheels must be fun.
3 Race Car
Whenever an M-badged car gets released, most car fans with a serious need for speed cannot wait to see what Hamann Motorsports will cook up. The same applies to any other sports car with a terrific reputation. There are times when less popular tuners come up with astonishing builds. The creator of this track-ready Kia may not be Hennessey Performance Engineering, but the result sure is jaw-dropping.
This Kia is the sort of car that would be very popular among gearheads. Dubbed the GT420 Concept, this modified Kia Stinger originates from the United Kingdom. The car was stripped of all the components that would be utterly useless in a race car. The power output was increased to 422 hp, which is more power than a 2009 Mustang GT. Let that sink in for a minute.
2 Solid
The Kia Stinger GT is the biggest sports sedan bargain today. For merely $50,000, it is possible to cruise in a stylish vehicle fitted with a robust powerplant. Though the Stinger GT does not have the notoriety of the BMW M5 or the Dodge Charger SRT-8, it is nonetheless a great vehicle for a project. It might be a Kia, but it is the coolest Kia ever made. So far.
It has been said that the Stinger has very sexy features. The Stinger GT has to be one of the most well-executed sports cars ever made by Kia. Realizing how much potential the car has, several tuners decided to give the Stinger a much more aggressive look. A flared out Stinger with a front spoiler and nice set of rims is simply gorgeous. Once modified, the Stinger GT will combine both power and looks.
1 Family Oriented
If you did not know the Stinger GT was made to tear up the track, then now you know. There is nothing about the Stinger GT that does not scream high-output and adrenaline. However, Kia must have realized that its buyers would expect more than cloth seats and a hard and gray plastic console. Engineers at Kia made sure that the Stinger GT would be both a sports sedan and a family car.
The Stinger is amazing. Yes, it is a Kia. Yes, it is an astonishing vehicle. The two are no longer mutually exclusive. The greatest part about the Stinger GT is that it successfully combines sportiness and comfort. It can be said that the Stinger GT is the sports sedan that does not completely breaks the bank. When looking at this South Korean beast, it is fair to say that German carmakers should start putting more effort in their research and development.