Kia Stinger Gray on Red

The twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 engine in the large Kia is one of the nicest motors in its class, smooth and strong from idle to redline. That’s not hyperbole; the car’s 376 pound-feet of torque kicks in at 1300 rpm and stays there until 4500 rpm. The V-6’s 368 horsepower is up from the previous year. You’ll notice the new active exhaust, which gives the Stinger a throatier growl under acceleration and makes shifting the eight-speed automatic transmission with the steering-wheel-mounted paddles more enjoyable. Another thing on our wish list was for a bit more input, a little more drama, and a little more interaction. The new soundtrack is unquestionably beneficial.

The interior was also updated. The main difference is the 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, which is an improvement over the previous 8.0-inch screen and has analog-tube-like stereo tuning visuals as well as the option to listen to pre-recorded sounds of a fireplace or, oddly enough, a crowded restaurant. The seats have new stitching, as well as some new trim pieces. But, for the most part, this is the same attractive and well-executed cabin we praised when the Stinger first debuted.