KEY FEATURES:

• 2-way remote start
• SmartKey keyless entry/pushbutton ignition
• power seats (w/driver's memory)
• heated/cooled leather seats
• heated 2nd-row seats
• heated steering-wheel
• auto-fold power mirrors
• premium AM/FM/SXM/USB/Aux/BT stereo
• Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
• Bluetooth handsfree phone/stereo controls
• wireless phone charge mat
• UVO telematics
• lane-keep assist
• blind-spot/cross-traffic detection
• HUD (heads-up display)
• power hatch
• forward collision avoidance
• smart adaptive cruise-control
• power sunroof
• large touchscreen w/overhead 360-degree backup camera
• forward/rear park assist
• GPS navigation
• cargo privacy cover
• custom fitted floormats (front & rear)
• battery-maintainer

With sleek styling and affordable pricing, the 2019 Kia Stinger is unlike most other sports sedans on the market. Its hatchback design creates a roomy interior and imbues it with spacious cargo-carrying ability. The Stinger checks several important boxes for a car in this segment, with a powerhouse twin-turbo V-6 coupled to a brilliant all-wheel drive. This self-professed BMW 3-series-fighter offers plenty of power, serious quickness, and an unusual but entirely pleasing exterior design—and all at a hugely attractive price. It's a social climber in the best possible sense.

The Stinger's entry-level four-cylinder model would represent a compelling mix of features and value for most drivers, but as enthusiasts, we'll pin our fortunes to the Stinger GT. That model comes with the 365-hp twin-turbo V-6 and several premium features, including Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels with high-performance summer tires, and variable-ratio steering. Stepping up to the Limited trim option like this beauty here adds a larger infotainment system with navigation, adaptive dampers, a 15-speaker audio system, and memory settings for the driver's seat, among other features.

The powerful twin-turbo V-6 delivers scintillating performance that gets our enthusiast blood pumping. The eight-speed automatic that comes in every Stinger is lightning quick and well calibrated when left to shift for itself, and in manual-mode, the paddle-shifters put the driver front-and-centre.

All GTs feature powerful Brembo brakes, which provided quick stops by any measure and fit in nicely within this class of high-performing sedans.

The Stinger also offers a significantly more comfortable rear seat than many cars in this class—and its advantage feels greater than its numbers would suggest.

KEY FEATURES:

• 2-way remote start
• SmartKey keyless entry/pushbutton ignition
• power seats (w/driver's memory)
• heated/cooled leather seats
• heated 2nd-row seats
• heated steering-wheel
• auto-fold power mirrors
• premium AM/FM/SXM/USB/Aux/BT stereo
• Android Auto/Apple