Kia Stinger review

Given that Kia already sells a big saloon in the UK – the Optima – you might wonder why it needs another executive model.

Well, the Stinger isn’t just another mainstream car aimed at the likes of the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport; no, sir, it’s a svelte assault on the prestige five-door coupé market, dominated by cars such as the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, with the Volkswagen Arteon thrown in for good measure.

Whether that sounds like an ambitious idea or a downright daft one will depend largely on your perception of the Kia brand. If you’re in the latter camp, it’s worth remembering that this Korean firm’s sales are several times more than that of Alfa Romeo, Jaguar and Land Rover combined, and it has won more design awards over the past decade than you can shake a clay modelling scalpel at.

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Under its sleek, five-door coupé body, the Stinger is based on the same mechanicals as sister brand Genesis’ G80, meaning it’s rear-wheel drive. And with a trio of engines to pick from, including a diesel and a twin-turbo V6 petrol, can the Stinger compete with its premium-branded rivals? Read on to find out.