DRIVEN: Can Kia's Stinger GT Really Take The BMW 3 Series Head On?

Kia has long been considered a high-value mainstream manufacturer that offered cheap, cheerful and well-equipped family cars. While a prolonged push upmarket has seen top-spec Sorento SUVs nudge £40,000, it’ll take a different tack later this year, with the introduction of its all-new Stinger GT halo car.

A four-door saloon targeting established German rivals such as the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class, the GT will act as the Korean brand’s exclusive flagship when it arrives in UK dealers later this year. It’ll come with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines, as well as a range-topping 3.3-litre V6.

cidflekken - 2/22/2017 3:12:00 PM

+10 Boost

Sorry, but there will be very few 3-Series buyers that would consider this Stinger GT.
The exterior is angry Optima glam. The interior is rental-fleet chic. It will be to the 3-Series what the Genesis coupe was to the 4 Series: not a threat, even if it outdrives the 3 Series.

TomM - 2/22/2017 3:44:02 PM

+4 Boost

Absolutely agree - People who want the Panache' of a BMW - do not want to be seen in a Korean car on the cheap. There will be the few who cannot afford the BMW - who will buy the Kia - but not for the same reasons. That is why Genesis will also not do as well - they simply do not have the reputation and presence of a long term high end vehicle. Even Lexus - never actually broke through that barrier after all these year and remains a second tier luxury vehicle - with Buick and Volvo and Lincoln.

7msynthetic - 2/22/2017 6:49:33 PM

+1 Boost

The way BMW is designing its chassis' these days (steering, etc) anything can take BMW on so don't flatter yourself KIA. I will say Stinger is so hippy lame, its a reason not to buy the thing. It can RIP with the Dodge Dart and Ford Taurus.

MDarringer - 2/22/2017 7:45:47 PM

-3 Boost

Once past the snobbery of the car bigots above, this is a stellar new entry into the performance sedan market.

Throw in a thumping V8 and go for it I say.

MDarringer - 2/23/2017 10:14:01 PM

-3 Boost

Let's be real. Kia is going after profit and will be stunningly successful at it.

222max - 2/23/2017 11:10:32 AM

+3 Boost

The title is the typical bait for the Eurosnob crowd. Nowhere is it mentioned in the source article that Kia is aiming for BMW customers. But isn't it nice that you don't pay to pay German car money for something approaching the driving experience? Power to the people.

cidflekken - 2/23/2017 12:31:05 PM

+3 Boost

So, did you just selectively choose to overlook this part of the article?

"A four-door saloon targeting established German rivals such as the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class"

countguy - 2/23/2017 1:08:30 PM

+2 Boost

The genesis brand can't even compete with BMW, but they think Kia will, LMAO.

MDarringer - 2/23/2017 10:14:26 PM

-2 Boost

That's your anti-Korean bigotry talking.