2019 Kia Stinger 330Si quick review

What is it?

The mid-spec Kia Stinger 330Si has been starved of attention by the range-topping Stinger GT. It lacks some of the GT’s kit, such as adaptive suspension and premium Nappa leather upholstery, but still has the same 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 and sharp looks while offering more than enough creature comforts to keep driver and passengers comfortable and entertained.

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How much is the Kia Stinger 330Si?

The Stinger 330Si is the mid-priced V6 version of Kia’s big sedan and retails for $55,990. It’s book-ended by the Stinger 330S and Stinger GT, which are priced at $53,990 and $59,990 respectively.

Each of the three specs is available with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine – the Stinger 200S ($46,990), Stinger 200Si ($49,990), and the Stinger GT-Line ($55,990) that shares the same equipment and trim levels as the GT, but with the less powerful engine.

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The Stinger 330Si comes equipped with forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay Android Auto, 8.0-inch infotainment screen, LED daytime running lights, leather trimmed seats. It’s also covered by Kia’s seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

Is the Kia Stinger 330Si easy to live with?

The Stinger’s sporty looks and punchy twin-turbo V6 engine belie the fact that this is a big, comfortable and practical family car.

The interior is well put together with plenty of soft surfaces and touchpoints, and the front and rear leather-trimmed seats feel snug and provide comfort over long distances. The driving position is excellent.

Rear headroom is a little tight because of the swept roofline, though that’s not really an issue with three kids in the back. However, you’ll probably have to bend down more than usual in order to strap them in.

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That roofline also eats into the boot volume, which at 406 litres is tight for a large car. There is plenty of space between the boot lip and rear seats, though, and folding the seats down extends the load area to 1114 litres.

The infotainment system, which you’ll find in all newer Kia and Hyundai models, is simple to use and pairs easily to your smartphone via Bluetooth or Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The controls on the steering wheel and the dashboard buttons are also intuitively laid out.

The twin-turbo V6 drinks premium unleaded petrol at a rate of 10.2L/100km on the combined fuel economy cycle, according to official figures. On our highway-centric trip, we saw 11.3L/100km.

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Does the Kia Stinger 330Si drive well?

The Kia Stinger 330Si performs the sports sedan/comfortable family car double act with aplomb.

Kia Stinger gets a second exhaust option, tyre upgrade

The twin-turbo V6 is still surprisingly quick, thanks in part to its launch control system and ability to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds. The sedate engine noise doesn’t quite match the performance, though that’s probably more of an issue for GT buyers.

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It’s also an excellent tourer, handling highway speeds with little effort.

The eight-speed automatic transmission does its job well, but does tend to shift up a gear and reduce revs a little soon when you put the foot down, even in Sport mode. There are paddle shifters to take over manually, should you prefer revs to get closer to redline.

The electrically-assisted steering feels direct. It stiffens up in Sport mode while feeling slick at low speeds in Comfort.

Despite lacking the GT’s adaptive dampers, the 300Si’s ride is actually better, thanks to the smaller 18-inch wheels (the GT has 19s) and Aussie-tuned steel-sprung suspension that’s not as busy and offers an excellent compromise between ride comfort and cornering.

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The active cruise control changes speed seamlessly but could do with the company of lane keeping assist, which is included in the Stinger GT.

Verdict

The 330Si arguably offers the best value in the Stinger line-up in terms of price, features and performance. The $4000 premium to upgrade to the GT is low enough to lure buyers to the top of the range, but pocketing the change and leaving the showroom with the Stinger 330Si shouldn’t lead to any regrets.