When Kia brought the Stinger five-passenger sport sedan to compete for the 2018 MotorTrend Car of the Year award, we were delighted with its capability, but the lineup suffered from an underpowered base engine. The Stinger is back to address that complaint with a new 2.5-liter I-4 that puts out 300 hp and 311 Ib-ft of torque. The power output represents an impressive 45-hp hike over the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder it replaces, and the new mill is more fuel efficient. Like its more luxurious Genesis G70 counterpart, the Stinger is a rear-drive car, and we appreciate its fun dynamics. You may also opt for the more powerful carryover 3.3-liter twin-turbo V-6, and the Stinger also has available all-wheel drive with torque vectoring. However, our testing this time around was limited to the new entry GT-Line model with rear-wheel drive. Judges appreciated the new base engine's additional output. Digital director Erik Johnson liked the smooth and flexible power-band but not the accompanying soundtrack. Overall, we were divided on the sound; some liked it, but others said it was grainy and coarse.
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